Re-Licensing Specialist - Child Welfare

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you 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.

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, complete and submit re-licensure packet to DCF, along with recommendation for approval or revocation of license. Incumbent is also responsible to investigate and make recommendations for resolution of all incident reports, foster care referrals, exit interviews and Licensing concerns related to existing foster homes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 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 backups/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 (approximately 30 homes)
• Track foster parents' in-service training to ensure compliance
• Update quarterly abuse history checks for foster parents and assess results as necessary
• Conduct an on-going assessment to ensure a family's skills, training, household composition, etc. is suitable for their licensed capacity, and complete paperwork, as necessary, to increase or decrease capacity
• Complete move studies as required by DCF in order to amend a family's license due to a change in residence, and upon satisfactory inspection of the home by the Specialist, the Health Department and the Fire Department (Citrus County only)
• Assess requests to have a child moved to determine if a disruption staffing is warranted and participate in the staffing
• In the event of a significant weather occurrence, contact all foster parents to determine their whereabouts and ensure they are safe, and assess their needs
• Act as liaison between foster parents and family care managers
• Backs-up Placement Specialist in the actual placement of children during occasional weekend coverage
• Train foster/adoptive parents

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with community events
• 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 experience in child welfare or human services. Bachelor's degree in Human Services or related field with two years' experience in child welfare or human services. If degree is in an unrelated field, 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 preferred but not required at time of hire. Must obtain and maintain certification in good standings 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 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
• Ability to work occasional weekends (from 10pm Friday to 8am Monday) to cover Placement
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve
• Ability to travel locally up to 50%
• 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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