Foster Care Licensing & Placement Specialist

Foster Care Licensing & Placement Specialist Location:

Lincoln, Nebraska Position Type:

Full-Time Starting Pay:

$22.00-$24.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and relevant experience. Make a Difference for Children and Families Jenda Family Services is seeking a Foster Care Licensing & Placement Specialist to join our Foster Care team. This position plays a critical role in supporting children and youth by helping recruit, license, and maintain quality foster homes while coordinating placements that meet the unique needs of children and families. The Foster Care Licensing & Placement Specialist serves as a bridge between foster families, children, state partners, and agency staff. This position combines foster home licensing, placement coordination, and foster family support to ensure children have access to safe, stable, and nurturing homes. At Jenda, we believe in supporting our employees so they can effectively support the families we serve. We offer a hybrid work environment, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative and mission-driven culture. Why Join Jenda? Hybrid work environment with a combination of office, remote, and community-based work. Flexible scheduling based on program and family needs. Mileage reimbursement for approved travel. Meaningful work that directly impacts children and families. Supportive and collaborative team culture. Professional development and advancement opportunities. Opportunity to build expertise in foster care licensing, child welfare, and placement coordination. Position Responsibilities Placement Coordination Receive and review child placement referrals from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Probation. Match children and youth with appropriate foster homes based on their needs, strengths, behaviors, location, and foster family capacity. Coordinate placement logistics and communicate with foster families, referral sources, case professionals, and community providers. Support foster families during placement transitions by providing available information and resources. Maintain accurate placement records and documentation in accordance with agency and state requirements. Coordinate respite care requests and assist foster families in identifying appropriate respite resources. Participate in placement staffing and case consultation meetings as needed. Licensing & Foster Home Support Guide prospective foster families through the licensing process, including orientation, training requirements, background checks, home studies, and required documentation. Conduct home visits and licensing assessments to ensure compliance with Nebraska foster care licensing standards. Complete annual relicensing reviews and maintain accurate licensing records. Monitor foster home compliance and assist families in maintaining licensing requirements. Coordinate and track kinship and relative home study assignments. Provide ongoing support, communication, and guidance to licensed foster families. Assist with foster parent recruitment and retention efforts. Collaboration & Program Support Collaborate with DHHS, Juvenile Probation, schools, service providers, foster families, and agency staff to support positive outcomes for children and youth. Assist in resolving placement and licensing concerns in a professional, timely, and solutions-focused manner. Maintain knowledge of licensing regulations, agency policies, provider contracts, and best practices in child welfare. Participate in agency meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities. Assist with special projects and program initiatives as assigned. On-Call Responsibilities Participate in the Foster Care on-call rotation. Respond to placement requests, foster parent concerns, and urgent situations outside of regular business hours. Provide support and consultation to foster families and agency staff during on-call shifts. Coordinate emergency placement needs and communicate with supervisors and community partners as necessary. Required Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, Sociology, or a related field. Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout the service area. Ability to successfully complete all required background checks. Preferred Experience in child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice, behavioral health, education, case management, family support, or related human services fields. Experience working with children, youth, and families. Knowledge of Nebraska child welfare systems and community resources. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Strong communication and relationship-building skills. Excellent organization and time management abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems. Work Environment This position includes a combination of office, remote, and community-based work. Frequent travel is required for home visits, foster family support, placement coordination, and licensing activities. Work schedules may vary based on program needs and participation in the foster care on-call rotation. Evening, weekend, holiday, and after-hours availability may occasionally be required. Jenda Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and supported.