Child Care Specialist

This position is essential to the administration of the OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning) subsidized child care program and is responsible for the management of a caseload of active clients, performing redeterminations of eligibility in accordance with DHS regulations, policies and procedures.

• Manage a caseload of clients receiving subsidized childcare funding, including processing client applications and annual redetermination of client eligibility based on State regulations.

• Exhibit knowledge and understanding of the four funding sources used to pay for subsidized child care.
• Exhibit knowledge and understanding of the application process, the low-income waitlist and basic eligibility requirements for subsidized childcare funding.
• Prepare for, resolve issues prior to, and/or participate in Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA) appeal hearings.
• Collaborate with Fiscal staff to resolve any enrollment discrepancies reported by childcare providers on monthly Attendance Invoices.
• Prepare documentation for recoupment of overpayment of subsidy.
• Complete referrals to the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) for instances of suspected welfare fraud.

• Exhibits sensitivity to cultural/economic/educational differences in client and provider populations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Human Services, or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience involving interviewing and/or casework.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional telephone and interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of DHS regulations in 55 PA code Chapter 3041 Subsidized Child Care Eligibility a plus.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of specific software packages and search engines.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and Outlook.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.