Social Services Specialist (4624210)

State-of-Missour; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Generous leave and holidays

Health insurance coverage

Job summary

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services seeks a dedicated professional to conduct assessments and coordinate Home and Community Based Services for seniors and adults with disabilities in Kansas City, MO. The role supports autonomy and safety in the least restrictive setting.

You will develop care plans, participate in hearings, and travel across multiple counties to ensure service quality. Strong communication, detail, and disability awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Strong interviewing and communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail and documentation.
• Demonstrated awareness of disability and cross-generational issues.
• Background in customer service or work with seniors or disabled populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial assessments and reassessments to help seniors/disabled adults stay in least restrictive environment.
• Coordinate HCBS services (housekeeping, meals, health, personal care) with participants and providers.
• Develop and implement care plans based on participant needs and provider options.
• Represent DSDS in administrative hearings.
• Travel within a multi-county area for home visits, hearings, and training.
• Ensure program integrity, operations, and success.

Skills

Strong interviewing skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Disability awareness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Job description

Job Location: This position will be located at 1410 Genessee St., Kansas City, MO/Jackson Co.

Why you’ll love this position:

Do you want to be a part of a team that makes a difference in the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities? In this position as part of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, your work will contribute to the mission of promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of vulnerable Missourians. Are you interested in having weekends and holidays off and not being on call? Then this is the position for you! This position is in a supportive environment that values both teamwork and autonomy.

The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.

• Conduct initial assessments/reassessments in accordance with all DSDS policy and regulations to enable senior and/or disabled adults remain in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinate Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program services such as housekeeping, meal preparation, health, and/or personal care by making/receiving contact with participants and providers to complete service authorizations
• Develop and implement a care plan that meets the participant’s unmet needs by making participant contact, collateral contacts and home visit(s), considering participant choice of providers
• Represent DSDS in administrative hearings
• Travel within a multi-county area to conduct home visits, attend hearings and training sessions, utilizing your personal vehicle when necessary
• Assume accountability and responsibility over the program's integrity, operations, and success

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher level degree from an accredited college or university (substitutions may be allowed).
• Strong interviewing and communication skills
• Keen to detail and documentation
• Exhibit disability & cross-generational awareness
• Prior experience with customer service and working with the elderly, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable population is preferred.

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

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.

Bethany Miller, Regional Manager, Phone [phone], [e-mail]