Licensing Specialist

The Licensing Specialist is responsible for licensing, training, and supporting families throughout the licensing process. This position reports to the Licensing Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

- Assess prospective foster and kinship families to determine eligibility for licensure.

- Conduct home studies, family assessments, interviews, and background checks in accordance with state licensing regulations, agency policies and timeframes.

- Educate and prepare foster parents on the responsibilities, expectations, and requirements of foster care licensing.

- Facilitate pre-service training and other required training for potential foster families.

- Review and verify required documentation to ensure compliance with licensing standards and regulatory requirements.

- Perform initial and ongoing home visits to evaluate safety, suitability, and quality of care provided in foster homes.

- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records within agency databases.

- Stay current on child welfare laws, foster care regulations, best practices, and agency procedures.

- Prepare detailed reports, correspondence, and licensing recommendations for management and regulatory review.

- Ensure all foster homes meet health, safety, and child welfare standards prior to licensure and throughout the licensing period.

- Promote diversity, cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and child-centered practices in all licensing activities.

- Maintain professional relationships with foster families while upholding ethical standards and regulatory requirements.

- Uses a variety of questioning techniques to elicit information needed in order to form conclusions or make decisions.

- Fits pieces of information into a coherent whole or summary.

- Understands different views, expertise, and experience of others; understands the perspectives and limitations of other individuals and systems.

- Enters each home-study with an understanding of what must be accomplished to reach objective.

- Composes comprehensive foster home studies based on the strengths and needs of the prospective families.

- Prepares in advance for situations (i.e., home-visits, Pre-service training class, rehearses presentations).

- Thoroughly documents issues, questions, or concerns directly related to licensing foster homes.

- Displays understanding of, and sensitivity to, service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

- Perform additional duties as assigned to support foster care licensing and child welfare program objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelors degree in psychology, social work, or a closely related field.

- Child Protection Professional (CPP) certification or CPP eligible.

- Possession of a valid, State of Florida drivers license to operate the motor vehicle operated. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Masters degree in psychology, social work, or closely related field.

- Two (2) years of child welfare experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Special Qualifications:

- Must obtain certification as a Child Protection Professional (CPP) certification within twelve (12) months of appointment.