Job Description

Requisition No: 868253

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: LICENSING SPECIALIST - SAMH - 60006149

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60006149

Salary: AGENCY TO UPDATE

Posting Closing Date: 01/16/2026

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TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION.

The successful applicant for this position will be a Substance Abuse Licensure Specialist and will personally help ensure substance abuse treatment services are safe and follow all laws, rules, and regulations.

When individuals enter substance abuse treatment, it’s a critical time in their lives because they are emotionally and often physically vulnerable. When treatment programs do not follow the proper procedures, their clients can be hurt or worse.

Substance Abuse Licensure Specialists are focused on the health, safety, and welfare of fellow Floridians and thousands of out-of-state clients who come to Florida seeking substance abuse treatment each year. A Licensure Specialist is:

• Auditor
• Technical assistance provider
• Negotiator
• Client advocate

In addition, the substance abuse programs’ Licensure Specialists work with all the unique treatment programs available in Florida. These establishments range from very small programs with less than five employees to large organizations with more than 50 employees on multiple campuses. Also, some programs focus on indigent clients with few financial resources while others cater to clients who can pay for services with insurance or with their own funds. In short, every provider (and every day) is different.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

To meet this challenge, Licensure Specialists work diligently to complete the following tasks:

• Responsible for licensing, monitoring, and evaluating substance abuse treatment programs regulatory compliance using Chapter 397 F.S., Chapter 65D-30 F.A.C., and CFOP 155-31 as guidance documents.
• Review provider applications, monitor substance abuse provider locations and license providers yearly per licensing standards.
• Generate Monitoring reports and corrective action reports as required.
• Develop proficiency with the Provider Licensing and Designation System (PLADS).
• Monitors licensure and fine payments are entered into PLADS.
• Responsible for the oversight of the designation/re-designation of the Baker Act Receiving Facilities assuring regulatory compliance under Chapter 394 F.S., and 65E-12 F.A.C. as assigned.
• Skills include, but not limited to, time management skills, conflict resolution skills, cultural competency, customer service focused, ethical conduct, computer literacy, and strong communication skills.
• Contributes to statewide licensure calls conducted monthly.
• Attendance at a monthly statewide BA call
• Review all SA and MH IRAS reports of assigned providers to obtain additional information or investigate if needed.
• Collaboration as needed w/ community partners such as AHCA and the Managing Entity (EX: audits, investigations, complaints).
• Create and maintain community partnerships. Attend community and committee meetings as needed. Attend training opportunities designed to enhance skills and build on current knowledge.
• Participate in the review and scoring of local and state prevention grants
• Travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Knowledge
  • Knowledge of Chapter 397, F.S., and 65D-30, F.A.C.
  • Knowledge of behavioral health disorders (substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders).
  • Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health providers in the local community.
  • Knowledge of current substance abuse and mental health systems of care.
  • Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local substance use treatment laws, statutes, and regulations.
  • Knowledge of methods for compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Abilities
  • Ability to use computers, Microsoft Office applications, and other position required equipment.
  • Ability to develop methods for monitoring and evaluating quality of service and regulatory compliance.
  • Ability to travel in the local area frequently.
  • Ability to analyze and use information.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a business environment.
  • Ability to utilize problem solving techniques
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team depending on the situation
• Skills
  • Develop proficiency with the PLADS system
  • Strong negotiator
  • Effectively organize and prioritize work assignments
    

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (with a degree in human services, social work, or social sciences) or two to three years’ experience in the substance abuse treatment field (to substitute for a degree type) or one to three years’ experience in regulatory or contract auditing (to substitute for a degree type)
• Applicants must not have any disciplinary actions within the past twelve months
• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any candidate being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. No candidate may begin employment until the background investigation results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background investigations 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. Also, employees are subject to background re-screening at least every five years.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

“( Facility) is a tobacco free environment.”

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

About Department of Children and Families:

Mission:The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Vision:We are a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. In collaboration with community stakeholders, we will deliver world class and continuously improving service focused on providing the people we serve with the level and quality that we would demand and expect for our own families.

Values:A workforce that operates with integrity maintains loyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and accountability of results. Both within the organization and among our stakeholders, we thrive in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication. High performing and committed, we are unified in our goal of excellence in achieving quality outcomes for those we serve.

To learn more please visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
• The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.
• We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
• Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

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.

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.

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.