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Licensing Specialist

SOCIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR III

Recruitment #24-002052-0002

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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. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. 

Two full-time contractual positions.
  
 

GRADE

18

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Human Services
Office of Licensing and Monitoring
746 Frederick Road
Catonsville, MD 21228

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. This position also recommends re-licensure for existing agencies through quarterly announced and unannounced inspections to ensure that agencies adhere to COMAR 07.02.21, COMAR 07.05.01-04, COMAR 07.05.04, and COMAR 14.31.05-07 in providing services to children placed outside of their homes. The protection of vulnerable children is a key component of the DHS mission statement. This position requires a graduate degree in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and hold Maryland State Social Work licensure.

POSITION DUTIES

  • 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. Provides technical assistance and social work consultation. Ensures compliance with state policies and directives in licensed programs’ (both licensed by and/ or contracted with DHS) day-to-day operations. Makes recommendations for prospective child placement and residential child care agencies for licensure by Maryland Department of Human Services.
  • 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. Completes other internal and external assessments as may be directed by the Secretary.
  • 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  on-compliance issues as related to potential risk and severity to youth. Assesses  whether entities have taken appropriate and timely corrective action regarding recommendations and violations; conducts follow-up and analysis of open findings and recommendations identified by significance of risk.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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, four years must have been in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity.

Notes:

1. These requirements are established by the Social Service Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article 4-204 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits does not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

2. Candidates 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 in the Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare field of work on a year- for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following:
    Two years of experience monitoring agency compliance and/or enforcing COMAR regulations in a human service agency.
    Four 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.

    SELECTION PROCESS

    Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. This cert list may be used to fill future vacancies. 

    All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date.

    BENEFITS

    Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

    Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

    FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

    The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Employment Services, Attention: Stacey Nelson, 25 S. Charles Street, Room 1116- L, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

    If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please email Stacey Nelson at stacey.nelson1@maryland.gov; include the job title and recruitment # in the subject line.

    If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-7855 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

    TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

    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. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.




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