Intern - Child Protection Services (Summer)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Social Services invites undergrad and graduate students to apply for an Intern - Child Protection Services in Yankton. The role supports Family Services Specialists in assessing reports and coordinating services to safeguard children at risk, with travel across the state as needed.

The internship emphasizes teamwork, coursework in social sciences, and strong communication skills. Normal hours are Mon–Fri, with some additional hours possible; background check required.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a part-time or full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute.
• By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.
• Preference may be given to juniors/seniors, SD residents, and SD institution students.
• Willing to travel statewide with Division staff.
• Background investigation will be conducted.

Responsibilities

• Assist Family Services Specialists with families whose children are unsafe or may be placed out of home.
• Receive reports and conduct assessments regarding child maltreatment.
• Interventions to address child safety and coordinate family meetings.
• Recruitment and support of foster and relative homes for maltreated children.
• Match resource families for children unable to return to birth families.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Communication skills

Travel

Education

Social work coursework

Psychology coursework

Sociology coursework

Child development coursework

Job description

Session: Summer

Position Title: Intern - Child Protection Services

Hiring Manager: Linda Deming-Paulson

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: Yankton

Minimum Salary: $20.92

*APPLICANT MUST BE A CURRENT PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME STUDENT (MINIMUM OF 6 CREDIT HOURS) IN UPCOMING SEMESTER OR IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SEMESTER.

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.

*Positions can be filled prior to the closing date.*

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone]

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'