Program Coordinator - Child Care Regulations

Please note: The salary range listed in this job description is a base salary. Applicants eligible for years-of-service adjustments or shift differentials may exceed salary range listed above.

Job Location: The candidate will be expected to work out of one of the existing regional offices located in Raytown, Macon, Springfield, Jefferson City, Chesterfield, or Cape Girardeau. Click here to view the regional office locations.

Why you’ll love this position:

Welcome to DESE’s Office of Childhood! This new office provides a comprehensive approach to childhood care and education in Missouri. It includes programs related to child care, home visiting, early learning, and early intervention for children birth to age five, as well as afterschool programs for school-age children. The Office of Childhood is responsible for overseeing DESE’s efforts to expand and improve high-quality early learning opportunities.

• Supervise and support staff within the Regulations Section, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Assist in drafting, interpreting, and revising child care regulations, policy manuals, and public-facing materials to ensure clarity and compliance with state statutes and federal requirements.
• Manage assigned contracts by overseeing compliance, monitoring performance metrics, coordinating with vendors or service providers, and ensuring deliverables are met in accordance with contractual terms, timelines, and budgetary guidelines.
• Assist with regulatory status determinations for child care programs that may qualify for exemption across the State of Missouri.
• Assist in the development of new child care application systems, as well as enhancements to and maintenance of existing child care application systems.
• Assist with processing child care director certification requests.
• Support the identification and delivery of training needs for Child Care Compliance and Regulations staff to promote consistency and regulatory understanding.
• Coordinate with the Child Care Compliance team to ensure alignment and accuracy of materials impacting child care providers statewide.
• Lead or support the implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) procedures to enhance consistency and effectiveness in rule enforcement.
• Set and manage priorities, adapt to rapidly changing situations, and effectively handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff, other state and local agencies, and the public to support regulatory goals and initiatives.
• Demonstrate effective communication and organizational skills.
• Interpret laws and regulations.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, special education, early childhood education, child development, social/human services, human development and family studies, or other related field from an accredited four-year college or university with one or more years of work in the field of child care licensing, elementary education, special education, early childhood education, child development, social/human services, human development and family studies, or a related field.

OR

• Five or more years of work or technical experience in the field of child care licensing, elementary education, special education, early childhood education, child development, social/human services, human development and family studies, or a related field, or experience in the provision of child care in a licensed family or group child care home, or a licensed or exempt child care center.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

If you have questions about this position please contact: hr@dese.mo.gov

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at (573) 751-9619, through Missouri Relay System at (800) 735-2966, or via email at hr@dese.mo.gov .

Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Director of Civil Rights Compliance and MOA Coordinator (Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADAAA/Age Act/GINA/USDA Title VI), 7 th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-522-1775 or TTY 800-735-2966; fax number 573-522-4883; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.



To Our Applicants with Disabilities: For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at (573) 751-9619. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service (800) 735-2966.

Notice to Applicants: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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• State of Missouri

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