Program Specialist

State of Missouri; Missouri; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri's Department of Social Services is seeking a qualified Senior Social Services Specialist to support the Children’s Division and related units. This role emphasizes project planning, policy development, staff leadership, and cross‑agency collaboration across statewide programs.

Ideal candidates possess a high school diploma or equivalent with extensive professional social services experience, plus a bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of related work.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8+ 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.
• Two or more years of experience as a Senior Social Services Specialist (CSSP).
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Substitutions allowed); and, Four or more years of professional or technical experience providing social services; or conducting investigations or audits of social service providers, recipients, and/or applicants.
• (Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the stated college education.)
• (Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant)

Responsibilities

• Oversee project planning, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful completion.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams and resources to meet project objectives.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Maintain clear documentation and communicate status updates to stakeholders.
• Develop clear, concise policies and procedures aligned with statute, regulation and best practice standards.
• Collaborate with subject‑matter experts to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Review and update existing policies to reflect current practices and regulations.
• Communicate new or revised policies effectively to staff and stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective team collaboration and guide groups toward shared goals.
• Lead meetings, encourage participation, and ensure productive discussion.
• Provide direction, support, and accountability to team members.
• Build positive working relationships and promote a respectful, solution‑focused environment.
• Offer expert guidance to staff and leadership on operational, programmatic, and procedural questions.
• Assess needs and recommend effective solutions aligned with organizational goals.
• Support teams in interpreting policies, regulations, and best practices.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to improve workflows and decision‑making.
• Deliver timely and accurate support to individuals and teams requiring specialized knowledge.
• Assist with implementing new systems, tools, or procedures to enhance efficiency.
• Troubleshoot issues and help users navigate complex processes.
• Develop and share resources, checklists, and training materials to build staff capacity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, agencies, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization professionally in meetings, collaborations, and joint initiatives.
• Communicate project goals, expectations, and updates clearly to outside stakeholders.
• Coordinate efforts across multiple groups to ensure alignment and support shared outcomes.
• Gather feedback from external stakeholders to strengthen programs, policies, and operational practices.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, agreements, and partnership requirements.

Skills

Strong written oral analytical skills

Willingness to travel

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor’s degree with substitutions allowed

Job description

Job Location: This position will have a negotiable base within the State of Missouri. This position will support both the Health Information/Psychotropic Medication Unit the General Alternative Care Program.

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!

Project Management

• Oversee project planning, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful completion.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams and resources to meet project objectives.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Maintain clear documentation and communicate status updates to stakeholders.

Writing Policy and Procedure

• Develop clear, concise policies and procedures aligned with statute, regulation and best practice standards.
• Collaborate with subject‑matter experts to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Review and update existing policies to reflect current practices and regulations.
• Communicate new or revised policies effectively to staff and stakeholders.

Leading Groups

• Facilitate effective team collaboration and guide groups toward shared goals.
• Lead meetings, encourage participation, and ensure productive discussion.
• Provide direction, support, and accountability to team members.
• Build positive working relationships and promote a respectful, solution‑focused environment.

Providing Consultation

• Offer expert guidance to staff and leadership on operational, programmatic, and procedural questions.
• Assess needs and recommend effective solutions aligned with organizational goals.
• Support teams in interpreting policies, regulations, and best practices.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to improve workflows and decision‑making.

Technical Assistance

• Deliver timely and accurate support to individuals and teams requiring specialized knowledge.
• Assist with implementing new systems, tools, or procedures to enhance efficiency.
• Troubleshoot issues and help users navigate complex processes.
• Develop and share resources, checklists, and training materials to build staff capacity.

Working With Outside Stakeholders

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, agencies, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization professionally in meetings, collaborations, and joint initiatives.
• Communicate project goals, expectations, and updates clearly to outside stakeholders.
• Coordinate efforts across multiple groups to ensure alignment and support shared outcomes.
• Gather feedback from external stakeholders to strengthen programs, policies, and operational practices.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, agreements, and partnership requirements.

A High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Eight 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. Two or more years of experience as a Senior Social Services Specialist (CSSP). Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Substitutions allowed); and, Four or more years of professional or technical experience providing social services; or conducting investigations or audits of social service providers, recipients, and/or applicants.

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the stated college education.)

(Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant)

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed
• This individual should have strong written, oral and analytical skills with knowledge and experience related to child welfare issues.
• Candidate should possess strong organization skills and ability to complete tasks and projects autonomously

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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