St. Louis - OHI Associate​/Social Services Specialist; I​/II​/III

Job Location: Base is negotiable within the St. Louis region of Missouri.

All internal promotional applicants are encouraged to apply as there may be alternate office space available.

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g., shift, or time-of-service pay).

The Children’s Division, Out-of-Home Investigation (OHI) Unit, has an opening for a Children’s Service Worker I/II/III. This position is responsible for conducting child abuse/neglect investigations in the out-of-home settings. The OHI Unit is responsible for CA/N investigations in residential centers, day care facilities, public and private schools, and foster homes. This position is responsible for conducting OHI investigations primarily in St.

Louis OHI Area. This position requires travel primarily in St. Louis and surrounding counties. 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 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!

• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associate Social Services Specialist (I): High School Diploma or equivalent and four 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 Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Social Work or a comparable human services field (substitutions allowed).
• Social Services Specialist (II): High School Diploma or equivalent 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…