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Children's Service Specialist

This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.

Class Number: 
5201
Annual Salary Range:
$36,360.00 – $57,792.00
Twice-a-Month Salary Range:
$1,515.00 – $2,408.00
Pay Grade: 
06
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Definition

This is professional work coordinating and implementing quality assurance/improvement programs, providing consultation regarding work methods and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, or approving referrals and coordinating placement of children into residential rehabilitative treatment facilities for the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services.

Minimum Qualifications

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,

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.)

Special Requirements

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.

Job Duties

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

Coordinates the evaluation and assessment of internal systems, procedures, practices, and outcomes; examines input from staff, and relationships and interactions between Children’s Division and stakeholders.

Oversees the identification of programs’ needs, goals, available resources, challenges, strengths, and deficiencies to achieve improved delivery of services; participates in the development of recommendations and/or action plans detailing corrective actions, alternatives, and/or strategies.

Monitors programs and services to ensure continued effectiveness and efficiency, achieved objective, and maintained changes.

Consults with community groups and individuals regarding quality assurance and improvement programs.

Oversees and coordinates consultants’ efforts to assist older youth to function independently.

Provides training, technical assistance, and consultation for Children’s Service Workers and/or Supervisors on various topics as assigned in geographic region; serves as a resource for staff.

Provides specialized training to enforce or enhance performance of individual employees as needed.

Provides clinical support to field staff as directed.

Participates in case staffing.

Interacts with law enforcement and juvenile officers, other public officials, and community organizations regarding family and children issues.

Attends court hearings and meetings related to assigned casework.

Receives consultation from professionals outside the agency for the purpose of maintaining and improving treatment techniques.

Evaluates programs and services in relation to accreditation compliance and standards; coordinates and/or provides assistance with development of plans and timelines to address programs’ modifications and services deficiencies.

Screens and prioritizes staff requests for placement of children into a residential rehabilitative treatment facility; coordinates and approves placement.

Reviews staff requests to identify the needs of children requiring placement into a residential treatment facility; determines appropriate facility based upon the identified needs of children.

Verifies a child’s eligibility; approves/denies treatment extensions; reviews treatment and progress reports from provider.

Reviews and approves payments; ensures expenditures are within the authorized residential care budget.

Monitors the length of stay in residential treatment facilities; ensures facilities are meeting the children’s needs and are complying with contracts; provides assistance to facilities with required documentation.

Serves as liaison between Children’s Division and the residential facilities.

Participates in various work groups at local and state level.

Exercises significant independence and judgment in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.

Performs other related work as assigned.

Key Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of principles, practices, theories, and techniques of counseling and social service work used with families, children, parents, and individuals involved with adoption and foster care.

Comprehensive knowledge of child welfare principles, methods, and current trends of social casework as applied in evaluation of services and treatment of clients.

Comprehensive knowledge of court procedures and laws pertaining to the rights of families and children.

Comprehensive knowledge of available resources which may be employed in the provision of social services.

Comprehensive knowledge of child abuse and neglect or exploitation prevention strategies.

Intermediate knowledge of research methods including design and controls, evaluation strategy and methodology, and statistical techniques.

Intermediate knowledge of methods and practices to develop and implement organizational and procedural changes.

Ability to work in a variety of situations and all types of community environments.

Ability to develop, coordinate, implement, and review quality assurance/improvement programs for specialized child welfare services.

Ability to design, plan, implement, evaluate, and monitor strategies for the delivery of effective programs and individual services.

Ability to analyze and interpret data, and to effectively communicate findings.

Ability to be sensitive to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics for the service population.

Ability to work effectively with staff, agency clients, professionals, and the general public.

Ability to prepare accurate and complete case records and reports.

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.

(Revised 12/16/19)