Licensing Specialist

Familysupport; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-based family support organization in Florida is seeking a professional to oversee the licensing of foster homes and ensure compliance with state standards. The role requires collaboration with caregivers and child welfare professionals, and emphasizes strong communication and organizational skills. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children and families.

Qualifications

• Prior experience with licensing and working with at-risk children preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and Florida Child Welfare Licensing Counselor certification required.

Responsibilities

• Provide completed re‑licensing packets to the Licensing Supervisor 50 days prior to license expiration.
• Complete quarterly visits with foster parents.
• Maintain accurate foster home records and ensure compliance with state standards.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication

Strong organizational and time management

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

Family Support Services (FSS) is committed to providing safety, stability, and quality of life for children by strengthening families within the community.

Job Summary

The major function of this position is the initial and relicensing of family foster homes and ensuring statutory licensing requirements and guidelines are met. The role assures that foster homes meet state standards, maintains and retains the homes, offers support to caregivers and coordinates services as needed. The position works in partnership with child welfare professionals from the Department of Children and Families, FSS, and subcontracted case management organizations and closely with the FSS placement team.

Responsibilities

• Provide completed re‑licensing packets to the Licensing Supervisor 50 days prior to license expiration for review prior to DCF submission and ensure timely completion and submission to DCF.
• Complete quarterly visits with foster parents.
• Contact foster parents within 48 hours of new placements and facilitate required services, following up with case management as needed.
• Contact foster parent pre‑service participants within 72 hours of assignment to begin initial licensing home study and packet completion.
• Notify placement/data of client placement activities (runaways, hospitalizations, moves) ASAP to ensure proper payment to foster parents.
• Complete follow‑up on deficient packets as directed (typically 24 hours to 5 days).
• Conduct in‑home visits for re‑licensing purposes.
• Maintain accurate foster home records and ensure all homes are in compliance with state standards.
• Provide documentation for evaluation / recommendation of foster home changes or closures.
• Attend Foster Home Association meetings on a scheduled rotation basis.

Other Duties

• Attend quarterly trainings and recruitment events as needed.
• Attend foster home related staffings as needed.
• Be available for foster parents to answer questions or provide support at all times.
• Treat foster parents, the public, and co‑workers with courtesy, respect, and dignity and present a positive public image at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Prior experience with licensing and working with at‑risk children preferred.

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration: Valid driver’s license. Current certification in First Aid and CPR is recommended. Florida Child Welfare Licensing Counselor certification is required for this position – active certification or ability to meet certification criteria.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Ability to

• Understand and commit to the FSS mission.
• Represent self and the organization in a professional manner with strong emphasis on customer service.
• Work independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with professionalism and respect.
• Work directly with caregivers to help them understand and meet licensure and benefit requirements.
• Understand and interpret Florida statutes, administrative rules, policies and procedures.
• Determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion within required timeframes.
• Work collaboratively with professionals inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrate personal leadership, integrity, ethical standards, and adherence to agency expectations and policies for professional conduct.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational and time management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Other Requirements

• Clear a Level II background screening.
• Clear a reference check.
• Clear a local background check from the county of residence.
• Clear a substance abuse screen.
• Provide a copy of all degrees prior to first day of employment.
• Clear a Motor Vehicles Records check and be insurable under the company’s automobile policy.
• Provide copy of automobile insurance and proof of minimum personal auto liability insurance ($100,000/$300,000) if deemed a driving risk.
• Clear an E‑Verify check to substantiate that the candidate meets DHS authorization requirements for work in the U.S. (for more information visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify).

FSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. FSS is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at [e-mail].