Youth Services Specialist; Service Coordinator

Join to apply for the Youth Services Specialist (Service Coordinator) role at State of Missouri
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Working with the Division of Youth Services is more than it seems. You will be working with staff to create a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment for youth in our day treatment and residential programs. To succeed in this position you will need to be empathetic, nonjudgmental, cooperative, encouraging, able‑bodied, professional, and respectful; you must be able to communicate clearly, honestly and openly.

We also offer a variety of great benefits including health, dental, vision, paid holidays, cafeteria plans, retirement, and more. Join us and help make the difference for our youth today!

The current rate for this position is $2,049.95 semi‑monthly. Individuals selected may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g., shift or time‑of‑service pay).

This is professional work in the coordination of comprehensive treatment and related services for youth placed with the Missouri Division of Youth Services. This position performs client assessment, classification, procurement, coordination, and evaluation of services to determine needed services.

• Develop a working relationship and therapeutic rapport with each youth and family.
• Update each family as needed on the youth’s progress and discuss family needs.
• Develop an integrated, individualized, comprehensive treatment plan to address each youth's needs, review the plan with the client, family, and designated service providers, and prepare updates.
• Evaluate youth's responsiveness to treatment plans continuously.
• Visit with youth and families in their homes.
• Prepare alternative educational and vocational plans.
• Ensure victim rights and sex offender notifications, registrations, and restitution obligations are met.
• Attend and assist in planning treatment assessment and transitional meetings.
• Represent the agency at staffing and hearings, administrative reviews, and meetings with service providers.
• Provide direct services, including counseling, crisis intervention, and other special client needs. This includes implementing treatment plans and providing Awareness Supervision to youth, with responsibility for their safety, personal conduct, care, education, and therapy.
• Maintain security, including intervention and/or full participation in physical restraints of youth during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and gain physical control of youth.
• Intervene in youth medical emergencies, including performing first‑aid interventions such as CPR.
• Recruit, develop, screen, and train foster placements, direct and indirect services, purchase of service contracts, social service aids, and other community resources to meet client needs.
• Provide shift coverage in the residential programs that operate 24/7 as needed.
• Maintain a telephone or other approved means of contact at all times.
• Transport and escort youth and families in everyday and emergency situations.
• Role‑model appropriate behavior.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

One or more years of professional experience at or above the level of Education Specialist, Youth Services Specialist, Registered Nurse, Addiction Counselor I, Vocational Education Instructor, or Youth Services Worker with the Missouri Division of Youth Services in the treatment of juveniles.

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or a closely related field
* and* one or more years of professional experience in the treatment of juveniles (12‑17 years of age) involving group or individual counseling techniques.

• A Bachelor’s degree
* and* 1‑3 years of youth treatment experience and/or relevant certification. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. We have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator for a comprehensive view of the benefits. The calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you experience an accessibility issue while applying .gov, please contact courtney.a.hall.gov or call 573‑526‑0416. If you have questions about this position please contact hrc.gov. All are encouraged to apply as locations may become available.

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.