Employment

At the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Start a meaningful career with DHSS and help shape a healthier future for Missouri.

DHSS employees celebrate Walk to End Alzheimers event

We are a diverse team of professionals united by a shared mission to improve the health and safety of Missourians through innovation, education, collaboration, prevention, and service.

From internships and entry-level positions to experienced and executive roles, we offer rewarding career opportunities for individuals who are passionate about public service and making a lasting impact. Join a team where your work helps strengthen communities and improve lives across Missouri.

Apply to DHSS today.

DHSS Current Employment Opportunities

Learn more at MO Careers. Choose ‘Search Jobs’.

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About Our Work

Division of Senior and Disability Services

The Division of Senior and Disability Services plays a crucial role as the state unit on aging. This division oversees and ensures the health and safety of seniors and people with disabilities who receive long‑term care in their homes or communities. Join their team as a

Adult Protective Services (APS) Specialist
Social Services Specialist
APS or Social Services Team Lead
APS or Social Services Unit Supervisor
Person-centered Care Planning Representative
Lead Administrative Support Assistant
And more

Division of Community and Public Health

The Division of Community and Public Health is responsible for supporting and operating more than 100 programs and initiatives addressing public health. These programs promote safety and well-being to all citizens and visitors of the state of Missouri. The division works to prevent and control chronic and communicable diseases, partners with local public health agencies to respond quickly to health risks, ensures the safety of food and water, and monitors environmental health conditions. This division also improves public health through injury prevention, nutrition services, immunizations, dental health programs, health promotion efforts, newborn screening, initiatives to expand primary care and rural health access, and by providing vital records services. Join their team as a

Epidemiologist
Public Health Program Specialist
Public Health Data Technician
Research/Data Analyst
Nutrition Specialist
Environmental Program Specialist
And more

Division of Regulation and Licensure

The Division of Regulation and Licensure issues state licenses for a variety of entities providing services that impact health and safety. Division staff determine compliance with state and/or federal regulations through inspection of the premises, care and services. Join their team as a

Long-term Care Facility Inspector
Regulatory Auditor
Registered Nurse
Long-term Care Surveyor
Compliance Manager
Project Specialist
And more

Missouri State Public Health Laboratory

The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) is dedicated to promoting, protecting and partnering for health by delivering quality public health laboratory services. These services include laboratory testing for infectious diseases, genetic disorders and environmental concerns, both in support of public health programs and as a reference laboratory performing confirmatory or specialized procedures. The MSPHL provides scientific expertise and managerial leadership to meet the challenges in clinical and environmental laboratory disciplines and in the development of public health policy. Join their team as a:

Laboratory Support Technician
Laboratory Supervisor
Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Scientist
Research/Data Analyst
And more

Division of Administration

The Division of Administration supports the daily functions of the department in a variety of ways. The division provides fiscal, administrative, human resources, training and general services support to all department divisions. Join their team as a

Accountant
Human Resources Generalist
Procurement Analyst
Accounts Assistant
Lead Administrative Support Assistant
Agency Budget Analyst
Grants Specialist
Auditor
And more

Division of Cannabis Regulation

The Division of Cannabis Regulation implements, regulates, and oversees the state’s medical and adult-use cannabis programs to create safe access to marijuana for qualifying patients and consumers. Join their team as a

Compliance Inspector
Program Specialist
Regulatory Auditor
Facility Specialist
Business Project Manager
Research/Data Analyst
And more

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a job in the Department of Health and Senior Services?

You can apply for jobs with DHSS by going to the MO Careers website. You will find all of our full-time, part-time, and temporary positions.

Who do I reach out to if I have questions about a position with the Department of Health and Senior Services?

All our open positions should include contact information for the hiring manager. If you have general questions or are unsure who to reach out to, contact DHSS.Careers@health.mo.gov.

Is filling out the online application required?

Yes, all applications must be submitted through MO Careers to be considered for employment.

Do I need a college degree to work at the Department of Health and Senior Services?

Many DHSS positions do not require a college degree or accept experience in lieu of education. We offer a variety of different careers that span many different education and experience requirements.

How long are positions open for applications?

DHSS positions are generally open for about 10 days, though this timeframe may be shorter or longer depending on the job vacancy needs. Each position should have a close date, and positions will close for application at 11:59 p.m. of the listed close date.

What benefits are provided to Department of Health and Senior Services team members?

DHSS team members enjoy 13 paid holidays, earn a minimum of 5 hours of sick leave and 5 hours of annual leave each pay period, as well as parental leave, military leave, and more. Our pension retirement plan is offered through Missouri State Employees’ Retirement Systems. Our healthcare plan is administered through Missouri Consolidated Healthcare Plan. We also have a number of educational benefits, wellness resources, and more that you can learn about at MOBenefits.mo.gov.

How often are Department of Health and Senior Services team members paid?

State employees are paid on the 15^th and the last day of each month. If these days fall on a weekend or holiday, they will be paid on the closest weekday.

DHSS Experiential Learning Interest Form

Providing college students with real-life experience

Join Our Team!

All individuals participating in an experiential learning opportunity with us are required to:

consent to a background check. Background checks must be complete and approved prior to starting with us.
submit an Internship Agreement between our department and the student's school if applicable.
complete all necessary forms to include reviewing our policies and confidentiality agreements.

Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for processing in advance of starting your experience with us!

We require up-to-date Internship Agreements between our Department and the student’s school to be on file before the experience may begin.

To learn more about public health internships visit our public health internship web page or email DHSS.Careers@health.mo.gov

Experiential Learning Program

Our Experiential Learning Program is designed to provide college students with real-life experience working alongside environmental public health specialists, public health nurses, facility surveyors, program managers and representatives, senior services staff, and other department professionals. Through this program, DHSS offers students an exceptional experience that will result in amplified knowledge of public health, adult protective services and regulatory practices.

We offer the following experiential learning opportunities:

Internship – An internship is offered to students who are required to complete one by their college, university or school for credit. During an internship, the student will work on a project(s) for the department that will result in a positive learning experience with an expected outcome. Required hours may vary depending on the student’s degree and/or school (360 hours, 400 hours, etc.).

Mentorship – A mentorship may be offered to an individual that is not required to complete an internship for their degree coursework but instead, simply desires to come into the department to gain experience in public health or senior services. A mentee will work on a project during their time here and will possibly do some shadowing with upper management. The length of a mentorship would typically be one month.

Shadowing – A shadowing experience may be offered to an individual who would like to come into the department to observe what a particular program or staff person might do in a typical work day. This experience will only involve observing and the student/individual would not be doing any hands-on work for the department. The length of a shadowing experience would typically be two days long.

DHSS Internship Information

We require all interns to fill out a form that allows us to run background checks.
We require an up-to-date Internship Agreement between our department and the student’s school to be on file before the experience may begin. If we do not already have one finalized with the school, we will begin the process as soon as we receive information about the internship. Please note that this process can be lengthy, so please plan ahead and allow plenty of time.
We have an internship packet that we require all interns to review once they begin. This packet consists of various department statements and policies that are crucial for someone coming into the department to adhere to. There are a few forms that will need to be signed by the intern within the packet.
Most internships are unpaid.
All requirements must be met with packets and forms complete and approved prior to beginning your experience with us.

DHSS Job Shadowing

We have amazing divisions to build your experience in public health and/or help you fine-tune your future career path. Before starting with us:

We require all individuals wishing to mentor or shadow to fill out a form that will allow us to run background checks.
We have a mentoring/shadowing packet that consists of a few department policies and statements that will need to be reviewed by the individual once the mentoring or shadowing experience begins.
All requirements must be met with packets and forms complete and approved prior to beginning your experience with us.

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