Social Services Unit Supervisor

State of Missouri; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Generous leave and holidays

Health insurance eligibility

Job summary

The Department of Social Services – Children’s Division in Missouri seeks a qualified professional to oversee and support protective services for at‑risk children and families. Responsibilities include managing casework, evaluating needs, and coordinating foster care and adoption activities.

Applicants should have strong collaboration skills, be prepared to travel across Missouri, and participate in on‑call rotations. A relevant degree and substantial experience are required for consideration.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 9+ years of professional protective services casework experience.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of experience can substitute as noted; and a combination of credits may substitute for time requirements.

Responsibilities

• Directs and participates in the delivery of social services in areas such as adoption, child abuse/neglect, protective services, foster care.
• Receives referrals from courts, hotlines, and staff for protection of children.
• Conducts detailed case studies and makes recommendations for treatment and placement plans.
• Performs diagnostic and assessment services to assist in treatment and service planning.
• Attends court hearings and related casework meetings.

Skills

Travel ability

On-call rotation willingness

Leadership training preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related human services field

Job description

Job Location: This position will primarily supervise AC in the Boone County office.

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

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,

• Directs and participates in the delivery of social services in such areas as adoption, child abuse and neglect, protective services, intensive services, foster care and related areas.
• Receives referrals from juvenile courts, abuse/neglect hot line, Family Support Division staff or other professional or private individuals in the community for protection and care of neglected, abused or exploited children.
• Conducts detailed case studies; prepares evaluations of social, economic and environmental factors; and makes recommendations to staff regarding treatment and placement plans.
• Performs diagnostic and assessment services to assist staff in the development and implementation of treatment, placement and service plans.
• Attends court hearings and meetings related to assigned casework.

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) or Senior Social Services Specialist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

• Three or more years of experience as an Associate Social Services Specialist and/or Social Services Specialist (II) 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 asource for 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.
• Training, certification, and/or education in leadership and continuous process improvement programs (e.g. Lean Six Sigma) is preferred.

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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