Licensing Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880793 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: LICENSING SPECIALIST - SAMH - 60073544

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60073544 

Salary:  47,5000 

Posting Closing Date: 08/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Title: Licensing Specialist - SAMH

This position is a regional position and will is in the Jacksonville Office.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION.  CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE OFFICE.

The successful applicant for this position will be a Substance Abuse Regulatory Specialist and will personally help ensure substance abuse treatment services are safe and follow all laws, rules, and regulations.

When individuals enter substance abuse treatment, it's a critical time in their lives because they are emotionally and often physically vulnerable.  When treatment programs do not follow the proper procedures, their clients can be hurt or worse.  

Substance Abuse Licensure Specialists are focused on the health, safety, and welfare of fellow Floridians and thousands of out-of-state clients who come to Florida seeking substance abuse treatment each year.  A Licensure Specialist is:  

• Auditor
• Technical assistance provider
• Negotiator
• Client advocate

In addition, the substance abuse programs' Licensure Specialists work with all the unique treatment programs available in Florida.  These establishments range from very small programs with less than five employees to large organizations with more than 50 employees on multiple campuses.  Also, some programs focus on indigent clients with few financial resources while others cater to clients who can pay for services with insurance or with their own funds.  In short, every provider (and every day) is different.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

To meet this challenge, Licensure Specialists work diligently to complete the following tasks:

• Responsible for licensing, monitoring, and evaluating substance abuse treatment programs regulatory compliance using Chapter 397 F.S., Chapter 65D-30 F.A.C., and CFOP 155-31 as guidance documents.
• Review provider applications, monitor substance abuse provider locations and license providers yearly per licensing standards.
• Generate Monitoring reports and corrective action reports as required.
• Develop proficiency with the Provider Licensing and Designation System (PLADS).
• Monitors licensure and fine payments are entered into PLADS.
• Responsible for the oversight of the designation/re-designation of the Baker Act Receiving Facilities assuring regulatory compliance under Chapter 394 F.S., and 65E-12 F.A.C. as assigned.
• Skills include, but not limited to, time management skills, conflict resolution skills, cultural competency, customer service focused, ethical conduct, computer literacy, and strong communication skills.
• Contributes to statewide licensure calls conducted monthly.
• Review all SA and MH IRAS reports of assigned providers to obtain additional information or investigate if needed.
• Collaboration as needed w/ community partners such as AHCA and the Managing Entity (EX: audits, investigations, complaints).
• Create and maintain community partnerships. Attend community and committee meetings as needed. Attend training opportunities designed to enhance skills and build on current knowledge.
• Travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Knowledge
  • Knowledge of Chapter 397, F.S., and 65D-30, F.A.C.
  • Knowledge of behavioral health disorders (substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders).
  • Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health providers in the local community.
  • Knowledge of current substance abuse and mental health systems of care.
  • Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local substance use treatment laws, statutes, and regulations.
  • Knowledge of methods for compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Abilities
  • Ability to use computers, Microsoft Office applications, and other position required equipment.
  • Ability to develop methods for monitoring and evaluating quality of service and regulatory compliance.
  • Ability to travel in the local area frequently.
  • Ability to analyze and use information.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a business environment.
  • Ability to utilize problem solving techniques
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team depending on the situation
• Skills
  • Develop proficiency with the PLADS system
  • Strong negotiator
  • Effectively organize and prioritize work assignments 
     

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (with a degree in human services, social work, or social sciences) or two to three years' experience in the substance abuse treatment field (to substitute for a degree type) or one to three years' experience in regulatory or contract auditing (to substitute for a degree type)
• Applicants must not have any disciplinary actions within the past twelve months
• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance: $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance.
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
  • (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Tuition waiver for public college courses.
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

• BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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. 

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. 

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.