Licensing Specialist; Social Service Administrator III

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve.

At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation and ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

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

• 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 child care, personnel, and foster parent records of In-State facilities.
• Analyzes quality and investigative assessments of programs and procedures by conducting on-site inspections, reviewing contractual and performance data, interviewing stakeholders and performing comparisons of data with peer programs, and industry research and analysis.
• 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, corrective action plans and program support with affected and interested stakeholders, including internal and external municipal, state, and federal agencies and their staff.
• 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 quarterly assessment reports supported by sufficient, relevant evidence and documentation.

• Education:
  
  A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Experience:
  
  Seven years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, with four years in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.
• Qualifications may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Social Work classifications or social work specialty codes on a year-for-year basis.

• Two years of experience monitoring agency compliance and/or enforcing COMAR regulations in a human service agency.
• Two years of experience in 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.

• Must be licensed by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license in the State of Maryland.

• Health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost.
• Personal Leave – six personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – at least thirteen holidays per year.
• Pension – credit towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Veterans are thanked for their service.