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

State-of-Missour; Missouri; On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Leave and holidays

Health insurance

Job summary

Missouri Department of Social Services – Children’s Division is seeking a frontline supervisor for the MO CA/N Response Mobile Unit. The role conducts investigations and assessments of child abuse/neglect and coordinates with state agencies to ensure safety and services.

The position requires a valid driver’s license, on-call availability, and a preference for a degree in Social Work or equivalent experience, with opportunities to advance through a structured career path across Missouri.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 4+ years of protective services experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or comparable field; substitutions allowed.
• One or more years of experience for Social Services Specialist II/III levels.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to be on-call.

Responsibilities

• Conduct child abuse and neglect investigations and assessments.
• Respond to reports, conduct interviews and home visits to assess safety.
• Complete safety and risk assessments and make recommendations.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and reporting within required timeframes.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, multidisciplinary teams, and service providers.
• Communicate case progress and safety concerns with supervisors.
• Adapt to changing locations and priorities across the state.
• Participate in case consultations, meetings, and ongoing training.

Skills

Problem-solving

Time management

Interpersonal communication

Travel

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent; 4+ years protective services experience

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field ( substitutions allowed )

One or more years of experience for higher levels (II/III)

Job description

Job Location: Base Location is negotiable.

We are hiring for daytime, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts. You have the opportunity to choose available core working hours. Children’s Division team members are available 24/7. All shifts are currently open.

THIS ROLE WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE IN THE OFFICE DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS UNTIL INITIAL TRAINING IS COMPLETE AND TO MEET YEARLY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/BUSINESS NEEDS.

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!

As a member of the Missouri Children’s Division MoCAN Response Team, you’ll be part of a team to strengthen child safety with a specialized response. The MoCAN Response Team provides a structured career pathway, allowing team members to build foundational skills and advance into specialized child abuse and neglect roles as they gain knowledge and experience.

MO CA/N Response Mobile Unit – Frontline Supervisor - Job Description

This is a professional position responsible for conducting child abuse and neglect investigations and assessments as part of the MO CA/N Response Mobile Unit. The Mobile Unit serves as a statewide response team, providing investigative and assessment support to Children's Division units based on operational needs. This position requires flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing priorities, support statewide workload demands, and ensure timely, consistent, and quality service delivery. This description may not include all duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

Job Duties

• Conducts child abuse and neglect investigations and assessments across multiple Children's Division units based on operational needs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Responds to assigned reports of child abuse and neglect, conducting interviews, home visits, observations, and other investigative activities necessary to assess child safety and family circumstances.
• Completes required safety and risk assessments, evaluates information gathered during investigations, and makes appropriate recommendations regarding child safety, protective interventions, and service needs.
• Maintains accurate and timely case documentation, including investigative findings, assessments, contacts, and other required reports in accordance with Children's Division policies and established timeframes.
• Collaborates with law enforcement, multidisciplinary teams, service providers, and other community partners to gather relevant information, coordinate services, and support child safety.
• Communicates with assigned supervisors and other Children's Division staff regarding case progress, identified safety concerns, investigative findings, and recommendations for appropriate case actions.
• Adapts to changing assignments, geographic locations, and operational priorities to provide investigative and assessment support where needed throughout the state.
• Participates in case consultations, supervisory conferences, and other required meetings to support informed decision-making and consistent investigative practices.
• Participates in required training and professional development activities to maintain knowledge of Children's Division policies, investigative procedures, and best practices in child welfare.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

All levels below require:

• Valid driver's license.
• Availability to be in the “on call” rotation.

Associate Social Services Specialist (I):

High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Four 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.

(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.
• 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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