Family Services Specialist

Sdsoybean; Eagle Butte (SD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Dental and vision

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Social Services, located in Eagle Butte or Pierre, seeks a dedicated social services professional. This full-time role involves assessing family safety, delivering intervention services, and coordinating foster or adoption placements while collaborating with the court system.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving abilities in diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human service field preferred.
• Experience in child protection or social services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess families to determine safety and intervention needs.
• Coordinate and monitor safety plans and out-of-home or in-home placements.
• Work with courts, including testifying as needed.
• Identify foster/adoptive placements and support resource families.
• Respond to emergencies 24/7 and engage in case planning.

Skills

Communication

Active listening

Time management

Critical thinking

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Job description

Eagle Butte, SD or Pierre, SD | Social Services | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

27.00 - 27.00 US per hour

Posted 2 days ago | Apply before September 21, 2026

Description

Job ID: 36371
Agency: Department of Social Services / Child Protection Services
Location:Eagle Butte, SD (preferred) or Pierre, SDSalary:$27.00 Hourly, depending on qualifications (Eagle Butte location offers +$2.50 hourly geographical differential)
Pay Grade:I
Closing Date: 09.21.2026

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 .

Eagle Butte location offers a ***$2,000.00 Hiring Incentive***

Summary:

The Division of Child Protection Services impacts children and families’ lives every day by assessing safety, providing intervention, and securing stability for children. If you are committed to helping children and families; have excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills; and are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for children and families, this may be an opportunity for you to make a difference in a child’s life.

This position is responsible for completing assessments with families from diverse economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds alleged to have maltreated their children including analysis of danger threats to children; providing intervention services with families after a determination has occurred that conditions in the home threaten child safety; providing ongoing safety management through out of home placement of child or an in home safety plan when children remain in the home; working with the court system including testifying when children are placed in the custody of the state; finding foster and adoptive homes for children; recommending placements; monitoring children placed in out of home care; case planning; assessing needs of resource families and providing support services; identifying and locating relatives for possible placement resources for children placed in out of home care; responding to emergencies regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect on a 24 hour basis.

Working Conditions:

Duties are performed in a variety of settings ranging from departmental offices to client homes to courtrooms. An applicant may encounter high-level stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger and contagious diseases. This position works with families who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and/or emotional maltreatment. This position requires lifting up to 30 pounds in a safe manner. Applicants may be required to work a flexible schedule which may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours. Crisis or case situations can occur at any time which may require evening and weekend responses. Considerable field travel may be required to include overnight travel. This position requires a valid driver's license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

a bachelor's degree in a human service-related field is preferred;

OR

abachelor's degree in a human service-related field is preferred or relevant experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of:

• establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships and demonstrate
• compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact when interacting with others;
• actively listen, elicit needed information and communicate information effectively andaccurately, both orally and in writing;
• utilize computerized data and technology systems;
• prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflect relevantfacts;
• utilize time management skills and prioritization of multiple demands in a fast-paced environment;
• assume initiative with minimal supervision while utilizing critical thinking skills;

Additional Requirements:

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening.

A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

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.You can view our benefits information here .This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.