OHI Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

Job Location: This is a rover position conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area. This position primarily covers Greene, Dallas, Wright, Webster, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark counties. There will also be occasional travel to assist in other areas of the State on an as needed basis. 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. The OHI Unit is responsible for CA/N investigations in residential facilities, day care facilities, public and private schools, and foster homes. This position is responsible for conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area and other areas of the state as needed. This position requires travel primarily in Greene, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark Counties, as well as statewide travel as needed to fill in for other areas or for special investigations. The location of the successful candidate will determine the official base. The person selected for this position should have child abuse/neglect investigation experience and be proficient with computer technology. They should be detail oriented and able to work independently. The person selected for this position must meet the qualifications for a Senior Social Services Specialist IV. This position will be responsible for conducting OHI investigations primarily in the Springfield OHI Area (Greene, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Christian, Douglas, Stone, Taney, and Ozark Counties) as well as roving to other areas as needed for high volume, when other areas are experiencing staff shortages, or investigators in those areas are off work. This position will conduct out of home investigations in residential facilities, schools, daycare facilities, foster homes, and other out of home settings. This position will conduct OHI investigations in a professional, timely, and comprehensive manner while ensuring all the required policies, procedures, and statutes are followed. This position will co-investigate closely with Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) throughout the counties in which the OHI Investigations are conducted. This position will work closely with OHI leadership to identify, address, and communicate concerns or issues identified during OHI investigations to licensing entities. This position will manage high profile, complex, and/or challenging investigations while maintaining professionalism and sound judgement. This position will be required to work periodic on call shifts. This position may provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff working the most complex or challenging cases in OHI and assist other OHI Investigators when additional support is needed. This position would take on the role of assisting staff development at all levels as directed by OHI leadership This position will demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and decision-making skills while representing the agency in a professional manner. 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), Social Services Unit Supervisor or Senior Social Services Specialist 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 one weekend a month. 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. 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. View email address on click.appcast.io ; Or Ryan Harris, OHI Unit Manager at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Missouri