The Licensing Supervisor is responsible for ensuring the licensing department meets the agency and state expectations and goals. The Licensing Supervisor works with other child welfare supervisors and staff in the department to address the needs of children and families and manages and directs program operations. The Licensing Supervisor oversees and evaluates program staff, directly supervising the licensing team. The licensing supervisor works with agency staff as well as DHHS and other entities to address system issues and concerns.

• Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet the program goals and objectives set by the Child Welfare Director and the Executive Leadership team.
• Establish and enforce norms and best practice models that operate within the rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by the State of Michigan’s DHHS, MCHS, and accrediting bodies. The Director of Licensing will establish and maintain department systems, records, and reports as well as recommend, develop, and implement new approaches, policies, and procedures for continued improvement of department services.
• Operate within the guidelines of the Employee Handbook, Programs Operations Manual, and DHHS Policies and Procedures.
• Uphold and enforce the policies and procedures outlined in the foster care parent’s handbook with staff and foster parents.
• Oversees licensing renewals and rulings to ensure ongoing compliance with all agencies, state, accreditation, contractual and legal obligations, and requirements.
• Complete intake and re-placements as needed for the child welfare department.
• Acts as staff expert on adoption and foster care licensing/certification rules, re-licensing, complaints and adverse rulings.
• Assists with adoption and foster care caseloads as needed.
• Develop and monitor the agency’s recruitment and retention plan.
• Maintain oversight and responsibility for recruitment, orientation and training of potential foster parents.
• Collaborate with foster care and adoption, and with other departments within the agency as well as with external governing agencies and the community.
• Ensure licensing staff operate within the requirements of their job duties; provide guidance, training, assistance and support to staff when needed, including planning, staffing performance, management, professional development, adjusting workloads as necessary and addressing and resolving complaints to create a climate of teamwork and motivation.
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of a formalized orientation of new hires within the department; develop a training program with a curriculum that includes core competencies, knowledge and skills that are necessary for the licensing staff to be successful in their roles.
• Develop departmental structures and processes to hold staff accountable to standards established by state agency policy, practice and programming.
• Work in communication and collaboration with other supervisors in carrying out the philosophy, vision and mission of the agency.
• Operate programs in a fiscally responsible manner by adhering to budgets, controlling expenses, maximizing revenue, and complying with all agencies fiscal policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, implement, manage, monitor, and modify short- and long-term program initiatives.
• Maintain essential records as needed.
• Ensure that all programming, policies, and procedures comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• As needed, represent the agency to outside groups and organizations, including businesses, community, and volunteers.
• Fully participate in regular agency-wide events and appropriate community-wide events and activities.
• Partner with the child welfare leadership team on all operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations based on child welfare analysis and projections.
• Demonstrate commitment to the social sector with a passion for MCHS’s mission and vision.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Child Welfare and the Executive Leadership Team.

Education and Experience:
The Licensing Supervisor will be an experienced leader with a broad child welfare experience, ideally beginning in foster care and/or licensing, followed up with knowledge and understanding of other child welfare programs and services offered throughout Michigan.

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in human behavioral science or in another major where 25% of the course credits earned toward the degree are in human behavioral sciences and 1 year of experience as a social service worker in an agency, or a child caring institution, or in an agency in a child welfare function. OR

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human behavioral science, or in another major where 25% of the course credits earned toward the degree are in human behavioral sciences, and 4 years of experience as a social service worker, 2 years of which are in an agency or in a child caring institution, or in an agency in a child welfare function.

• Five (5) years’ experience as a supervisor in a social services agency required.
• Child Welfare Training Institute Supervisory training required in Foster and Adoptions. Licensing Certification and Complaint Training required.
• Must meet the State’s Moral Character standard.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Computer and software applications (All MS Office, LMS, CWLM, and MiSACWIS)
• Principles and practices of social work, including the NASW Code of Ethics or related fields of study/profession.
• Policies and procedures related to child welfare.
• Family and child dynamics.

Skills and Abilities Needed:

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with agency staff and government officials.
• Demonstrate leadership and integrity.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work; identify the best people for the job.
• Manage time and multiple priorities; meet deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Be collaborative and flexible, with a strong service mentality.
• Attend training and travel offsite for meetings and seminars.
• Possess a high degree of personal accountability, responsibility and independent decision-making abilities with the skills to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures of the organization.
• Work flexible hours, when needed, which may include some evenings and weekends.

IV. JOB SETTINGThe work environment described here is representative of that which an employee will typically encounter during a normal shift. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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MCHS is an equal opportunity employer where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics as established by law. This policy extends to all policies and procedures related to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Furthermore, this description is a summary of the responsibilities, duties, skills, experience, abilities, and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list and may be changed at any time at the discretion of the CEO and the Leadership Team. Employment is still considered at-will in which MCHS or the employee may with or without notice, with or without reason terminate employment. MCHS reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.