Program Advisor, Licensing and Compliance

Consider a rewarding career with the Ministry of Education and join us in making a difference in early years child care in Ontario!

Are you interested in making a difference in providing regulatory oversight to Ontario's expanding licensed child care sector? Do you have experience interpreting and applying various legislation, standards and/or policies? Do you have ideas in helping us achieve our modern regulator principles? The Child Care Quality Assurance and Licensing Branch is seeking motivated and experienced individuals to provide guidance, ensure licensees comply with regulatory requirements, and build relationships with licensed child care providers across Ontario.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• Conduct site visits to inspect and assess compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and ministry policies
• Identify and address immediate health and safety concerns
• Analyze licensing issues, including the use of data analytics, make recommendations for corrective action and best practices to enhance the quality of care where appropriate
• Build relationships by providing information, guidance, and advice related to licensing requirements and program resources
• Liaise with various community agencies and stakeholders
• Follow-up on complaints and serious occurrences and facilitate issues resolution
• Participate in compliance and enforcement action, where applicable
• Participate on projects and project committees
• Other duties, as assigned, in helping us meet our modern regulator objectives

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You have a valid Ontario Driver's Licence (class G)
• You are able and willing to travel throughout the service area on a regular basis, as required

Specialized Knowledge and Experience

• You have demonstrated experience interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, standards, and/or policies in order to provide advice on and ensure compliance with the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and other relevant authorities (fire and health regulations, Ministry policies, etc.) within a modern regulator context
• Understanding of child development theories/practices and early years education/programming including special needs in order to inspect and provide advisory services to licensed child care providers

Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

• You are able to take risk-based approaches to assess and evaluate services/programs provided by child care operations against legislative requirements
• You can conduct inspections and investigate complaints from the public
• You are able to make recommendations on licensing, renewals, approval of new programs, compliance/enforcement action, and licensing revocation of operations
• You can effectively manage caseloads by taking risk-based approaches and using data analytics

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• You are able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various stakeholders (i.e. child care providers, community agencies, fire departments, public health, building inspectors, ministry staff, the general public, etc.)
• You have demonstrated competencies in connecting and building rapport with diverse clients/stakeholders with varied backgrounds and needs
• You can explain and provide advice on licensing requirements and legislation/regulations
• You are able to influence and encourage compliance by applying progressive compliance tools and activities, including education and awareness
• You have presentation skills to conduct community information sessions
• You have written communication skills to prepare clear and concise reports on licensing recommendation and inspection findings and proposed compliance actions
• You can prepare accurate licensing documents, draft communications to agencies, licensees, and the public

Computer Skills

• You are able to use portable technology while conducting on-site inspections
• You can use a variety of software (i.e. email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, etc), access databases and use analytics in guiding compliance activities