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

State-of-Missour; Camdenton (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Missouri is seeking a social services specialist to manage foster care and protective services cases in the Camden Laclede Miller or Morgan County areas. The role focuses on safety, reunification, and coordinating with families and courts.

The position emphasizes working with a multidisciplinary team to develop plans, monitor placements, and maintain case records, with court testimony as needed.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or GED and 4+ years in protective services, or Bachelor’s in Social Work with substitutions allowed.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred; substitutions allowed.
• Preferred: strong communication, time management, and ability to travel statewide.

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of children and connect them to services.
• Develop and implement individualized case plans with the team.
• Assist biological parents with reunification goals.
• Ensure placements comply with welfare guidelines and court requirements.
• Conduct in-home visits to monitor child safety and well-being.
• Provide support and crisis intervention for foster families.
• Coordinate family support team meetings with schools, healthcare providers, and legal representatives.
• Maintain confidential client records and prepare legal documents; attend court hearings.

Skills

Problem solving

Time management

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Travel ability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Job Location: Base location in the 26th Circuit - Camden Laclede Miller or Morgan County for Alternative Care

A foster care case manager performs many essential functions within the child welfare system. They advocate for and assure safety of children, guide biological parents, support relative and foster families, connect people to services, and participate in the court process. They play a critical role in promoting family reunification or securing other safe, permanent homes when needed.

• Assess the needs of children and connect them to services.
• Develop and implement individualized case plans for children and parents in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Assist biological parents with achieving reunification goals.
• Ensure children’s placements comply with child welfare guidelines, best-interest principles, and court requirements. Conduct in-home visits to monitor a child's safety and well-being.
• Provide routine support and crisis intervention for foster families when placement challenges arise.
• Facilitate communication and visitation between children in foster care and their biological families.
• Coordinate and facilitate family support team meetings, liaising between schools, community and healthcare providers, and legal representatives.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and confidential client records, case notes, and specialized reports.
• Prepare legal documents, attend court hearings, and provide testimony regarding the child and family status.
• Assist in assuring safety of children served in other program areas as designated by agency leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associate Social Services Specialist:

  High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Four or more yearsof 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 yearsof 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 yearsof 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 yearsof 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 yearsof 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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