Critical Investigation Unit - Senior Social Services Specialist (IV)

Job Summary - Why you’ll love this position

Job Location: One position is available in each of the following areas: the 36th, 37th or 42nd Circuit; the 8th, 15th, 16th or 43rd Circuit; or the 24th or 32nd Circuit.

DEFINITION:

This position is within the Children’s Division Critical Investigations Unit (CIU). The role is responsible for investigating reports of child abuse/neglect fatalities, near-fatalities, and complex cases across a large regional geographic area.

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!

Responsibilities - What you’ll do

• Carry a caseload of investigative cases involving child abuse/neglect fatalities and near-fatalities, including but not limited to cases involving homicide, internal injuries, skull fractures, subdural hemorrhage/hematoma, brain damage, dismemberment, and/or poisoning.
• Participate in an on-call rotation while maintaining a teamwork-oriented atmosphere within the unit.
• Manage high-profile and/or challenging cases requiring sound judgment and emotional resilience.
• Attend court hearings, death review panels, and child abuse/neglect review boards, providing professional testimony and case updates.
• Interact, network and/or co-investigate with multi-disciplinary partners, which include but are not limited to law enforcement, juvenile offices, prosecuting attorney offices, victim advocates, child advocacy centers, children’s hospitals, medical services, State Assistance Technical Team (STAT), SAFE-CARE physician network, forensic experts, medical examiners, forensic pathologists, public officials and community organizations.
• Prepare detailed reports and documentation that are accurate, timely, and thorough.
• Attend specialized trainings related to death-investigation and child fatality casework.
• Travel regionally and occasionally statewide, which may require overnight stays.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Qualifications - All you need for success

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 for children include casework/case management of child abuse and neglect, homicide, fatalities and near-fatalities. 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

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably a degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice 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 bases and, Five or more years of professional experience with a public or private agency in the delivery of protective services for children including casework/case management of child abuse and neglect, homicide, fatalities and near-fatalities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The person selected for this position should have extensive child abuse/neglect, homicide and child death and near-fatal investigative experience. This experience includes responding to child death scenes, gathering evidence, obtaining photographs, deploying investigative minded casework, and interviewing involved parties.
• Be detail-oriented, able to work independently, and proficient with computer technology.
• Maintain excellent organization, self-motivation, and multitasking skills, along with strong interpersonal abilities.
• Experience working in emotionally charged situations.
• Experience with exposure to emotionally distressing material, to include death scenes and situations involving deceased children.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to social service programs, to include ensuring safety of children in a home.
• Ability to interact with and complete assignments in a manner sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, applicants, recipients, other agencies and the public. Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations and policy.
• Ability to use automated office equipment and computer systems include child welfare/case management systems, databases and other personal computer applications.
• Strong understanding of child safety and ability to respond immediately to safety threats.
• Ability to navigate differing perspectives with professionalism, respect and a victim-centered focus.

Necessary 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.
• Ability to travel throughout assigned regions within the State of Missouri as needed.

Job Details - 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.

Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:

CD-HR@dss.mo.gov

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.