Licensing Specialist - Social Services Specialist IV

Posting number: IHA 02276 07/29/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OCYF - Child Welfare

Job classification: Social Services Specialist IV

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Accounting and Finance, IT and Computers, Child Support, Human Services, Statistics/Mathematics, Business, Communications, Mathematics, Child Care, Database Administration, Payroll/Benefits Administration, Financial Aid & Services

Summary

This position is open to current Colorado residents only


The position is located in the Division of Child Welfare, Provider Services Unit. The Division is responsible for the ongoing implementation of child welfare services in Colorado and supervises county departments of human/social services in the administration of Child Welfare programs, as well as privately operated 24-hour child care facilities. The
Provider Services Unit exists to license, manage, supervise, and provide statewide oversight for privately operated 24-hour childcare facilities and agencies, to include Residential Child Care Facilities, Secure Residential Treatment Centers, Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs), Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs), Homeless Youth Shelters, Specialized Group Homes and Centers, Child Placement Agencies, Adoption Agencies, Respite Child Care Centers (RCCC), and Day Treatment Facilities across the State of Colorado. The goals of the unit are to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the youth served in those facilities. The work unit is responsible for comprehensive integrated (Interagency) licensing and monitoring of the 24-hour child care facilities and for auditing and investigating reports/allegations involving licensing violations, facility or agency culpability, and ensuring the safety of children in out-of-home placements using Volume 7 rules and regulations, the Licensing Act, and all other applicable rules and statutes.

Examples of duties

This position is deemed 100% Remote Work.

This position is a pacesetter in the field who has a unique level of technical expertise in creating the landscape for the creation of collaboration with licensed Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) and carve-out populations who are exempt from the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), such as specialized group facilities and other residential facilities, and the design of policies, procedures, and regulations impacting residential settings. Management routinely relies on the essential consultation of this position before deciding essential, wide-ranging critical program policy or direction to ensure residential practice is in compliance with required standards and to determine fidelity to federal requirements and best practices for youth placed in QRTPs, pregnant and parenting teen programs, programs designed to address youth who
have been victims of trafficking, and independent living programs for youth between 18 and 21 years of age.

This position implements the Division’s audit process to include sample reviews, technical assistance and training, issuing reports of inspection, issuing fines, authorizing licensure, and recommending adverse action against a facility, agency, or clinic. This includes researching and staying up-to-date on areas related to FFPSA such as independent assessment of youth admitting into QRTPs, oversight by medical and clinical professionals, development of discharge and aftercare plans, and compliance with Federal Institutes of Mental Disease Act as well as influencing policies, procedures, and requirements related to FFPSA and federal requirements for QRTPs, specialized group facilities, and residential settings serving carve out populations. This position identifies and recommends opportunities for improving standards of practice for programs to
meet operational expectations. This position ensures that youth are receiving safe and adequate care and treatment by evaluating the physical plant, treatment planning, staff and care provider qualifications, training, and supervision, as well as financial stability, interviews with youth in care, and required corrective actions. This position is also responsible for handling and safeguarding confidential information regarding youth in care, as well as for specific provider staff background checks.

Summary of Job Duties:

Licensing of Agencies and Facilities and Technical Assistance - Provide or research options for and coordinate technical assistance to licensed facilities and agencies in order to support the delivery of quality care to youth and to increase their compliance with State and Federal rules, with particular focus on child protection and safety. Oversee and
direct providers to improve programming to ensure the safety, care, and well-being of children in placement. This position is a technical assistance expert for the Division of Child Welfare in the areas of licensing, child care/child welfare, and treatment planning related to these populations. Serve as the staff authority on child care and child welfare
treatment and the protocols necessary to assure resident safety and well-being. This position is recognized as a staff authority specific to the Licensing Services Team and will be responsible in regard to background check practices as it relates to all facilities licensed by the Provider Services Unit. Management relies on this position’s expertise for determining best practices for obtaining and reviewing background records for all staff members, foster parents, adults over the age of eighteen years living in foster homes, and volunteers working directly with children/youth in agencies licensed under the Provider Services Unit.

Evaluate the quality of programming, practices and policies, and compliance with providers of out-of-home care; specifically, conduct building and site inspections, ensure staff and care providers are supervised and trained according to their individual needs and the needs of the youth served in the facility or agency, assess treatment planning, observe milieu, assess quality of home study evaluations, assess behavioral interventions utilized by facilities, examine medication administration requirements, examine restraint and/or seclusion practices, examine financial documentation to ensure stability of agencies and facilities and that the needs of the youth are being met, and conduct interviews with staff, foster families, and youth to determine quality of care provided.

This position researches and stays up-to-date on areas related to adoption practices, such as implementation and fidelity to the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) standards and implementing national standards and safety as they relate to foster care settings overseen by licensed Child Placement Agencies as well as private domestic and intercountry adoption settings. This position provides support to the other Licensing Specialists with regard to private adoption services provided within the Unit’s licensed facilities and agencies.

Corrective Action - Compile and interpret data on patterns of provider deficiencies or gross incidents of non-compliance with Volume 7 in order to determine when adverse licensing actions is warranted. Provide documentation and testimony in summary suspension situations and other adverse action cases. Issue expert opinions, as authorized by the Division of Child Welfare, on child protection and safety that occur within agencies and facilities in order to prompt further actions by other entities within the Department and in the provider community. Advise management on action steps necessary to rectify ongoing concerns and violations at agency and when adverse action is indicated. Provide follow-up and increased on-site licensing until provider deficiencies are resolved and abuse/neglect or other safety concerns are alleviated.

Stakeholder Involvement - Participate in the development and implementation of integrated and consistent licensing protocols within the Division of Child Welfare as well as with other divisions and stakeholders, including Administrative Review Behavioral Health Administration, Office of Behavioral Health, and the Division of Youth Services. Consult as necessary regarding these protocols with county departments of human services, and other government agencies including the Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Education, Colorado Department of Public Safety, Department of Regulatory Agencies, Health Care Policy and Finance, Department of Early Childhood and the Office of Management Improvement. Develop, test, and refine review instruments in order to assure that the Department's child safety concerns are addressed. Ensure that facility self-assessment tools are developed, treatment standards are detailed in rule, and integrated (interagency) processes are maintained and enhanced. Provide licensing technical consultation and assistance to all Divisions responsible for out-of-home child placements to develop new rules, statutes, or revise rules in order to improve county and provider performance and to assure children’s health, safety, and well-being. Initiate Volume 7
rule revisions and updates to reflect current practice and statute changes.

Position is relied on to be the expert opinion on how Volume 7 is interpreted and implemented, and when Volume 7 rules need to be modified to reflect changes in evidence-based practices and research publications. Identify when policy or rule revisions to Administration as a result of developing corrective action plans with facilities and agencies in which licensing visits reveal consistent and willful deficiencies

Licenses, Continuation, and Renewals Approval - Evaluate and license programs both for initial and ongoing licensure. Evaluate programs initially to determine the most appropriate license type to serve the populations the provider seeks to support. Thoroughly analyze policies and procedures, behavior management and discipline, staff qualifications, medication administration, and plans for educational, community, and recreational activities, treatment and services to be provided, and site compliance and quality via inspections and interviews. Ensure that facilities meet mandatory requirements of external entities that also oversee facilities: CDPHE, zoning and planning, and fire departments. Conduct reviews at minimum annually, reviewing staff and youth files to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. Complete reports of inspection to identify rule violations. Ensure agency response and timely correction of violations

Other Duties as Assigned - All other duties as assigned by leadership within the Division of Child Welfare.

Qualifications

Experience Only:
Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR

Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7)
years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology.
• Two (2) or more years of work experience related to human services or licensing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child welfare policies and practices, residential best practice standards, and
• licensing regulations and statutes.
• Experience in an advisory or consultative role.
• Proven ability to direct research, analyze, and report on complex issues.
• Outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communications; ability to adapt a style to fit audiences of
• varying technical levels, and at various levels within an organization, in groups and individual settings. Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative partnerships and effective working relationships with a variety of internal
• and external customers and diverse public and private stakeholders.
• Demonstrated proficiency working collaboratively with internal teams; and national, state, and
• community partners.
• Knowledge of Volume 7 Rules and Regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge working in CCCLS, TRAILS, I-LINX, and multiple databases and scanning systems.
• Applied Behavior Analysis work with children/youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Intellectual and
• Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Conditions of Employment

• Full Background  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• Travel –  This position currently works 100% remotely from home address and will be required to use a personal vehicle for frequent travel to the CDHS office, assigned agencies/facilities, and other identified locations for the purpose of related primary job duties as assigned. This position may be required to complete overnight travel and infrequent extended travel within the State of Colorado. Auto insurance is also required. 
• Other –  This position is designated as remote.  Employees must maintain a home office, internet, and possibly phone service. 
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements. 

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process 

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.  You must complete the official State of Colorado online application.  Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process.  Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review 

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. 

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.     

Supplemental Questions 

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or 

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental information

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact stacy.chinea@state.co.us

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. 

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

<span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span>

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support