Family Services Specialist

Location: Mobridge, SD
Salary: $27.00 hourly + $2.50 geographic differential pay
Closing Date: 08.28.2026

About the Role

The Division of Child Protection Services impacts children and families’ lives every day by assessing safety, providing intervention, and securing stability for children. 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 that conditions in the home threaten child safety.
• Providing ongoing safety management through out-of-home placement of children or in-home safety plans 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, and monitoring children placed in out-of-home care.
• Case planning and assessing needs of resource families while 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, including departmental offices, client homes, and courtrooms.
• May encounter high-level stress, emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger or contagious diseases.
• Works with families who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and/or emotional maltreatment.
• Requires lifting up to 30 pounds safely.
• May require a flexible schedule, including evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends. Crisis or case situations can occur at any time.
• Considerable field travel may be required, including overnight travel.
• Requires a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field is preferred, though relevant experience may be considered.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact when interacting with others.
• Strong active listening, communication, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in utilizing computerized data and technology systems.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise documentation, reports, and correspondence.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and assume initiative.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation, including an abuse and neglect screening. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options.
• Retirement benefits (Class A retirement under SDRS).