Associate/Social Services Specialist

Job Location: This position will be located at the closest office based on the chosen applicant's location in Lincoln, Warren, St. Charles, and surrounding areas.

Why you’ll love this position:

Do you want to be a part of a team that makes a difference in the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities? In this position as part of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, your work will contribute to the mission of promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of vulnerable Missourians. Are you interested in having weekends and holidays off and not being on call? Then this is the position for you! This position is in a supportive environment that values both teamwork and autonomy.

What you’ll do:

• Conduct initial assessments/reassessments in accordance with all DSDS policy and regulations to enable senior and/or disabled adults remain in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinate Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program services such as housekeeping, meal preparation, health, and/or personal care by making/receiving contact with participants and providers to complete service authorizations.
• Develop and implement a care plan that meets the participant’s unmet needs by making participant contact, collateral contacts and home visit(s), considering participant choice of providers.
• Represent DSDS in administrative hearings.
• Travel within a multi-county area to conduct home visits, attend hearings and training sessions, utilizing your personal vehicle when necessary.
• Assume accountability and responsibility over the program's integrity, operations, and success.

All you need for success:

• Associate Social Services Specialist:
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher level degree from an accredited college or university (no prior experience working with the elderly or disabled or in a related field)
• Starting salary = $40,428.48 (after 1 year, promotion to Social Services Specialist. Salary = $43,662.72)
• Social Services Specialist:
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher level degree from an accredited college or university (substitutions may be allowed) or
• 4 years’ experience with the Division of Senior and Disability Services (or)
• Registered Nurse who is licensed and in good standing in Missouri (or)
• Licensed Practical Nurse who is licensed and in good standing in Missouri with 1 or more years experience working as an LPN (or)
• 4 years’ experience with an Area Agency on Aging focused on the elderly or disabled (or)
• Multi-lingual (must be approved by DSDS and needed in the area)
• Salary = $43,662.72
• Strong interviewing and communication skills
• Keen to detail and documentation
• Exhibit disability & cross-generational awareness
• Prior experience with customer service and working with the elderly, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable population is preferred

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• One or more years of experience working with the elderly and or disabled population or other related human services field.

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

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 .

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• State of Missouri

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