South Dakota State Case Work Specialist

Lifeline Children's Services; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeline Children's Services in Rapid City, SD seeks a direct caseworker to provide services across pregnancy counseling, adoption, foster care, and church-based programs. The role partners with the State Director to support programs and meet KPIs, with a flexible scope depending on state needs and caseload distribution.

The position emphasizes compassionate case management, coordination with partners, and maintaining compliance across Lifeline services in a fast-paced state team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work (preferred) or related human services field.
• No experience needed except where required by State.
• Licensure not required unless required by State; social work licensure strongly preferred.
• Must lift at least 25lbs, must have reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers, clients and ministry partners
• Actively participates on the team in a manner aligned with scripture including, but not limited to, praying for and with other team members, sharing scripture in daily activities and leadership, modeling the character of Jesus Christ in interactions with team and any external clients, partners, vendors, etc.
• Disciples ministry partners and clients.
• Aligns team dynamics, internal & external processes, and final product of team’s work with Biblical principles and Lifeline’s Core Values
• Conducting adoption information meetings (in person and virtual).
• Providing options counseling to prospective families across all state programs (international, domestic, foster care, harbor families, hosting, foster care adoption).
• Raising awareness of the need of families for waiting children.
• Building and maintaining relational, in-person connections with community referral sources.
• Conducting trainings and outreach to equip partners to better support expectant parents.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work (preferred) or related human services field

Job description

Location

Rapid City, SD

Status

Full-time

Position Summary

Provides direct casework services across Lifeline programs—including pregnancy counseling, adoption (domestic and international), foster care, and church-based programs—based on the current state programs and caseload needs. Serves as a core member of the state team, partnering closely with the State Director and state staff to achieve assigned strategic objectives, annual goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Role Scope and Focus Variability

This position is designed to serve across multiple program areas—including pregnancy counseling, adoption casework, foster care services, and church partnerships—with the understanding that the primary focus of the role will vary by state based on community needs, program offerings, and current caseloads. While this job description reflects the full scope of responsibilities that may be assigned, each state role will emphasize certain areas more heavily than others. Applicants should be comfortable with a flexible role structure and motivated to serve where the need is greatest within their assigned state. The immediate need for this specific role is Pregnancy Counseling and Harbor Families.

Responsibilities

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers, clients and ministry partners


• Actively participates on the team in a manner aligned with scripture including, but not limited to, praying for and with other team members, sharing scripture in daily activities and leadership, modeling the character of Jesus Christ in interactions with team and any external clients, partners, vendors, etc.


• Disciples ministry partners and clients.


• Aligns team dynamics, internal & external processes, and final product of team’s work with Biblical principles and with Lifeline’s Core Values

Family Recruitment

• Conducting adoption information meetings (in person and virtual).


• Providing options counseling to prospective families across all state programs (international, domestic, foster care, harbor families, hosting, foster care adoption.


• Raising awareness of the need of families for waiting children.

Pregnancy Counseling Networking

• Building and maintaining relational, in-person connections with community referral sources.


• Conducting trainings and outreach to equip partners to better support expectant parents.


• Developing and sustaining referral relationships by empowering partners to share adoption well and make relational referrals.

Pregnancy Counseling Client Services

• Conduct intake and orientation interviews with clients using client-centered interviewing as the foundation for quality social casework.


• Provide comprehensive assessments of expectant mom’s dynamics, interpersonal relationships, environmental stressors, supports, and mental health status to determine client readiness and program eligibility.


• Provide ongoing case management throughout the expectant mom journey, assisting moms in navigating challenges, solving problems, and making informed decisions from application through placement, and post placement services and case completion.


• Maintain consistent communication and availability to clients before, during, and after placements, or services, including in-person visits, phone calls, email communication, and documentation of all case activity.


• Provide counseling and crisis intervention for clients including advocacy to appropriate medical, legal, community, and insurance resources as needed.

Church Based Programs

• Developing and cultivating partnerships with local churches using Lifeline’s church-based programs


• Recruiting, coordinating, training, and providing follow-up support for church-based programs, including Families Count, Heritage Builders, Worthy, and Harbor Families.


• Providing ongoing support to churches actively engaged in church-based programs.


• Strengthening relationships between partner churches and community or state referral sources.


• Harbor Families: Implements Harbor Families family preservation program by serving as initial contact for families in crisis, networking in the community to increase the awareness and utilization of the program services, and by serving as the primary contact for volunteer assessment, equipping, and support.

Family Services (Adoption, FC, FCA)

• Provide comprehensive assessments of family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, environmental stressors, supports, and mental health status to determine client readiness and program eligibility.


• Complete home studies, assessments, required training and evaluations in compliance with agency standards and all applicable federal, state, and program-specific requirements.


• Maintain consistent communication and availability to families before, during, and after services, including in-person visits, phone calls, email communication, and documentation of all case activity.


• Prepare, manage, and ensure accuracy and timeliness of all required documentation, including home studies, case notes, assessments, legal paperwork, court documents, medical records, and database entries.


• Ensure all information required to approve home studies and any post work is complete, accurate, and on file within required timelines.


• Schedule and complete post-placement, or post-adoption visits, providing direct client evaluation, intervention, and written reporting in accordance with program requirements.


• Focus on the needs and welfare of children and families throughout the process, prioritizing best-interest decision-making at all stages.


• Complete home assessments for contract (state services only) families as assigned, using the same standards of assessment and client-centered consultation.


• Practice all casework in accordance with Lifeline’s ethical and professional standards through ongoing training, supervision, and participation in required meetings.


• Provide spiritual support in a non-threatening manner, including opportunities for gospel-centered encouragement, discipleship, and prayer when appropriate.

Church Engagement

• Developing and cultivating partnerships with local churches using Lifeline’s church-based programs, campaigns, resources, and initiatives.


• Be a training resource and bridge builder for local church partnerships, including but not limited to CPS and other local community partners.


• Pursuing live presence opportunities in churches across the state, including hosting tables, sharing information, facilitating adoption information meetings, and speaking on the biblical mandate to care for vulnerable children.


• Increasing the number of local church partners of all levels (Connected, Engaged and Champion) annually.


• Encourage churches to become a Lifeline giving partner.

Advancement

• Build and grow existing and new relationships with churches, families, volunteers, businesses, donors, and foundations.


• Assisting with the planning and execution of marketing, fundraising and all state events to promote Lifeline’s mission and impact across the state.

Other Duties

• Assisting in agency-related events, including the annual staff retreat, the annual dinner, anniversary celebrations, across all Lifeline programs


• Maintains good relationships with co-workers, including solving all disputes in a Biblically prescribed fashion


• Represents the agency in a professional manner in and away from the office.


• Encourages and supports church engagement efforts, including live presence opportunities, adoption information meetings, and biblical teaching on caring for vulnerable children.


• If qualified by the state, conduct home studies, post placement/adoption reports or other related adoption services for families in your geographical area when necessary.


• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or member of the Executive team

All roles at Lifeline are designed to function as a flexible, team-based position. While primary responsibilities are outlined, employees may be asked to support additional programs, service areas, or initiatives based on organizational needs, workload/caseload demands, and supervisor direction. Any additional duties will be consistent with the employee’s training, licensure, role classification, and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) status and will not fundamentally change the nature of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work (preferred) or a related human services field (whichever is required by State)


• No experience needed except where required by State


• License not required unless required by State; Social Work licensure, strongly preferred


• Must lift at least 25lbs, must have reliable transportation

Work Environment

• This position operates in a professional office environment.