LICENSING SPECIALIST - FOSTER CARE - 60020879

Requisition No: 862823 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: LICENSING SPECIALIST - FOSTER CARE - 60020879

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60020879 

Salary:  47,500.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/31/2025 

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                                                                          LICENSING SPECIALIST - FOSTER CARE 

                                                                         Department of Children and Families

                                                                           NORTHEAST REGION VACANCY 

Licensing and Compliance Oversight

• Review licensing and re-licensing packets for compliance with Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code.

• Conduct licensing visits to Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) and Child Caring Agencies (CCAs).

• Ensure all required documentation (e.g., background screenings, training, personnel and children’s files) meet licensing standards.

• Complete initial site visits to determine licensure eligibility for new CPAs and CCAs.

• Develops and monitors corrective action plans for CCAs and CPAs in accordance with policies and procedures.

Support and Technical Assistance

• Assist lead agencies, applicants, prospective CCAs, CPAs, and community partners with licensing inquiries.

• Provide technical assistance to provider agencies and licensing staff outside the Lead Agency’s contract.

• Assist in crisis intervention as necessary.

Data Entry and Systems Management

• Enter and maintain accurate data in FSFN/CCWIS and the Child Welfare Services Information System.

• Commence Foster Care Referrals timely, report findings in Florida Safe Families Network ensuring that all work is thoroughly documented.

Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP)

• Collaborate with Lead Agency and subcontracted providers on GAP-related issues (e.g., payment enhancements, exceptions, denials).

• Participate in quality improvement efforts related to GAP and Level 1 licensure.

Quality Assurance and Incident Tracking

• Conduct on-site reviews, file reviews, and evaluate statistical reports for program improvement.

• Track and review institutional abuse reports on CCAs and CPAs ensuring each is properly staffed and assessed for licensing implications.

• Manage quality assurance process and provide crisis intervention when licensing concerns are present.

Legal and Administrative Support

• Participate in legal staffings involving abuse reports, licensing concerns, or criminal charges tied to foster parents, guardians, or providers.

• Attend appeal hearings and provide testimony as needed.

Collaboration and Statewide Initiatives

• Engage in statewide meetings focused on foster care licensing, group care licensing, and the guardianship assistance program.

Other Duties

• Perform additional related duties as requested.

Work Location Requirement

• The candidate selected for this position must reside in the Northeast Region of Florida.

• This is not a telework position; the incumbent will be required to report in person to a Department of Children and Families (DCF) office located within the Northeast Region.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree 
• Child welfare certification from the FCB preferred
• A minimum of 2 years experience in Child Welfare preferred
• A minimum of 1 year experience in foster home licensing preferred
• Computer skills to include, but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), Florida Safe Family Network (FSFN), Internet
• Ability to travel throughout Region preferred

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in social services related area of study.  Related areas of study include, but are not limited to: Human Services, Education, Human Sciences, Law, Behavioral Sciences, Human Development, Psychology, Social Policy, Sociology, Public Administration, Education, Community Development, Health Science, Political Science.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.