Family Services Specialist

State of South Dakota; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive $2,000

Health insurance options

Retirement benefits

Job summary

State of South Dakota in Rapid City seeks a dedicated child protection worker to assess safety and provide intervention for families with maltreatment concerns.

The role involves collaboration with courts and child welfare partners, safety planning, and potential out-of-home placements. A bachelor’s degree in a human service field is preferred, with emphasis on compassion, communication, and problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze complex safety concerns and document findings clearly.
• Ability to work with diverse families and households.

Responsibilities

• Complete assessments of families where maltreatment is alleged.
• Provide intervention and safety planning for in-home or out-of-home placements.
• Coordinate with courts and social services to support foster/adoptive placements.
• Testify when required and locate relatives for placement resources.
• Respond to emergencies and manage case planning and reporting.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Job description

• $2,000 Hiring Incentive! ***

Job Details

Job ID: 37361

Agency: Department of Social Services - Division of Child Protection Services

Location: Rapid City, SD

Salary: $27.00 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: I

Closing Date: open until filled

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the Department of Social Services, please visit https://dss.sd.gov/.

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 relevant experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• 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 and accurately, both orally and in writing;
• utilize computerized data and technology systems;
• prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflect relevant facts;
• 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.

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.

Contact Information

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"