JOB TITLE: Licensing Specialist (Initial and Re-Licensure)

SUPERVISED BY: Licensing Supervisor (Initial or Re-licensure)

DEPARTMENT: Licensing Department

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITY:

Responsible for conducting reviews of initial and/or current foster care licensing files to ensure compliance with regulations, process and track overcapacity waivers. Helps to resolves foster care licensing concerns as they arise. Deals with a diverse group of important external clients and internal contacts at all levels of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize diversified workload.

EXAMPLE OF ACTUAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for providing excellent quality customer service and ensuring the performance and compliance of families assigned for initial licensure or for yearly re-licensure and to ensure the development and retention of quality foster homes.
• Compliance with established procedure to review and evaluate each applicant, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), as required by state and federal guidelines to make recommendations based on assessment to issue or deny a license.
• Abide with time sensitive requirements for yearly re-licensure of homes and for the initial submission of prospective foster families’ initial licensure file.
• Support retention strategies to reduce placement disruptions and to increase foster parent satisfaction.
• Actively participate in regular supervision and in the Licensing Department’s meetings to support efficient and effective team work, collaboration within a solution-oriented approach to address barriers and challenges.
• Responsible for timely submission of data for monthly statistical reports.
• Timely communication of concerns or incidents reported or observed related to a foster home or child(ren) in foster placement potentially impacting child well-being and/or child safety to immediate supervisor or designee as per established procedure.
• Participates in the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Program.
• Contributes to multi-cultural sensitivity within the agency and in the community.
• Compliance with requirements of child welfare certification to ensure certification remains active.
• Maintains database related to target dates to ensure timely submission of assigned foster families licensure file, requests for waivers, foster care referrals and placement HOLDS; details compiled and reviewed during regular supervision with immediate supervisor.
• Ensures timely completion of comprehensive foster home studies based on the strengths and needs of the foster families.
• Ensures initial and/or re-licensing files are aligned with Citrus Family Care Network policies and procedures and in compliance with the related DCF administrative code and Florida Statutes.
• Displays understanding of and sensitivity to service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Assists in crisis intervention to foster care parents and caregivers, as necessary.
• Assists to help analyze, develop and interpret data concerning foster parent recruitment and/or retention rates, satisfaction with the overall licensing process and foster parents’ experience.
• Assures timely and quality submission of all relevant work product.
• Ensures quality assurance check on all work product including licensing packets.
• Must be available for consultation after hours and on weekends.
• Travel throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe counties as needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a related field, combination of child welfare experience and other unrelated degree may be considered. Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in licensing activities related to child care, foster care, residential care, child regulatory programs or other child focused programs.
• Knowledge and experience with statues for licensing 65C13, 65C14, and 65C15.
• Certified Child Welfare Professional for area of work; licensing.
• Familiarity with the Florida Child Welfare Practice Model and knowledgeable in Child Welfare electronic system of record (FSFN).
• Strong knowledge of HIPAA guidelines, and superior understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
• Highly developed Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity is required.
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation software, including Word, Excel, and other MS Office products.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to follow timelines and meet deadlines.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve, make decisions and implement plans.
• Ability to work in a teamwork atmosphere as well as independently.
• Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Ability to assist in crisis intervention with children and caregivers, as necessary.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Available for consultation after hours and on weekends.
• Able to travel throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe counties as needed.
• Commitment to lead with an exemplary customer service approach with consumers and all other stakeholders.
• Ability to recognize personal skills, abilities, limitations and strengths, taking appropriate action to pursue activities for professional development and seeks assistance from others in a proactive manner.
• Creates a solution-oriented team approach fostering open dialogue and accountability.
• Ability to analyze data, prioritize multiple priorities, identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Attends mandatory in-service trainings within required dates as defined by policy and procedure.
• Ability to successfully communicate with Lead Agency staff and other pertinent parties in a consistently respectful and professional manner.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• foster care licensing: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Child Welfare Credential (CWPI, CWCM, or CWLC)? (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Miami, FL 33128