Licensing Specialist

Partnership-For-Strong-Families-Inc; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Partnership-For-Strong-Families-Inc seeks a Licensing Specialist to assess, educate, and support families through the foster licensing process. The role involves conducting home studies, interviews, and background checks, while ensuring regulatory compliance and safety standards.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in psychology or social work, and Florida driving privileges. CPP certification within 12 months is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a closely related field.
• CPP certification or CPP eligibility is required or preferred.
• Possession of a valid State of Florida driver’s license at hire and ongoing.

Responsibilities

• Assess prospective foster and kinship families to determine licensure eligibility.
• Conduct home studies, family assessments, interviews, and background checks.
• Educate and prepare foster parents on licensing responsibilities and requirements.
• Facilitate pre-service and ongoing training for potential foster families.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records in agency databases.
• Ensure compliance with licensing standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Foster licensing

Home studies

Record keeping

Regulatory compliance

Interviewing

Training facilitation

Cultural competency

Trauma-informed care

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology or social work

Tools

Case management software

Job description

The Licensing Specialist is responsible for licensing, training, and supporting families throughout the licensing process. This position reports to the Licensing Supervisor.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSAssess 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 population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.Perform additional duties as assigned to support foster care licensing and child welfare program objectives.Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s 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 driver’s license to operate the motor vehicle operated. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.Preferred Qualifications:Master’s 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 a Child Protection Professional (CPP) certification within twelve (12) months of appointment.