OHI Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

About the role

The Children’s Division, Out-of-Home Investigation (OHI) Unit, has an opening for a Senior Social Services Specialist IV. This position is responsible for conducting child abuse/neglect investigations in out-of-home settings, including residential facilities, day care facilities, public and private schools, and foster homes. The role focuses on the Kansas City OHI Area, primarily traveling in Jackson, Cass, Johnson, and Pettis Counties, with occasional travel to other areas as needed for high volume or staffing shortages. The position requires working independently, managing high-profile and complex investigations, and collaborating with Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) and OHI leadership. Periodic on-call shifts are required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct out-of-home investigations in residential facilities, schools, daycare facilities, foster homes, and other out-of-home settings in a professional, timely, and comprehensive manner.
• Ensure all required policies, procedures, and statutes are followed during investigations.
• Co-investigate with Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) across participating counties.
• Work closely with OHI leadership to identify, address, and communicate concerns or issues to licensing entities.
• Manage high-profile, complex, and/or challenging investigations while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff on complex or challenging cases and assist other investigators as needed.
• Assist with staff development as directed by OHI leadership.
• Demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and decision-making skills while representing the agency professionally.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or 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.
• Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• One or more years of experience as a Social Services Specialist (III), Social Services Unit Supervisor, or Senior Social Services Specialist within the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Social Work or a 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.
• Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed.
• Availability to participate in the “on call” rotation as assigned.
• 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.