STATE AGENCIES

Missouri State Government is comprised of many state entities serving a variety of functions for the citizens of Missouri. The following list of offices and agencies will give you a brief idea of their individual role. Opportunities exist within each of them in the ever expanding field of information technology.

Office of the Governor

As Chief Executive Officer of the State of Missouri, the Governor appoints all members of boards and commissions, the heads of all departments in state government and all vacancies in public offices unless otherwise provided by law.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

The ex-officio president of the Missouri Senate, the Lieutenant Governor is also available for service in the absence of the Governor.

Office of the Secretary of State

The Secretary of State is the chief election official in Missouri, bearing responsibility for administration of statewide elections. In addition, the office is a clearinghouse of information, both current and historical.

Office of the Auditor

This office audits all state agencies, boards and commissions; as well as state, municipal and circuit courts, and most of the state’s counties.

Office of State Courts Administrator

OSCA is responsible for providing a variety of services to the courts including: technical assistance, management services, education and training programs, data processing and systems analysis, administrative procedure evaluation, compilation of statistics, and case processing assistance.

Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer acts as custodian of all state funds and conducts what is essentially a banking operation.

Office of the Attorney General

This office serves as the legal counsel for the state. He or she represents the legal interests of Missouri and its people as a group, but cannot represent individual citizens in private legal actions.

Office of Administration

This department is a service and administrative agency created by the General Assembly to combine and coordinate the management functions of state government.

Department of Agriculture

This department is charged with the protection of the state’s producers, distributors and consumers of food and fiber, while marketing Missouri products at home and abroad.

Department of Conservation

This department controls, manages, restores, conserves and regulates the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources.

Department of Corrections

This department supervises felons and misdemeanants assigned to it by the courts.

Department of Economic Development

This department administers programs relating to the promotion of the economy of the state, trade and business, as well as the administration of programs which support job placement.

Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

This department assists local school districts in carrying out state and federal educational laws and regulations.

Department of Health and Senior Services

This department promotes and protects the public’s health through education, disease and injury prevention, regulation, and direct delivery of health care services.

Department of Higher Education

This department serves as the state’s planning agency and carries out the goals and administrative responsibilities for the state system of higher education.

Department of Transportation

This department is responsible for five viable transportation alternatives available to Missourians: highways, aviation, waterways, transit and railroads. The department is also responsible for operation the state’s highway system and deciding highway location, design, construction and maintenance.

Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration

This department is charged with the regulation of the insurance industry, the regulatory compliance of Missouri’s financial institutions, and protects consumers by licensing and regulating over 400,000 professional Missourians through the support of 38 professional boards and commissions.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

This department administers programs which provide an income contribution for workers to offset the loss of a job, injury or layoff, resolve matters of majority representation and appropriate bargaining units.

Department of Mental Health

This department works with programs dealing with substance abuse, mental disorders, and developmental disabilities; implements rehabilitation programs for persons with those conditions, and educates the public about mental health.

Department of Natural Resources

This department protects Missouri’s environment, deals with the critical area of energy, helps develop mineral resources, and works to preserve the state’s historic and cultural heritage.

Department of Public Safety

This department ensures the safety and security of Missouri’s citizens and their property. It is responsible for all elements of law enforcement, criminal investigation, and public safety and homeland security activities undertaken by state government, and also for coordinating these efforts with local and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Department of Revenue

This department serves as the central collection agency for all state monies. It administers Missouri’s tax laws, motor vehicle and watercraft registrations and titles, driver’s licenses, and collects the proper amount of taxes and fees due the State of Missouri.

Department of Social Services

This department coordinates and integrates programs designed to serve the public in areas such as child support enforcement, family services and youth services.