LICENSING SPECIALIST (SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR III)

State of Maryland; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) seeks a qualified professional to provide ongoing consultation, monitoring, and supervision for child placement and residential care agencies licensed or contracted by DHS, MDH, or DJS.

Responsibilities include licensing and monitoring for compliance with COMAR rules, conducting on-site visits, reviewing records, and coordinating corrective actions with DHS, MDH, DJS, and related agencies to protect vulnerable children.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
• Seven years of professional social work experience, with four years in admin/supervisory/consultative roles.
• Substitutions allowed: military service experience may be substituted year-for-year for required experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous consultation, monitoring, and supervision for licensed or contracted child placement and residential child care agencies.
• License, re-license, and monitor agencies for compliance with state policies; conduct on-site visits and inspections.
• Prepare quarterly assessment reports with evidence, data, and findings; coordinate corrective action plans with stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Writing skills

Active listening

Independent work

Team collaboration

Goal orientation

Education

Master's degree in social work

Job description

Introduction

�When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

GRADE

STD0018

LOCATION OF POSITION

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF LICENSING AND MONITORING 25 S. CHARLES STREET BALTIMORE, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

This position provides continuous consultation, monitoring, and supervision for Child Placement and Residential Child Care Agencies that are contracted and/or licensed by the Department of Human Services, Department of Juvenile Services or Maryland Department of Health to ensure that all vulnerable children in these departments are protected from further abuse or neglect.

POSITION DUTIES

Licenses, re-licenses, and monitors agencies for compliance with state policies and directives. Enforces COMAR 14.31.05-.07, COMAR 07.05.01-.04, and COMAR 07.02.21 as required by law, in all monitoring actions to include on-site scheduled and unannounced monitoring visits and inspections. Reviews child care, personnel, and foster parent records of In-State facilities. Analyzes quality and investigative assessments of programs and procedures by conducting on-site inspections, reviewing contractual and performance data, interviewing stakeholders and performing comparisons of data with peer programs, and industry research and analysis. Assesses regulatory compliance, facility operations, staffing qualifications, levels and schedule, fulfillment of intended service obligations and goals, operations safety, program implementation, and personnel qualifications for selected positions. Identifies exceptions and promulgates corresponding corrective action plans necessary to bring programs and procedures into compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. Assigns relative values to identified violations and noncompliance issues as related to potential risk and severity to youth. Coordinates assessments, corrective action plans and program support with affected and interested stakeholders, including internal and external municipal, state, and federal agencies and their staff including, but not limited to: DHS, Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Department Juvenile Services (DJS), Governor’s Office for Children (GOC), and child advocacy organizations, and case managers. Conducts complaint investigations of DHS licensed facilities and/or coordinates complaint investigations of other state licensed agencies contracted with DHS to ensure safety and well-being of children placed in Maryland’s licensed facilities. Prepares quarterly assessment reports in a clear and understandable manner, supported by sufficient, relevant and competent evidence that can include facility and equipment inspections, interviews with youth, internal staff, contractor staff, and others as appropriate, program evaluations, corrective action plans, interview and inspection notes and data sampling, audits work papers, written communication, comparative reports, flow charts, summary of findings, risk assessments, meeting notes, and other supporting and relevant documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying. Education: A Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education. Experience: Seven�years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, four years�must have been in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity. Notes: 1. These requirements are established by the Social Service Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article 4-204 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents. 2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or Social Work specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year- for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. Two years of experience monitoring agency compliance and/or enforcing COMAR regulations in a human service agency. Two years of experience in a Child Welfare programs. Two years of experience creating and submitting written reports or evaluations. Strong interpersonal communication, writing and active-listening skills. Ability to work independently, be an effective team player and focus on goals and results.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must be licensed by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. 2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties are required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with State of Maryland guidelines.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.