This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Children's Service Worker IV
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is specialized professional social service work in the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services providing targeted and specialized case management with, or on behalf of, children and families in instances of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Assumes responsibility for the most complex and sensitive investigations in critical-event cases such as: child fatalities/near fatalities, severe abuse or neglect, chronic maltreatment, etc.; uses expertise and experience to make difficult decisions in order to deliver necessary services.
Provides case management for children and families affected by: mental illness or substantial mental impairment; medical conditions which affect daily functioning or require regular monitoring; developmental disability or delay; and/or alcohol or drug abuse problems requiring treatment.
Provides on-the-job training and follow-up coaching to Children’s Service Workers to ensure that best practice frameworks are implemented, knowledge and skills applied, and competency developed.
Provides ongoing mentoring, on-call support, and case consultation for Children’s Service Workers including clinical interventions, interpretation of policy, resource development, and problem-solving.
Provides consultation to family support and multi-disciplinary teams.
Serves as facilitator for Team-Based Decision Making and other related family and community engagement strategies.
Pilots innovative evidenced-informed practices and shares knowledge and new practice frameworks with other team members and organizational units.
Develops relationships with community partners and expands access to formal and informal resources for children, youth, and families.
Serves on program and system improvement committees and takes an active role in strategic planning and organizational development.
Acts as team lead in case staff meetings; provides ongoing case consultation.
Provides consultation to foster parents and provides advanced continuous casework services to the biological parents in an effort to return the child to the family home.
Effectively develops community resources and supports that increase safety and provide opportunities for family strengthening, permanency, and well-being.
Manages a specific caseload and is responsible for other duties common to Children’s Service Workers.
Remains available during non-office hours to handle emergency foster care placements; assigned on-call duty to handle after hours and weekend child abuse and neglect investigations.
Conducts extensive field work including traveling to client homes, hospitals, alternative placements, court, and transportation of children.
Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(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,
Five 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.)
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.
Successful completion of required certification and training as provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division is required within 12 months of employee’s date of hire.
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to social service programs.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of social casework.
Comprehensive knowledge of individual and group behavior.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of interviewing.
Comprehensive knowledge of the general provisions, objectives, and philosophy of child welfare programs.
Comprehensive knowledge of current social, economic, and community health problems.
Comprehensive knowledge of court procedures as they apply to the provision of children’s services.
Comprehensive knowledge of community resources used in the provision of social services.
Comprehensive 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 advanced 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 system, databases, and other personal computer applications.
Ability to communicate effectively.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
View benefits