Regional Licensor; SHPC

Regional Licensor (SHPC2)

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

Location: While the assigned office is in Kelso, WA (711 Vine, Suite 2; Kelso, WA 98626) your official duty station could be determined based on the nearest DCYF Office location to you.

Closes: Thursday, August 27th, 2026

Salary: $64,512 - $86,688 Annually

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the safety and well-being of children and youth in out-of-home care? Join the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Regional Licensing team as a Social & Health Program Consultant 2 (Regional Licensor). Our team values collaboration, professional growth, and a supportive work environment. This position offers variety, autonomy, and opportunities to use your strong problem-solving and communication skills while supporting safe, stable, and nurturing care for children and youth.

This position offers a flexible work environment with telework options, and office location is negotiable based on availability.

The Opportunity: As a CPA Regional Licensor, you will provide licensing oversight and consultation for Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) to help ensure compliance with applicable Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and DCYF policy. You will collaborate with child welfare staff, CPA staff, providers, and community partners to promote consistent licensing practices, assess compliance with licensing standards, and support the health, safety, and well-being of children in out-of-home care.

This position may require travel statewide to conduct CPA-specific site visits. In this role, you will also apply DCYF's commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice by recognizing and respecting the strengths, cultures, values, and lived experiences of families and providers.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide direction to providers in assessing and improving the health and safety of children in out-of-home care, interpreting Washington policy and statute governing licensing functions, and correcting deficiencies to maintain licensure.
• Provide direction in the development and monitoring of agency policies and procedures to ensure WAC requirements are met and the health, safety, and service needs of children in out-of-home care are addressed.
• Explain department policies and provisions of law to Child Placing Agencies (CPAs), families, individuals, and community members.
• Participate in case staffings and multidisciplinary/multi-agency staffings, and coordinate with intra- and inter-agency organizations.
• Consult with agency management and staff on program development and improvement and provide assistance to providers to support retention, when appropriate.
• Process complaints and coordinate investigations of licensing violations in private agency foster homes; assess risk to the health and safety of children, determine compliance with licensing regulations, and determine investigation findings.
• Evaluate complaint information to determine the degree of risk and need for emergent response; issue compliance agreements and monitor programs for compliance.
• Complete semi-annual health and safety program reviews, which may include site visits, file reviews, and interviews with children and staff; prepare comprehensive reports as necessary.
• Initiate adverse licensing actions, when necessary, in consultation with the Regional Licensing Supervisor and support preparation for licensing actions and administrative hearings.
• Represent the Department and provide testimony at hearings concerning licensing adverse actions.
• Utilize Fam Link/WACAP and other licensing systems to document activities, maintain provider records, update assigned licenses, and ensure licensing information is current, complete, objective, factual, and timely.
• Maintain documentation and correspondence using Microsoft Word and provide copies of correspondence and files in accordance with DCYF Public Records policies and procedures.

What we are looking for:

• One (1) year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 1 OR Social Services Specialist 2
• OR
• A master's degree (or higher) in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, AND one (1) years of professional experience in professional level Child Placing Agency licensing and/or Foster Home licensing and/or Home Study, Licensing Investigation and evaluating facts to recommend for management action or decide compliance with program guidelines and regulations.
• OR
• A bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field; AND two (2) years of professional experience in professional level Child Placing Agency licensing and/or Foster Home licensing and/or Home Study, Licensing Investigation and evaluating facts to recommend for management action or decide…