licensing specialist

Requisition No: 865134

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: LICENSING SPECIALIST - CHILD CARE

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number:

Salary: agency to update

Posting Closing Date: 01/01/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Title: FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELOR

Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

Agency: Florida Department of Children and Families

Working Title: FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELOR

Salary: $38,000

Monday -Friday (8-5pm)

Roles/Responsibilities

• This is a professional position specializing in counseling, casework, and administrative activities in Child Care Regulation, responsible for inspecting and licensing Family Day Care Homes, Large Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Facilities within established time frames.

• Conducts inspections for childcare homes and facilities to monitor compliance with Florida Statutes and Child Care Regulation standards. Maintains tracking system to ensure inspection timeframes are met and the correct number of inspections are completed annually.

• Processes initial and renewal applications, including background screening clearances and training as required by statute, determines eligibility and makes recommendations for licensure to supervisor/Licensing Manager.

• Investigates complaints on licensed providers and illegal childcare operations. Prepares reports and initiates administrative action as required by statute and/or Child Care Regulation Standards.

• Inputs and updates provider database, CARES, on a regular basis. Archive's inspections timely and monitors accuracy of data.

• Develops professionally by acquiring a proficient working knowledge of the applicable statutes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and community resources which provide the framework for the childcare regulation program.

Attains a high proficiency/skill level as demonstrated through the competent utilization of the program's hardware, software, system applications and web pages.

• Manage the progressive discipline and administrative action processes, which includes providing timely administrative complaint notifications to providers, keeping the information system current throughout the administrative action process and closing out each action timely and accurately.

• Responds to telephone and email inquiries and walk-in requests from the public, parents, other agencies and providers and provides accurate information on childcare programs. Consults with stakeholders and other clients regarding childcare regulation.

• Responds positively and timely to special assignments and performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

How you will make an impact

• Provide technical assistance and support to childcare providers to promote sustained compliance with Child Care Regulation standards and ensures corrective action requirements are met.

• Ensure the health and safety of children in Childcare licensed programs through on-site inspections and monitoring of Childcare Programs.

Qualifications:

• 2 + years of experience in the Child Care Industry (example: Classroom Teacher, Director, Paraprofessional)
• High School Diploma required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use a computer and knowledge of computer programs such Excel, Microsoft, Notepad, Outlook etc)
• The ability to have and utilize analytical and problem-solving skills to conduct on-site complaint inspections.
• Ability to write comprehensive and cohesive reports that are detailed and objective.
• Public Speaking a Must (utilize during hearings or presentations)
• Must possess the following qualities/ skills, time management, strong organizational, maintain confidentiality, ability to multitask, and adapt to changes.

Driver's License: Required

Education: N/A

Years of Experience: 2 or more years in the Child Care Industry

Career Posting Category: Career Service

Salary: $35,000

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement "See Resume" in place of entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit

Growth Opportunities:

With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Our jobs are among the most challenging, complex, and difficult in State government. They are also among the most rewarding. All employees are encouraged to take advantage of available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Where you will work:

Florida is the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In other words, no matter where you land in Florida, you're never more than 60 miles from a body of saltwater. And if the beach isn't your scene, there are 175 state parks to explore Meanwhile, Floridians hail from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life, making it an incredibly diverse melting pot that many residents and visitors to Florida love. The Sunshine State is a great place to live and work – Come join our team

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

• 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 , 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:

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: 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 also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, 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.

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 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 , 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.