BACHELORS DEGREE REQUIRED

The Children’s Division is seeking applications for the position of Associate/Social Services Specialist in Circuit 32 Cape Girardeau MO, Cape Girardeau County. There are multiple vacancies throughout the circuit.

JOB DUTIES: Records initial and ongoing case activity and prepares all required reports. Refers families and children, when necessary, to other community resources or higher-level staff. Evaluates children's needs and eligibility for social services through personal and collateral interviews. Assists individuals in utilizing available agency and community resources. Delivers and/or coordinates protective services involving neglected, abused, or exploited children, foster care, parent services, and/or adoption. Cooperates with other agencies in serving children and families. Assists families to attain and maintain their stability through appropriate casework and home management or referral for more skilled counseling treatment. Provides services which promote healthful child development. Answers child abuse hotline, takes initial reports, and relays information. Performs studies of proposed foster and adoptive homes. Investigates, as directed, reports of neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children. Serves as the primary case manager when families are served by more than one departmental resource. Receives referrals from juvenile courts, Family Support Division staff, or other professional or private individuals in the community for protection and care of neglected, abused, or exploited children. Provides and/or coordinates services to parents, who neglect, abuse, or exploit their children, to help change behavior or methods of childcare. Conducts studies and provides treatment services as ordered by a court or after referral by agency staff. Evaluates the necessity for and facilitates placement of children from their home into temporary foster care when neglect, abuse, or exploitation situations make this necessary. Provides and/or coordinates, as directed, supervision and visitation to children in foster, adoptive, relative, or family care, or other placements. Provides consultation to foster parents and casework services to biological parents. Provides and/or coordinates casework services to parents to assist them in their personal adjustment and planning for their child. Interacts with law enforcement and juvenile officers, other public officials, and community organizations regarding family and children issues. Attends court hearings and meetings related to assigned casework. Maintains liaison with volunteers at the county level in coordinating the operation of a volunteer program. Performs work under close supervision, from a Social Services Unit Supervisor or higher level, as part of a training process to develop understanding and skill within the framework of agency rules, regulations, and procedures. Performs other related work as assigned. NECESSARY

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  The operation 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.  THIS

POSITION MAY ALSO REQUIRE TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE OF MISSOURI. 

THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE BEING ON CALL. QUALIFICATIONS: Associate Social Services Specialist: (The following minimum qualifications apply to applicant eligibility and may also be used to evaluate employees for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions.) (More specific qualifications may be required for particular positions allocated to this class depending on the assigned duties and responsibilities.)A Bachelor’s or higher level degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in Social Work or comparable human services field is preferred; however, applicants with an unrelated Bachelor’s degree, but possessing direct relevant experience and/or competencies may be allowed substitutions on a case-by-case basis. Social Services Specialist: (The following minimum qualifications apply to applicant eligibility. Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement. These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate employees for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions.) (More specific qualifications may be required for particular positions allocated to this class depending on assigned duties and responsibilities.) A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in Social Work or comparable human services field is preferred; however, applicants with an unrelated Bachelor’s degree, but possessing direct relevant experience and/or competencies may be allowed substitutions on a case-by-case basis; and, One or more years of professional experience with a public or private agency in the delivery of protective children’s services, including casework/case management in: investigation of abuse or neglect of children; coordination of child foster care, adoptions, and family centered services; juvenile treatment/rehabilitation; and/or providing in-home family crisis intervention services, and possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license. (A combination of graduate education from an accredited college or university in the preferred fields and experience described may substitute for the stated qualifications.)

TO APPLY: If interested in this position please apply through MO Careers

If you experience an accessibility issue while applying at mocareers.mo.gov, please Courtney Hall at 573-526-0416.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,817.16 - $49,506.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person