Senior Social Services Specialist; IV

Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

Job Location: Mexico, Warrenton or Montgomery, MO.

All internal promotional applicants are encouraged to apply as there may be alternate office space available. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g., shift, or time‑of‑service pay).

The Department of Social Services partners with families and communities to protect children, rehabilitate youth and move families to self‑sufficiency so that Missourians can lead safe, healthy and productive lives.

Are you passionate about helping people? Do you love working with children and families? Do you enjoy assisting people in difficult circumstances? The Department of Social Services – Children’s Division cares for at‑risk children and families by providing family preservation and reunification services, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, and conducting foster care and adoption case management. If you want to be part of a great team working to make a difference, please come join us!

• Primarily carry a caseload of investigative cases.
• Manage high‑profile and/or challenging cases.
• Serve in a leadership position within the office and the leadership team; continue to be on‑call or back‑up as needed.
• Provide coaching and guidance to staff working the most challenging cases in all program areas, and support to other Children Service Workers.
• Assist staff development at all levels as directed by leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

OR one or more years of experience as a Social Services Specialist (III), Social Services Unit Supervisor or Senior Social Services Specialist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in social work or a 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 as described, and a valid vehicle operator’s license.

(A combination of earned credit hours from an accredited college or university in the preferred fields such as social work, family and child development, special education, psychology, sociology, or related behavioral sciences and experience described may substitute for the stated qualifications. Thirty credit hours are equivalent to one year of experience. Professional experience as described must be of a substantial period of time (over 50% of time)).

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

• Ability to travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed.
• Availability to be in the “on call” rotation one weekend a month.
• The operator of a motor vehicle is an essential function of this classification. Must be able to legally operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties upon the date of hire and throughout employment.

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. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator.

This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

Contact: CD-HR.gov

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Information Technology

Government Administration