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

State of Missouri; Neosho (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Leave benefits

Health insurance

Job summary

State of Missouri seeks an Alternative Care Case Manager to advocate for child safety, guide families, coordinate services, and participate in court processes. The role involves developing case plans, ensuring compliant placements, and supporting reunification efforts across the state.

The position requires a social services background, strong communication skills, and the ability to engage with schools, healthcare providers, and legal representatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field; substitutions allowed
• Experience in protective services, foster care coordination, and family-centered services
• Wamiliar with court processes and documentation; valid driver’s license and ability to travel statewide

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of children and connect them to services.
• Develop and implement individualized case plans for children and parents with a multidisciplinary team.
• Assist biological parents with reunification goals.
• Ensure placements comply with guidelines and attend court hearings as required.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for foster families during placement challenges.
• Maintain confidential case records and prepare required legal documents.

Skills

Case management

Court testinmony

Communication

Family reunification

Education

Bachelor’s in Social Work or related field

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Location: Base location - Newton County.

Alternative Care Case Management

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 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, preferable 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, preferable 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, preferable 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.