Level 2-5 Licensing Specialist

Children's Network of Hillsborough; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, LLC is seeking a dedicated professional to manage licensing and placement operations for foster care programs in the Tampa area. You will lead recruitment/retention efforts, provide technical guidance on regulatory requirements, and ensure timely handling of complaints and reports.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least two years in child welfare, with strong leadership, communication, and data-driven decision-making

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, or related human services field.
• Minimum two years of experience in child welfare.
• Official transcripts are mandatory.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and data-driven decision making.
• Proficient in project management.
• Adaptable to fast-paced environments.
• Strategic planning and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment and retention activities for foster care.
• Provide technical guidance to subcontracted providers on laws and policies.
• Review complaints and abuse reports; ensure timely follow-up.
• Generate monthly reports of exit interviews and reviews.
• Track licensing files and ensure compliance with guidelines.
• Coordinate bi-monthly placement staffings with agencies and foster parents.
• Develop and implement System of Care policies and procedures.
• Prepare monthly management and performance reports.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Teamwork

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, or related human services

Job description

Job Details

Location: Buschwood - Tampa, FL 33618

Salary Range: $23.80 - $25.72 per hour

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 the foster care system.

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 an action 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.
5. 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, sociology, or a related human services degree.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in child welfare.
• Official transcripts are mandatory.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, fostering collaboration across all organizational levels.
• Strong aptitude for analytical thinking and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Proficient in project management, adept at handling multifaceted initiatives.
• Highly adaptable to fast‑paced and dynamic environments.
• Strategic planning expertise and commitment to fostering teamwork.

Pre‑employment Requirements

• Valid driver’s license with proof of insurance.
• Driver’s license check is required.
• No special certification or registration required for this position.
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) by local law enforcement and FBI/FDLE.
• Drug screening is required.
• 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 to assess home environments, evaluate suitability of prospective foster parents, and interpret compliance with licensing standards. Problem‑solving and critical thinking for addressing challenges and making objective judgments.

Physical Demands

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.

Work Environment

This is an in‑office position with occasional travel among agency locations. The role involves frequent computer work and interactions across multiple departments.

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 or access to programs.

Drug‑Free Workplace

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