Clearance Supervisor, Bureau of Childcare

Clearance Supervisor, Bureau of Childcare

The Bureau of Child Care ensures that child care services in New York City operate in compliance with the New York City Health Code and New York State Social Service regulations and are licensed or permitted as required by law. The Bureau routinely monitors child care programs to protect the health and safety of children while in the child care environment and actively works to improve and expand access to high quality programs which support early childhood development and learning. The Bureau seeks to hire a Supervisor of Central Clearance Unit to ensure compliance with legislative mandates to conduct comprehensive background checks for child care staff. Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Provide citywide education, outreach, referral and technical assistance to operators and staff of child care centers, home-based child care programs, after school programs and summer camps regarding background clearances necessary to attain, renew or maintain a license to provide services that are necessary to protect the health and safety of children while in the child care environment.
• In accordance with the Child Care Development Block Grant and NYS requirements to implement background checks for child care operators, compose eligibility letters and conduct related outreach to providers and staff of child care programs regarding clearances and the interpretation and proper reporting of clearance results.
• Develop and coordinate community resources, and perform liaison functions between Child Care Providers, City and State agencies, community groups, parents and the general public regarding Child Care licensing rules and regulations.
• Liaise with group child care providers in order to ensure that they are following the laws outlined in the Child Care Compliance Guide and assure families that these child care providers are protecting and promoting their children's safety, health and a nurturing early education environment.
• Engage in full oversight for the coordination of daily communication with group child care and school-based child care programs regarding compliance with the requirements of Article 47 and Article 43 of the NYC Health Code regarding health and safety guidelines and best practices in child care settings.
• Assign, supervise and evaluate the work of the child care clearance administrators and their level of community interfacing and engagement with the child care providers and their staff regarding comprehensive background checks that are necessary to facilitate their operations, as well as renewal of childcare permits. This process includes but is not limited to reviewing the Criminal history repository, Sex offender registry, and Child abuse or neglect repository for childcare providers, their assigned staff, and volunteers.
• Responsible for the maintenance of confidential records pertaining to child care providers for all investigations performed. Review clearance requests for and ensure accuracy of data release.
• Conduct presentations at community meetings and health fairs and conduct information sessions to promote the importance of choosing licensed providers, and to assist parents in making informed child care decisions, and also encourage reporting of illegal operations.

Preferred skills:

• Excellent oral written interpersonal communication skills;
• Highly organized, strong attention to detail and solution oriented;
• Dedication to customer service;
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment;
• Working knowledge of child care regulations desired but not required;
• Experience with data entry and querying large datasets a plus

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment. Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund. A public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement. A tax-deferred savings program and a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise. Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers! Commitment to Equity: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of satisfactory, full-time experience as an investigator evaluating credit worthiness, searching for assets, verifying information concerning education, experience, and other personal qualifications bearing upon character and fitness for employment, or performing investigations involving the research, compilation and/or location of evidence or information in order to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature; or
• 2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
• 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
• 4. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.

55a Program:

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.

Residency Requirement:

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.