IT Product Owner

South Dakota State Government; South Dakota; On-site; USD 79,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Social Services is seeking an experienced IT project leader for the Division of Economic Assistance. You will collaborate with leadership to align technology initiatives with program goals, manage contracts, and lead cross-functional teams through all project phases.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in IT or related field, knowledge of economic assistance programs, and strong communication and organizational skills to drive projects to successful completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, social work, public administration, or other human service related field is preferred.
• Experience with economic assistance programs and information systems is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively and meet deadlines.
• Ability to plan and organize multiple demands and priorities to complete assignments on time.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Economic Assistance leadership to align technology projects with business needs and program goals.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts for information technology systems.
• Lead diverse teams of program and information system professionals through all project phases from planning to maintenance.
• Ensure strong partnership with BIT on technology and security requirements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches; communicate progress to stakeholders.
• Maintain project governance, monitoring, and risk mitigation; develop and document plans and decisions.
• Drive change management during transitions to new information systems and processes.

Skills

Effective communication

Planning & organizing

Compassion & tact

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Job description

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

79,138 - 111,724 US per year

Posted 2 days ago | Apply before November 3, 2026

Description

Job ID: 38211
Agency: Department of Social Services / Division of Economic Assistance
Location: Statewide, SDSalary: $79,138.33-$111,724.70 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: L
Closing Date: 11.3.2026

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.

Our Culture:

Family focused. Person centered.

At our organization it is the belief that every South Dakota family has the right to be safe and secure. We believe in respecting individuals and cultural differences by treating people with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Our Department:

Build Strong Families, South Dakota’s Foundation and Our Future.

The Department of Social Services aims to strengthen and support individuals and families, connecting them with resources to foster independent and healthy lives.

Our Team:

Dependable. Committed. Compassionate.

As a member of the Department of Social Services you will be part of a team of professionals who are dependable, committed, and compassionate. We believe collaborative communication, teamwork, partnerships, and trust are foundational to the delivery of essential family services.

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;
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

What you will do:

• collaborate with Economic Assistance leadership to ensure technology project alignment with business user needs and program goals;
• manage vendor relationships and contracts associated with information technology systems;
• lead diverse teams of program and information system professionals through all project phases of project implementations from planning, design, development, implementation, deployment, and system maintenance;
• ensure strong partnership and collaboration with the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) on technology and security requirements;
• collaborate with cross-functional teams, including development, design, and training, to ensure successful product launches;
• communicate project progress, updates, and status to stakeholders and senior management, ensuring transparency and effective decision-making;
• ensure project governance and monitoring controls are in place, such as monitoring and tracking project progress, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track;
• develop and manage project documentation including project plans, status reports, and documentation of project-related decisions and changes;
• identify project risks and developing and document mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues and ensure project success;
• facilitate transitions to new information systems and processes through change management strategies. Remain current on trends and emergent information systems that support program goals and needs;
• assisting in building and completing IT Strategy related projects working in collaboration with internal and external resources;
• collaborating with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business goals and requirements;
• developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, and resource allocation, and managing project budgets to ensure successful project execution;
• leading project teams, coordinating activities, and assigning tasks to team members, ensuring adherence to project schedules and milestones;
• managing changes to project scope, timelines, and requirements, and assessing their impact on project deliverables and resources;
• conducting regular project meetings and facilitating effective communication among team members and stakeholders;
• ensure adherence to project management methodologies, best practices, and quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Working conditions or other specific requirements:

May require occasional instate travel.

Education, Licenses and Certifications:

A bachelor’s degree in information technology, social work, public administration, or other human service related field is preferred.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• have knowledge of Economic Assistance programs including Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Energy Assistance, and Child Care Assistance and information systems;
• 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; and
• conceptualize needed change and initiate appropriate activities to move from concepts to implementation.

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!

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC:If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office.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.