Initial Licensing Specialist

Necco; Cincinnati (AR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Necco is seeking an Initial Licensing Specialist to lead recruitment and retention policies across all US locations. You will implement strategies, manage training programs, and ensure compliance with licensing requirements for foster homes.

The role demands strong communication, strategic thinking, and collaboration with communities, foster families, and staff to achieve timely placements and program quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 21 and eligible to work in the US.
• Degree in human services or social work from accredited programs.
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance where required.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and retention programs across locations in the US.
• Develop and implement state licensing training and home study processes.
• Collaborate with foster families, community partners and staff.
• Maintain accurate pipeline data and CRM records.
• Provide foster parent training and certifications per regulations.
• Support admissions from referral to first placement.

Skills

Strong communication

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field

Bachelor’s or Master’s in social work or related field

Driver’s license

Tools

CRM software

Proficient computer skills

Job description

Position Summary:

Necco has an opportunity for a career as an Initial Licensing Specialist. This position will add value to the company by lead, manage and direct Recruitment & Retention policies, procedures, and practices across all locations in the US. Responsible for creating and implementing recruitment and retention strategies and programs.

You should be accurately described as:

A happy warrior who thrives on leading from the front with strategic thinking. A solid communicator in search of decisions that deliver real results. A problem-solver, financial steward, and one who excels at collaboration. Ridiculously passionate about the company’s success, growth, and program quality.

Recruitment

• Ensuring targeted recruitment to meet current demand by utilizing data
• Carrying out the annual recruitment plan
• Mine existing and prospective parents for referrals
• Establish the Necco brand as a leader in foster care by educating the community and related organizations at events
• Build relationships with foster parents, local businesses, news media, churches, community organizations, and business leaders.
• Use data to collaborate with staff, foster parents, and community-based influencers to develop and implement ongoing recruitment methods
• Ensure the CRM reflects accurate and timely data regarding leads/opportunities and activities
• Utilize CRM to manage follow-up communication with prospective foster parents using phone, email, text, face-to-face, and direct mail
• Ensure inquiry responses are within 24 hours (excludes weekends)

Certification

• Lead the charge on the certification process as required by state licensing to include initial training, home study process and approval to be a foster home
• Maintain knowledge of current state regulations relating to foster homes
• Assess the family for ability to foster throughout the training and home study process
• Provide foster parent training classes for certification per state requirements
• Provide recommendations for needed training in growth areas
• Participate in the admissions process from youth referral to first placement
• Maintain all aspects of the foster parent record in the database
• Ensure the accuracy of pipeline numbers
• Working with the team on foster home capacity and utilization

Initial Training

• Manage all aspects of foster parent initial training
• Ensure training of Hobb’s principles of Re-Education and Necco culture

Corporate Citizen

• Provide (on a rotating schedule) on-call advisory and support to foster families, report and document activities
• Practice Ruthless Pragmatism
• Engage in peer-to-peer feedback
• Know and Live the Necco Corporate Culture Principles
• Embody the 3 essential virtues of Humble, Hungry and Smart
• Drive your Individual Performance Scorecard
• Adhere to and contribute to the Necco meeting structure

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Bachelor's degree in human services or related field (Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio)
• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in social work or a related human service field, or a Board of Regents degree with human service concentration, or a bachelor's degree and have completed department-approved training provided by the child placing agency (West Virginia)
• Bachelor's Degree or Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university (Tennessee)
  • The degree must be supplemented by at least 7 hours in behavioral sciences, such as social work, psychology, and sociology
  • One year of casework experience can be substituted for the 7 hours
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the human services field
• 100/300/100 Auto Insurance Coverage and Valid Driver’s license
• Experience with Training
• Excellent Computer Skills along with the ability to learn new skills and/or programs
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Successful completion of all required criminal background checks
• Travel/Training Willingness

At Necco, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment. We embrace individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse team fosters innovation and creativity, and we actively seek candidates from all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages to join our organization. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for employment and advancement to all qualified individuals, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.