Program Specialist

Job Location: Base is negotiable within Missouri.

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**

• Oversee programmatic processes for curriculum and training with a partner agency regarding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) to help expand awareness and understanding of substance use disorders, overdose prevention and response strategies, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment options, and other SUD-related topics to a variety of audiences.
• Collect and monitor data connected to SUD training
• Collaborate with the Department of Early and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood as the Children’s Division Liaison for Home Visiting Program
• Assist with implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
• Develop and oversee contracts as related to assigned programs
• Collect and monitor data related to FFPSA services
• Facilitate meetings and workgroups related to assigned programs with contracted providers and field leadership to identify barriers and challenges and solutions leading to programmatic improvements
• Provide technical assistance to field staff related to assigned programs
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders on both local and statewide levels
• Complete periodic case reviews for all assigned programs
• Other duties as assigned and developed within prevention programs

All You Need For Success

Minimum Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or High School Equivalent andEight or more years of professional or technical experience providing social services; or conducting investigations or audits of social service providers, recipients, and/or applicants.
• Two or more years of experience as a Senior Social Services Specialist (CSSP).

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Substitutions allowed); and,

Four or more years of professional or technical experience providing social services; or conducting investigations or audits of social service providers, recipients, and/or applicants.

(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)).

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the stated college education.) **

(Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant)**

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to travel throughout the State of Missouri as needed
• This individual should have strong written, oral and analytical skills with knowledge and experience related to child welfare issues.
• Candidate should possess strong organization skills and ability to complete tasks and projects autonomously
• It is preferable, but not required, that qualified candidates have some FACES knowledge and Children’s Division background.

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

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.