Social Services Unit Supervisor

State of Missouri; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Generous leave and holidays

Health insurance eligibility

Job summary

Department of Social Services – Children’s Division in Missouri seeks a seasoned professional to supervise assessment and casework for at‑risk children and families. You will oversee protective services, foster care, and reunification efforts, coordinating with courts and support staff to ensure safety and family preservation.

The role requires extensive experience in social services, strong evaluative skills, and willingness to travel statewide.

Qualifications

• Minimum professional experience delivering protective services in public or private agencies.
• Experience with foster care, adoptions, or family-centered services strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of child welfare processes and case management required.

Responsibilities

• Directs and participates in delivery of social services such as adoption, protective services, foster care.
• Receives referrals from courts, hotline, and professionals for protection and care.
• Conducts case studies, prepares evaluations, and makes recommendations on treatment and placement.
• Attends court hearings and related meetings; performs diagnostic and assessment tasks.

Skills

Social work experience

Case management

Investigation skills

Court coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Job Location: 5th Circuit, Buchanan County. This will be a position primarily supervising AC and some FCS.

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, please come join us!

• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 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 as assigned.
• 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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