Kinship Support Licensing Specialist

Easter Seals Blake Foundation•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Kinship Support Licensing Specialist conducts the foster care licensing process with kinship families, identifying barriers and providing consistent support to help expedite licensure. The role guides families through licensing requirements, interviews, documentation, resources, pre-service training, home studies, inspections, and ongoing licensing support. The specialist maintains accurate family files and ensures required materials and timelines comply with contract requirements, agency standards, and Arizona regulations. The position works with kinship providers, the Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR), the Department of Child Safety (DCS), agency colleagues, and community organizations. It may also involve home assessments, referrals to support programs, and assistance with adoption certifications and guardianship annual review reports. This is a field position involving visits to homes and other locations, alongside work in a normal office environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of experience working with kinship caregivers; alternatively, one year of combined experience, education, and/or volunteer work providing services, support, advocacy, case management, family engagement, or resource coordination for kinship caregivers, foster families, or child welfare-involved families, or experience as a foster or kinship parent.
At least 21 years of age.
Current, unrestricted Arizona driver's license, with no more than two minor moving violations or one accident within the past three years.
Three years of driving experience.
Transportation for daily visits, trainings, and other work-related activities; organizational vehicles may not always be available.
Pass a criminal background check before employment and regular checks throughout employment.
Ability to obtain and maintain an Arizona DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card.
CPR and First Aid certification.
Clear/negative pre-employment drug test and clear/negative biennial random drug tests from the date of hire.
Knowledge of foster care licensing rules, regulations, initial applications, renewals, and amendments.
Ability to take initiative, work toward specific goals, and manage multiple projects, requests, and deadlines simultaneously.
Outstanding customer service skills, tact, discretion, and attention to detail.
Ability to exchange accurate information and communicate effectively in speaking and writing.
Ability to work independently and teach others using anticipatory guidance, modeling, coaching, reflection, and role-play.
Ability to build strong partnerships with staff, consumers, and community service agencies and to work collaboratively with colleagues.
Ability to acknowledge, respect, and build upon family diversity, including race, ethnicity, family constellation, gender, socioeconomic status, values, and traditions.
Ability to recognize abuse and/or neglect in the home.
High level of computer proficiency, including PDF and Microsoft Office, Calendar/Outlook, and Teams.
Knowledge of the foster care system, family systems, strength-based home visiting techniques, and child and adolescent development and behavior.
Working knowledge of the impact of domestic violence, sexual abuse, child neglect, and substance abuse on families and children.
Ability to perform the described physical and communication duties, with or without accommodation, including lifting office equipment and materials up to 50 pounds; reading screens and forms; communicating verbally and hearing in person, by phone, and electronically; typing and writing; stooping, squatting, reaching, pulling, pushing, stretching, using stairs, and standing or sitting for long periods.
May be required to work additional hours or days depending on circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Bilingual Spanish.

Responsibilities

Guide kinship families through the licensing process by reviewing requirements, conducting interviews, collecting documentation, providing resources, delivering pre-service training, and completing home studies for submission to the State of Arizona.
Conduct initial and ongoing home inspections for foster care licensure and assist families with Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR) Life Safety Requirements.
Identify opportunities to submit waivers to OLR to help expedite the licensing process.
Maintain complete and current family files, ensure documentation meets contract and Chapter 6 requirements, and submit required licensing materials accurately and on time.
Conduct monthly and then quarterly visits to monitor progress, provide support home visits as needed, and meet home study and licensure timelines.
Conduct amendments and renewals on licensed homes within contract requirements and timelines.
Conduct licensing investigations as requested by OLR and the Department of Child Safety (DCS).
Provide initial licensing and ongoing training to kinship providers.
Contact and schedule appointments with DCS-referred families within contract-required timeframes.
On occasion, conduct initial home visits to identify needs and provide resources; complete interviews and write kinship family home assessments within required timelines; assist with enrollment in support programs such as WIC, TANF, fingerprinting, behavioral health services, and educational support; and assist with adoption certifications and guardianship annual review reports.
Participate in Aviva events as needed.
Participate in ongoing professional development and meetings.
Maintain comprehensive communication with agency contacts, members, and external agencies.
Model professional standards and ethics in accordance with the EBF Code of Conduct, Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision.
Perform other duties as assigned.