Unit Manager - Newborn Crisis Assessment

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!

This is administrative or managerial work responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing the Newborn Crisis Assessment Unit. Activities will include supervision of Children’s Service Supervisors and Children’s Service Specialists assigned to the unit. The unit will respond to newborn crisis assessments involving infants who may be at risk due to caregiver substance use, medical concerns, environmental conditions, or other safety factors.

The unit will work closely with hospitals, medical professionals, community partners, and Children’s Division staff to assess child safety, identify family strengths and needs, and coordinate appropriate services and interventions. This description may not include all duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

• Provides leadership and oversight for statewide Newborn Crisis Assessment operations, including collaboration with Children’s Division staff and external stakeholders to ensure consistent assessment of infant safety, effective service coordination, and compliance with agency policies and practice standards.
• Directs or assists in the overall planning, development, and administration of social service programs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of departmental planning.
• Reviews and/or revises programs in the area of responsibility to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, plans, and procedures.
• Supervises and monitors operations within the Newborn Crisis Assessment Unit.
• Directs or assists administrative staff in general management, policy development, program planning, and/or coordinates assigned responsibilities.
• Selects, trains, directs, and evaluates staff in the area of responsibility.
• Participates in the development, implementation, or interpretation of new or revised programs, departmental, or legislative initiatives.
• Participates in conferences and meetings relating to areas of assigned responsibility.
• Participates in the development of budget requests and the monitoring of expenditures according to allocations and appropriations; recommends or directs implementation of cost‑saving measures.
• Conducts investigations, special studies, and prepares or reviews reports and related information to evaluate existing organizations, policies, procedures, and practices as related to the assigned program.
• Serves as a liaison to staff, clients and public; and builds partnerships with federal, state, local and community organizations.
• Ensures clients receive services according to identified needs.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

A 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.

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Social Work or a comparable human services field, and five or more years of professional experience with a public or private agency in the delivery of protective services, including the same areas of casework/case management as above, and possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.

Lack of post‑secondary education will…