Senior Social Services Specialist (CSSP)

State-of-Missour; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Missouri Department of Social Services is seeking a Foster Care Case Manager to advocate for children and support families within the child welfare system. You will connect families to services, guide case plans, and participate in court processes to promote safe, permanent homes.

Responsibilities include assessing children's needs, coordinating services with schools and providers, maintaining confidential records, and preparing legal documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or comparable field with five+ years in protective services.

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 achieving reunification goals.
• Ensure children’s placements comply with child welfare guidelines and conduct in-home visits.
• Provide routine support and crisis intervention for foster families.
• Facilitate communication and visitation between foster children and their families.
• Coordinate family support team meetings with schools, healthcare providers, and legal representatives.
• Maintain confidential client records, case notes, and specialized reports.
• Prepare legal documents, attend court hearings, and provide testimony.
• Assist in assuring safety of children served in other program areas as designated by agency leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Counseling knowledge

Family services

Court procedures

Communication

Interagency coordination

Records management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Five+ years in protective services

Experience with foster care/adoptions

Substitutions via college credits allowed

Job description

Location: Base location is negotiable.

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.

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.

High School Diploma or High School EquivalentandNine 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

One or more yearsof experience as a Social Services Specialist (III) or Senior Social Services Specialist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System. OR

Three or more yearsof experience as an Associate Social Services Specialist and/or Social Services Specialist (II) with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System. OR

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

(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)

Desired Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles, practices, theories, and techniques of counseling and social service work used with families, children, parents, and individuals involved with adoption and foster care.
• Compr ehensive knowledge of child welfare principles, methods, and current trends of social casework as applied in evaluation of services and treatment of clients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of court procedures and laws pertaining to the rights of families and children.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, implement, and review quality assurance/improvement programs for specialized child welfare services.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, agency clients, professionals, and the general public.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to legally operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties upon the date of hire and throughout employment.

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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