Licensing Specialist SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR III

Main Purpose of Job

This position provides continuous consultation, monitoring, and supervision for Child Placement and Residential Child Care Agencies that are contracted and/or licensed by the Department of Human Services, Department of Juvenile Services or Maryland Department of Health to ensure that all vulnerable children in these departments are protected from further abuse or neglect.

Licenses, Re-licenses, and Monitors

• Licenses, re-licenses, and monitors agencies for compliance with state policies and directives.
• Enforces COMAR 14.31.05-.07, COMAR 07.05.01-.04, and COMAR 07.02.21 as required by law, in all monitoring actions to include on-site scheduled and unannounced monitoring visits and inspections.

Reviews and Inspections

• Reviews child care, personnel, and foster parent records of In-State facilities.
• Conducts on-site inspections, reviews contractual and performance data, interviews stakeholders, performs comparisons of data with peer programs, and conducts industry research and analysis.

Assesses Compliance and Safety

• Assesses regulatory compliance, facility operations, staffing qualifications, levels and schedule, fulfillment of intended service obligations and goals, operations safety, program implementation, and personnel qualifications for selected positions.
• Identifies exceptions and promulgates corresponding corrective action plans necessary to bring programs and procedures into compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
• Assigns relative values to identified violations and noncompliance issues as related to potential risk and severity to youth.

Coordinates Assessments and Investigations

• Collaborates with stakeholders, including internal and external municipal, state, and federal agencies and their staff including, but not limited to: DHS, Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Department Juvenile Services (DJS), Governor’s Office for Children (GOC), and child advocacy organizations, and case managers.
• Conducts complaint investigations of DHS licensed facilities and/or coordinates complaint investigations of other state licensed agencies contracted with DHS to ensure safety and well-being of children placed in Maryland’s licensed facilities.

Prepares Reports

• Prepares quarterly assessment reports in a clear and understandable manner, supported by sufficient, relevant and competent evidence that can include facility and equipment inspections, interviews with youth, internal staff, contractor staff, and others as appropriate, program evaluations, corrective action plans, interview and inspection notes and data sampling, audits work papers, written communication, comparative reports, flow charts, summary of findings, risk assessments, meeting notes, and other supporting and relevant documentation.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Seven years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, four years must have been in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience monitoring agency compliance and/or enforcing COMAR regulations in a human service agency.
• Two years of experience in a Child Welfare programs.
• Two years of experience creating and submitting written reports or evaluations.
• Strong interpersonal communication, writing and active-listening skills.
• Ability to work independently, be an effective team player and focus on goals and results.