Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

State of Missouri; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri—Department of Social Services, Children's Division—seeks an experienced worker to support protective services for children and families in Joplin, MO. The role covers on-call supervision rotation, mentor to staff, case consults, and leadership within the office to handle high-profile cases.

You will coordinate rotations across programs, contribute to staff development under leadership direction, and ensure service delivery to at-risk families while maintaining compliance

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent plus 9+ years in protective services including casework, foster care, or related roles.
• Or one year or more as Social Services Specialist III or Senior Social Services Specialist.
• Bachelor's degree plus 5+ years in protective services; substitutions may apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist with on-call supervisor rotation and staff rotations.
• Mentor and coach staff, support staff development.
• Lead high-profile or challenging cases and serve on leadership team.

Skills

Case management

Protective services

Leadership

Staff coaching

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Job Location: The position is based in Circuit 29 - Joplin, MO. A person in this role must be able to work in whatever program area has a need and be able to carry more difficult cases. This position will assist with on call supervisor rotation as well as worker rotations. Must be able to do case consults, mentor new staff or assist staff that might need extra attention/support.

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!

• This position can be based in any program line and will be looked at as general Worker IV Position in the office.
• This position with also manage high profile and/or challenging cases.
• This position will serve in a leadership position within the office and the leadership team and continue to be on-call or back-up, whichever is most needed,
• This position may provide coaching and guidance to staff working the most challenging cases in all program areas, and support to other Children Service Workers.
• This position would also take on the role of assisting staff development at all levels, at the direction of leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalent and Nine 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

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

OR

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

(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 travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed
• Availability to be in the "on call" rotation one weekend a month.
• The operator of a motor vehicle is an essential function of this classification. 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.

[e-mail]

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.