Senior Social Services Specialist; IV

Job Location

The position will be based at the Pettis County office in the CA/N unit, regular travel is required. Prior experience in CA/N is preferred.

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. A person in this role must be able to work in whatever program area has a need and be able to carry more difficult cases. The position will assist with on-call supervisor rotation as well as worker rotations.

Must be able to do case consults, mentor new staff or assist staff that might need extra attention/support.

• General Worker IV Position in the office.
• Manage high-profile and/or challenging cases.
• Serve in a leadership position within the office and the leadership team, and continue to be on-call or back-up as needed.
• Provide coaching and guidance to staff working the most challenging cases across all program areas, and support other Children Service Workers.
• Assist staff development at all levels, at the direction of leadership.

• High School Diploma or 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 and adoptions, treatment/rehabilitation, and/or providing in-home family crisis intervention services, and possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• One or more year(s) 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 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 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 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. 30 credit hours are equivalent to 1 year of experience.) (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 on 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.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.