Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

State of Missouri; Missouri; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The State of Missouri's Department of Social Services – Children’s Division in Saint Louis seeks a dedicated Worker IV to join its team.

This role may work across program lines, lead the office leadership team, and participate in on-call rotations, providing coaching and staff development to colleagues handling complex protective services.

You will mentor new staff, conduct case consultations, and support the division’s mission to protect children and families.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and nine+ years of professional experience in protective services.
• Alternatively, 1+ years as Social Services Specialist III or Senior equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field with five+ years experience; substitutions allowed.

Responsibilities

• Lead as a Worker IV in office and manage high-profile or challenging cases.
• Serve in leadership with on-call rotation and staff backup.
• Provide coaching/guidance to staff handling the most difficult cases.
• Assist staff development under leadership direction.

Skills

Case management

Leadership

Mentoring staff

Public service experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

High School Diploma or GED

Experience in protective services

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Job Location: 9900 Page Ave., Saint Louis, 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.

Job Responsibilities

• 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 years of 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.

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The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.