Intern - Child Protection Services (Spring)

Sdsoybean; Yankton (SD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Social Services in Yankton, SD invites an Intern - Child Protection Services for the Spring session (January–May). The role supports Family Services Specialists in safeguarding children, coordinating family team meetings, and aiding foster/relative placement efforts.

Applicants should be students in social work or related fields, with strong communication skills and willingness to travel within the state. Monday–Friday schedule typical, with occasional extra hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a part-time/full-time student.
• Completed one year (nine months) by internship start.
• Preference for juniors/seniors, SD residents or SD institutions.
• Background check required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Family Services Specialists with cases involving safety of children.
• Engage in direct interventions and coordinate family meetings.
• Support foster/relative placements and matching resource families.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team player

Education

Coursework in social work/psychology/sociology/child development

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Intern - Child Protection Services (Spring) - 36626

Yankton, SD | Social Services | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

20.82 - 20.82 US per hour

Posted 2 months ago | Apply before September 25, 2026

Description

Session: Spring (January - May)
Position Title:Intern - Child Protection Services
Hiring Manager: Linda Deming-Paulson
Agency:Department of Social Services
Location: Yankton
Minimum Salary: $20.82

Position Description

This position’s primary purpose is to assist Family Services Specialists with families whose children have been reported or identified as being unsafe and who may be placed out of their parent’s home. These duties may include direct interventions with children and families through a wide range of services. Responsibilities may include receiving reports from the community regarding allegations of child maltreatment, assessments with families regarding allegations of child maltreatment, interventions with families to address change needed to secure child safety in their homes, coordinating and facilitating family team meetings recruitment and support of foster and relative homes caring for maltreated children, and the matching of resource families for children unable to return to their birth families.

Coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, child development, or a related field of study is preferred. The applicant must be willing to work as part of a team, have knowledge of Microsoft Office, have strong communication skills and must be willing to travel throughout the state with Division staff. Normal work schedule is Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., but there may be times when additional hours are necessary.

Qualifications

Applicant must be enrolled as a part-time/full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute at the time they apply. By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.

All students are encouraged to apply, but preference may be given to applicants with a standing of junior/senior, South Dakota residents, and students of South Dakota institutions.

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