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Turn your associates degree and experience in childcare or education into a long-term career in human services - become a Re-Licensing Specialist with Kids Central Inc.

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you with an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central, we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However, sometimes children and their families need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

We’re looking for talented individuals that will excel as Licensing Specialists.

We have opportunities for talented individuals to excel as a Licensing Specialist. Opportunities are available in Initial and Re-Licensing areas. Candidates may indicate preference on application.

The Initial Licensing Specialist is the primary point of contact for licensed foster homes and those in the process of being licensed. The incumbent is also responsible for accurately and in accordance with strict timeframes, completing and submitting initial licensure and re-licensure packets to the Department of Children and Families, along with recommendations for approval or revocation of license. The incumbent will also be responsible for completing adoption home studies and submitting them along with a recommendation for approval or denial.

The Re-Licensing Specialist is the primary point of contact for licensed foster homes and is responsible to accurately and in accordance with strict timeframes, completing and submitting the re-licensure packet to DCF, along with a recommendation for approval or revocation of license. The incumbent is also responsible for investigating and making recommendations for resolving all incident reports, foster care referrals, exit interviews, and Licensing concerns related to existing foster homes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - INITIAL LICENSING:

• Develop timely and complete licensing packets for prospective new foster homes, which includes attending PRIDE classes upon request to become familiar with the family, conducting a minimum of two home visits to the prospective home for initial assessment; assisting prospective foster parents in completing all licensing and background screening paperwork; evaluating background information; evaluating and assessing all family members, household members and backups/sitters for inclusion in the initial licensure foster home study. The expected timeframe for initial packet submission to the Licensing Supervisor is within 30 days of the family completing PRIDE class, unless an exception is made by the Supervisor or Director.
• Screening prospective foster/adoptive parent applicants to include reviewing preliminary paperwork and completing background screening.
• May conduct Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) or other approved pre-service training to prospective foster/adoptive parents in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties.
• Assist the Kids Central Placement Department and Family Care Managers in determining appropriate foster parent and foster child matches.
• Back-up the Placement Specialist in the actual placement of children during occasional weekend coverage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - RE-LICENSING:

• Create re-licensing packet for submission to DCF, which includes: one home visit to assist foster parents in completing paperwork, assess and evaluate all household members and temporary alternate caregivers/sitters for inclusion in the home study, complete background screening process for new members of the household
• Conduct minimum of quarterly home visits to all foster homes in the caseload (approx: 30 homes)
• Conduct an ongoing assessment to ensure a family’s skills, training, household composition, etc., are suitable for their licensed capacity, and complete paperwork, as necessary, to increase or decrease capacity
• Act as liaison between foster parents and family care managers
• Respond to Foster Care Referrals and complete assessment

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with community events
• Participation in PRIDE classes and Foster Parent Orientation
• Participation in Foster Parent Association meetings
• Other duties as assigned

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training, Years of Experience:

• Master’s degree preferred with one year of experience in child welfare or human services. Bachelor’s and/or associate's degree in human services or related field with two years’ experience in child welfare. If the degree is in an unrelated field, one must be eligible for a waiver. Eligible college or university degrees must be awarded by an institution accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Federal Department of Education and/or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The college or university must have been accredited at the time the degree was awarded.

License/Certification/Special Requirements:

• Child Welfare Certification is preferred but not required at time of hire. Must obtain and maintain certification in good standing within one year of employment.
• Must maintain a clear criminal background and driving record.
• Must have a valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by the agency’s current insurance carrier
• Must successfully clear Level II Background Screen

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and applicable statutes
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite and FSFN)
• Ability to work occasional weekends and nights (from 10 pm Friday to 8 am Monday or 10 pm to 8 am Monday-Thursday) to cover Placement
• Ability to multitask and solve problems
• Ability to travel locally up to 75%
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in an office environment but will also be required to visit other settings such as a client’s home, court, or other agencies. The noise level is usually moderate.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”. Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties. We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect. Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law. Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V