Associate/Social Services Specialist (I/II/III)

State of Missouri; Aurora (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Social Services – Children’s Division in Missouri seeks qualified Social Services Specialists to support at-risk children and families. The role emphasizes protective services, foster care coordination, and family-centered interventions within a supportive state system.

Positions require collaborative work with law enforcement, court partners, and community organizations, with travel across Missouri as needed and on-call availability.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 4+ years of professional experience in protective services.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related human services field; substitutions allowed.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with agencies serving children and families.
• Assist families to attain stability through casework, home management or referrals for counseling.
• Interact with law enforcement and juvenile officers, public officials and community organizations.
• Represent Children’s Division during court hearings and related meetings.
• Respond to needs of children in homes and community, providing transportation if needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Be available for on-call rotation.

Skills

Case management

Interagency collaboration

Investigation of abuse or neglect

Court proceedings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Job Location: Base location Lawrence County- Aurora

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 or neglect, and conducting foster care and adoption case management.

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with partnering agencies who serve children and families;
• Assist families to attain and maintain stability through appropriate casework, home management or referral for more skilled counseling treatment;
• Interacts with law enforcement and juvenile officers, other public officials, and community organizations regarding family and children issues;
• Represent Children's Division during court hearings and other meetings related to case work.
• Respond to the needs of children in their homes and throughout the community, providing transportation, if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Availability to be in the "on call" rotation as assigned
• Associate Social Services Specialist: High School Diploma or High School Equivalent andFour 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

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

• Social Services Specialist (II): High School Diploma or High School Equivalent 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. OR

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

• Social Services Specialist (III): High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Six 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

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably a degree in Social Work or comparable human services field (Substitutions allowed); and, Two 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. 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 denying consideration to any applicant)

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work a combination evening/weekend shift
• Excellent problem-solving and time management skills
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Availability to be in the "on call" rotation as assigned
• Ability to travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed

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.

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