Level 2-5 Licensing Specialist

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough County is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

• Participate in the implementation of licensing and placement functions of the contracted providers.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for foster care and placements.
• Identify System of Care needs and provide technical assistance to the subcontracted agencies as needed.
• Perform programmatic monitoring and review of all licensing packets, exit interviews, Case Manager Review of Foster Parents, Foster Parents Review of Case Managers, and waivers for over capacity homes.
• Oversee recruitment and retention activities for foster care system.

Qualifications

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee recruitment and retention activities for foster care

• Monitor subcontracted providers for compliance with annual goals of initial homes licensed
• Monitor subcontracted providers for compliance with retention of no less than 85% of existing foster homes annually
• Monitor subcontracted providers for compliance with annual recruitment and retention plan

2. Technical Assistance

• Identify technical assistance needs and provide guidance and training as needed for subcontracted providers
• Provide technical assistance on federal and state laws, rules, and programmatic and procedural issues as related to licensing and placements

3. Complaint/Abuse Tracking and Reporting

• Review all complaints and abuse reports pertaining to foster care reports
  • Review 100% of complaint and abuse reports within 24 hours of receipt
• • Follow up on complaint and abuse reports
  • Review 100% of follow up reports within 24 hours of receipt.
  • Coordinate and conduct monthly staffings as required to include subcontracted agencies, DCF representative and foster parents. Develop and track corrective action plans when it is determined one is required.

4. Exit Interviews Tracking

• Responsible for generating monthly reports of exit interviews that are due from each subcontracted provider.
• Monitor timely completion of exit interviews.
• Review completed exit interviews and provide follow-up as deemed necessary.

• Case Manager Review of Foster Parents/Foster Parents Review of Case Manager

• Responsible for generating monthly reports of case manager and foster parent reviews that are due from each subcontracted provider.
• Monitor timely completion of case manager and foster parent’s reviews.
• Review completed case manager and foster parent reviews and provide follow-up as deemed necessary.

6. Initial Licensing files, Relicensing Files, Relocation Files

• Responsible for completion of file review of all incoming licensing files.
• Provide follow-up to sub-contracted providers to assure compliance and quality of all files to meet State and federal guidelines.
• Complete attestation for files to recommend or deny initial licensure and relicensure.
• Track all due dates for file submission and provide monthly list to subcontracted agencies.
• Track and provide follow-up to DCF as requested.

7. Overcapacity Waivers/Placements

• Review completed waivers and provide follow-up as deemed necessary.
• Attend bi-monthly placement staffings to monitor and provide technical guidance and assistance for all children in shift care and all at risk placements.

8. Training

• Identify and provide quarterly calendars to identify training resources for foster parent in-service training.
• Monitor and assist with coordination of quarterly Pre-service orientations and pre-service training.
• Oversee foster care training activities conducted by the subcontracted agencies.

9. Develop and implement System of Care procedures

• Develop new policies and procedures as needed
• Update existing policies and procedures to ensure their consistency and compliance with statutory and Administrative Code changes within ninety (90) days of their effective date.
• Maintain master file of policies and procedures
• Stay current with Federal and State Laws, rules and best practices

10. Performance Reporting

• Prepare and analyze monthly management and performance reports.
• Provide State and Federal reports as required or requested.

11. Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested

Working Hours

CNHC’s believes in work life balance for all employees. This is an in-office position, Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm averaging forty (40) hours per week. Working hours may vary based on business needs.

Training

All employees must complete fifteen (15) hours of on-line or classroom Training on an annual basis. If the employee is a Certified Child Welfare Professional, Training hours must total twenty (20) annually.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has supervisory responsibilities for the subcontracted agencies licensing and placement units.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, sociology, or related human services degree; and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in child welfare is required.
• Official transcripts are a mandatory requirement

Skills and Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for building relationships with prospective foster parents, understanding their needs, and effectively conveying expectations. Organizational and time management skills are critical for handling multiple cases, conducting home studies, and meeting deadlines. The ability to assess and evaluate homes for safety and compliance with state and federal regulations requires keen attention to detail and analytical skills. Emotional intelligence and empathy are vital to understanding the experiences of families and children while maintaining professionalism and objectivity. Knowledge of child welfare policies, licensing procedures, and trauma-informed care practices is crucial for ensuring compliance and supporting the well-being of children in care. Additionally, problem-solving abilities, cultural competence, and adaptability are essential for addressing challenges and fostering inclusive and supportive environments for diverse families.

pre-employment requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Driver’s license check is a requirement
• No special certification or registration is required for this position
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening is a requirement
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

Other Requirements

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, board of directors, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Analytical reasoning skills allow specialists to assess home environments, evaluate the suitability of prospective foster parents, and interpret compliance with licensing standards. Problem-solving abilities are essential for addressing challenges, such as identifying and mitigating potential risks in a home or guiding families through the licensing process. Critical thinking helps in analyzing diverse information sources and making fair, objective judgments while maintaining the child’s best interests as the priority. Additionally, logical reasoning is key for organizing evidence, crafting detailed reports, and making recommendations based on findings. Emotional and ethical reasoning further aid in understanding the nuances of family dynamics, cultural considerations, and trauma-informed practices, ensuring thoughtful and compassionate decision-making.

Physical Demands

The physical demands of this position are generally moderate. The role may require extended periods of sitting, standing, and using a computer. Occasional lifting of office supplies, files, or materials up to 25 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Work Enviroment

This is an in-office-based position focused on administrative work, where the noise level may be moderate. This role may involve occasional travel among agency locations, extended periods of computer work, and frequent interactions across multiple departments. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

ADA: Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO: Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.

Remember: If you are currently an employee of Children’s Network of Hillsborough Florida, LLC, or one of our Case Management Organizations, it is necessary that you notify your current Supervisor, prior to applying.