Job Description

Requisition No: 870614

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: LICENSING SPECIALIST - CHILD CARE - 60070705

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60070705

Salary: $34,760.00

Posting Closing Date: 03/09/2026

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This is professional work protecting children in Child Care homes and Facilities, working with Child Care Operators, and conducting investigations of alleged Licensing violations, in the Department of Children and Families. Candidate will be hired at the Entry Level starting salary of $34,760.00. Candidate will be hired at the entry Level starting salary of $34,760.00.

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Examples of work performed:

*Makes contacts with Child Care Operators to Monitor, Regulate, Investigate and Licensed

*Responds to allegations of Licensing standard violation

*Opens, maintains and closes files related to Child Care operations

*Explains child care licensing processes to prospective operators & current operators

*Explains rights and responsibilities to operators and families they service

*Reports indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to Florida Abuse Hotline

*Performs related work as required

Note The examples of work as listed are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position. Examples of work performed are not to be used for allocation purposes.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Ability to manage and resolve conflicts, grievance, confrontations or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact

Displays high standards of ethical conduct

Ability to identifies problems, determine safety in the child care setting and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate adequacy of safety in the child acre setting to make recommendations

Ability to maintain composure and perform effectively under stressful conditions

Ability to leverage the information available even if all the facts are not provided to make the best decision possible. In addition, having the ability to adjust one’s actions in relation to other’s actions

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems and customer satisfaction evaluation techniques

Ability to manage one’s own time

Knowledge of professional ethics relating to Social Services, Child protection and Counseling

Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques

Ability to conduct risk and safety investigations

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures

Ability to actively listen to others

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to maintain well-executed case files

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Ability to utilize computer systems

Ability to write clear and accurate investigative reports

Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA’s) above represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional KSA’s may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.

Minimum qualifications:

Lives in Gainesville

Current valid driver's license

Owns a personal vehicle and must have full insurance coverage

A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university

At least 1-4 years of child care related experience(s)

Examples of child care related experience include: work in a community based agency, social services, child care or day care, child welfare agency, law enforcement working with child safety, school teacher or counselor, and others as deemed appropriate

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.