Social Services Unit Supervisor

Job Location: Base negotiable within the Southwest Region of the State of Missouri.

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

This is professional supervisory social service work involving the direction of a group of Associate/Social Service Specialists in the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services.

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.

Why you’ll love this position:

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!

What you’ll do:

• Directs and participates in the delivery of social services in such areas as adoption, child abuse and neglect, protective services, intensive services, foster care, and related areas.
• Provides individual and group supervision to Children’s Service Workers within an assigned unit or geographical area in the provision of casework services to families, children, and parents.
• Assists Social Services Area Supervisors or other managers in training assigned staff on Division policies, procedures, standards, and goals; participates in management planning and program revision.
• Receives referrals from juvenile courts, abuse/neglect hot line, Family Support Division staff, or other professional or private individuals in the community for protection and care of neglected, abused, or exploited children.
• Reviews case records of assigned staff in order to ensure that work is performed and services are delivered in accordance with agency guidelines and policy.
• Provides suggestions to supervisors for developing procedures to implement children's service programs.
• Conducts detailed case studies; prepares evaluations of social, economic, and environmental factors; and makes recommendations to staff regarding treatment and placement plans.
• Performs diagnostic and assessment services to assist staff in the development and implementation of treatment, placement, and service plans.
• Provides specialized treatment services to neglected, abused, or exploited children.
• 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.
• Provides periodic reports on standards of practice, progress, and development of assigned staff.
• Assists other Social Services Unit Supervisors or managers in the orientation of new employees in children’s services.
• Assigns and directs the work of staff, participates in selection, makes recommendations for disciplinary actions and/or grievance resolutions, and conducts periodic evaluations of staff performance.
• Assumes responsibility for the preparation and completion of community reports.
• Receives in-service orientations in the areas of division policies, processes, and programs.
• Assumes responsibility for the quality and quantity of services provided by assigned staff to families, children, and parents.
• Supervises or assists in the supervision of a county-level volunteer program.
• Exercises independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives direction from a designated manager.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

All you need for success:

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 years of experience as a Social Services Specialist (III) or Senior Social Services Specialist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System. OR

• Three or more years of experience as an Associate Social Services Specialist and/or Social Services Specialist (II) with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System. OR

• 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)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of the provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to social service programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of social casework.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of interviewing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the general provision, objectives, and philosophy of child welfare programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of court procedures as they apply to the provision of children’s services.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the relationship between social, economic, and community health problems and the dysfunctional family.
• Comprehensive knowledge in the area of child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of developmental disabilities, behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of basic supervisory principles and techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of professional literature in the field of children's services.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community resources used in the provision of social services.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics for the service population.
• Ability to interact with and complete assignments in a manner sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Ability to develop unit and work flow management policies and procedures.
• Ability to plan, assign, coordinate, and evaluate the work of social service personnel and instruct them in work performance.
• Ability to apply knowledge of principles and methods of social casework in the area of services to families, children, and parents.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, applicants, recipients, other agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• 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 plan and organize time effectively.

More reasons to love this position:

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 .

If you have questions about this position please contact: CD-HR@dss.mo.gov

If interested in this position please apply through MO Careers and if you have questions about the position, please contact Brian Garrity at Brian.Garrity@dss.mo.gov or by phone 417-629-3211 or Kendall Maier at Kendall.Maier@dss.mo.gov or by phone 417-895-1314 before 5:00pm on October 3, 2025.

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• State of Missouri

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