This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
This is professional social service work in the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services in the application of direct social service work methods with, or on behalf of, children and families in instances of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
(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.)
(Revised 10/1/19)
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 description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.
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 adoptions.
Delivers and/or coordinates services in the child's home or in an alternative placement.
Serves as the primary case manager for families; 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 reports of neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children.
Remains available during non-office hours to handle emergency foster care placements.
Maintains liaison with volunteers at the county level in coordinating the operation of a volunteer program.
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.
Conducts counseling sessions with and/or coordinates services to parents or individuals who have a variety of mental health challenges including substance abuse, self-destructive behavior, or neglect, abuse, and/or exploitation of children.
Conducts studies and provides treatment services ordered by a court or after referral by agency staff.
Evaluates the necessity for and facilitates placement of children away from their family home into temporary foster care when neglect, abuse, or exploitation situations make this necessary.
Provides and/or coordinates skilled supervision and visitation to children in foster, adoptive, relative or family care, or other placements.
Provides consultation to foster parents and continuous casework services to the biological parents in an effort to return the child to the family home.
Interacts with law enforcement and juvenile officers, other public officials, and community organizations regarding family and children’s issues.
Attends court hearings and meetings related to assigned casework.
Records initial case activity, maintains case records and ongoing case activity, and completes all required reports.
Provides skilled casework services to parents to assist them in their personal adjustment and planning for their child.
Conducts extensive field work including traveling to client homes, hospitals, alternative placements, court, and transportation of children.
Assigned on-call duty to handle after hours and weekend child abuse and neglect investigations.
Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.
Performs other related work as assigned.
Intermediate knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to social service programs.
Intermediate knowledge of the principles and methods of social casework.
Intermediate knowledge of individual and group behavior.
Intermediate knowledge of the principles and methods of interviewing.
Intermediate knowledge of the general provisions, objectives, and philosophy of child welfare programs.
Intermediate knowledge of current social, economic, and community health problems.
Intermediate knowledge of court procedures as they apply to the provision of children’s services.
Intermediate knowledge of community resources used in the provision of social services.
Intermediate knowledge of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics for the service population.
Ability to plan and organize time effectively.
Ability to work in a variety of situations and all types of community environments.
Ability to satisfactorily complete an agency training course in the protective service areas to which the employee is assigned.
Ability to interact with and complete assignments in a manner sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Ability to provide protective services to child welfare clients following established rules and procedures with minimal supervision.
Ability to apply principles and methods of social casework to the area of child welfare.
Ability to work effectively with employees, applicants, recipients, other agencies, and the general public.
Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
Ability to interpret laws and regulations.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.
Ability to use automated office equipment and computer systems including child welfare/case management systems, databases, and other personal computer applications.
Ability to communicate effectively.