Social Services Unit Supervisor

Job Location: Pettis County office in case management. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g., shift or time-of-service pay).

About the Role

The 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. A foster care case manager performs many essential functions within the child welfare system. They advocate for and assure the safety of children, guide biological parents, support relative and foster families, connect people to services, and participate in the court process. They play a critical role in promoting family reunification or securing other safe, permanent homes when needed.

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of children and connect them to services.
• Develop and implement individualized case plans for children and parents in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Assist biological parents with achieving reunification goals.
• Ensure children’s placements comply with child welfare guidelines, best-interest principles, and court requirements.
• Conduct in-home visits to monitor a child's safety and well-being.
• Provide routine support and crisis intervention for foster families when placement challenges arise.
• Facilitate communication and visitation between children in foster care and their biological families.
• Coordinate and facilitate family support team meetings, liaising between schools, community and healthcare providers, and legal representatives.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and confidential client records, case notes, and specialized reports.
• Prepare legal documents, attend court hearings, and provide testimony regarding the child and family status.
• Assist in assuring the safety of children served in other program areas as designated by agency leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• Possession of a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• OR one or more years of 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 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.

A combination of earned credit hours from an accredited college or university in 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 for 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.

Benefits

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• A defined pension plan.
• Generous amounts of leave and holiday time.
• Eligibility for health insurance coverage.

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