Economic Assistance Benefits Specialist

South Dakota AG; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 70,258,000 - 74,390,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

Department of Social Services in Rapid City, SD is seeking to hire for a Full-Time position that helps provide services to families in need. The role involves interviewing, counseling, and determining eligibility for multiple programs to support self-sufficiency.

The ideal candidate brings a bachelor’s degree or related experience, strong communication, organization, and a commitment to public service. Eligible for veterans’ preference; comprehensive benefits and retirement are offered.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, or related fields is preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Entry-level knowledge may be gained through training and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and analyze life circumstances to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families.
• Interview, counsel, verify records, and determine eligibility for multiple programs.
• Respond to public inquiries and interpret rules to ensure appropriate benefits.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Public service mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in related field

Job description

Job ID: 37729 Agency: Department of Social Services / Division of Economic Assistance Location: Rapid City, SD Salary: $24.77 Hourly, depending on qualifications Pay Grade: H Closing Date: 10.08.2026 This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the DSS, please visit https://dss.sd.gov

At the Department of Social Services (DSS), family is everything. It’s the foundation of what we do every day through provision of services to strengthen and support the citizens of South Dakota. Our work is driven with our vision to build Strong Families, South Dakota’s Foundation and Our Future. We believe families have the right to be safe and secure. We also believe in respecting individual and cultural differences by treating people with dignity, fairness, and respect. And we believe in collaborative communications, teamwork, partnerships and trust for essential family services. Sound intriguing?

As a Department of Social Services employee, you will have a chance to experience:

• Creativity – We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes.
• Making a difference – You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of fellow South Dakotans.
• Professional development – We provide valuable trainings to ensure staff is well-trained, competent, accountable and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals.
• Teamwork – In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Who We Want

• a highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• a compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas;
• a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities;
• a person who is dedicated and who will represent the Department of Social Service with integrity and enthusiasm; and
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

What You Will Do

We are currently looking to hire an individual who is excited to serve the public. This position assesses and analyzes current life circumstances and financial capabilities to provide assistance and services to low income individuals and their families by interviewing, counseling, and identifying available resources; obtaining records, verifying collateral information and determining eligibility for multiple social service programs; responding to public inquiries regarding social services and benefits; and interpreting rules, regulations, and policies to ensure appropriate benefits and services are provided in an effective and expedient manner to assist in the individual's basic self-sufficiency.

Licenses And Certifications

A bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, or other human service-related fields, business administration, public administration, education, or public health, and/or experience in health care administration, finance, accounting, or insurance is preferred. Entry level knowledge and abilities may be acquired through any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the incumbent to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• communicate effectively and efficiently;
• successfully plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines;
• demonstrate compassion, respect, courtesy and tact when interacting with others;
• display confidence and innovation despite adversity;
• establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders;
• understand concepts related to client confidentiality;
• have the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws and regulations;
• prepare clear and concise documentation, reports and correspondence that reflect relevant facts;
• assume initiative with minimal supervision.

Equally important will be a strong work ethic and the comprehension of critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. If you believe in strengthening and supporting strong families and investing in South Dakota’s future, you may have found the dream job you’ve been waiting for!

Additional Requirements

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, it is not necessary to be considered. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

An Equal Opportunity Employer