OHI Senior Social Services Specialist; IV

Job Location:

This is a rover position conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area. This position primarily covers Greene, Dallas, Wright, Webster, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark counties. There will also be occasional travel to assist in other areas of the State on an as needed basis.

The Children’s Division, Out-of-Home Investigation (OHI) Unit, has an opening for a Senior Social Services Specialist IV. This position is responsible for conducting child abuse/neglect investigations in out-of-home settings. The OHI Unit is responsible for CA/N investigations in residential facilities, day care facilities, public and private schools, and foster homes.

This position is responsible for conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area and other areas of the state as needed. This position requires travel primarily in Greene, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark Counties, as well as statewide travel as needed to fill in for other areas or for special investigations. The location of the successful candidate will determine the official base.

The person selected for this position should have child abuse/neglect investigation experience and be proficient with computer technology. They should be detail oriented and able to work independently. The person selected for this position must meet the qualifications for a Senior Social Services Specialist IV.

• This position will be responsible for conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area (Greene, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark Counties) as well as roving to other areas as needed for high volume, when other areas are experiencing staff shortages, or investigators in those areas are off work.
• This position will conduct out of home investigations in residential facilities, schools, daycare facilities, foster homes, and other out of home settings.
• This position will conduct OHI investigations in a professional, timely, and comprehensive manner while ensuring all the required policies, procedures, and statutes are followed.
• This position will co-investigate closely with Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) throughout the counties in which the OHI Investigations are conducted.
• This position will work closely with OHI leadership to identify, address, and communicate concerns or issues identified during OHI investigations to licensing entities.
• This position will manage high profile, complex, and/or challenging investigations while maintaining professionalism and sound judgement.
• This position will be required to work periodic on call shifts.
• This position may provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff working the most complex or challenging cases in OHI and assist other OHI Investigators when additional support is needed.
• This position would take on the role of assisting staff development at all levels as directed by OHI leadership
• This position will demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and decision-making skills while representing the agency in a professional manner.

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Nine or more years of professional experience with a public or private agency in the delivery of protective services, including casework/case management in: investigation of abuse or neglect; coordination of foster care, adoptions, and family centered services; treatment/rehabilitation; and/or providing in-home family crisis intervention services, and possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.

• One or more yearsof experience as a Social Services Specialist (III), Social Services Unit Supervisor or Senior Social Services Specialist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably a degree in Social Work or comparable human services field (Substitutions allowed); and,

Five or more years of professional experience with a public or private agency in the delivery of protective services including casework/case management in: investigation of abuse or neglect; coordination of foster…