Licensing Specialist

Licensing Specialist

Job no: 5113387

Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)

Location: Chesapeake, Virginia, Hampton, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Categories: Health and Human Services

Title: Licensing Specialist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $68,000-$77,625

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central Office

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is seeking two experienced professionals to serve as Licensing Specialists in the Eastern Region (Region V). This position will provide regulatory technical assistance and conduct statute mandated inspections and investigations of licensed developmental disability, mental health and substance use disorder providers to ensure individuals receiving care and treatment are receiving services consistent with the Rules and Regulations For Licensing Providers by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services [12 VAC 35 - 105] and the Regulations for Children's Residential Facilities [12VAC35-46].

The position will monitor provider compliance by reviewing complaints and reports of serious incidents and conducting inspections and investigations. Duties include issuing and modifying licenses and reviewing requests to modify services. Based on reviews, the Licensing Specialist will provide regulatory technical assistance to providers on how to comply with applicable regulations, as well as how to develop and implement systemic corrective actions for areas found not in compliance. Based on regulatory compliance, the LS will recommend licensing actions. This position is a field position requiring frequent daytime travel and infrequent overnight travel. It will be based in the Eastern part of Virginia (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Western Tidewater, Eastern Shore & the Middle Peninsula) and is approved for 100% telework. However, staff must be available for onsite office meetings/special projects, as requested by OL, at the DBHDS Central Office located in Richmond, Virginia. It's strongly suggested that applicants live within a 30-40 mile radius of the region, in order to meet the duties and demands of the position. A valid, unrestricted driver's license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Commonwealth's Driver Safety Program are required.

Minimum Qualifications

Understanding of clinical assessments and how they tie to service plan development and implementation. Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders, mental health diagnoses and/or developmental disabilities. Administrative, management and/or quality assurance experience with public and private service delivery systems. Experience in interpreting regulations and policies. Ability to develop professional relationships as a foundation for providing guidance and discussing potential concerns with providers, along with the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Considerations

Regulatory experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position is eligible, however not guaranteed, for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.


For consideration, interested applicants must apply by completing the online application and/or submit a resume. However, emailed, faxed, and hand-delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m., on the listed closing date. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.


DBHDS welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the U.S. For more information on how to seek this authorization, please refer to Working in the United States or contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office directly.


For any technical assistance with the jobs.virginia.gov website, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Contact Information

Name: ShaKiera Miles

Phone: N/A

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io - Inquiries Only/No Submissions, to include resumes.

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 14 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 23 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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