Family Services Specialist

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.

Responsibilities

• Complete assessments with families from diverse economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds alleged to have maltreated their children including analysis of danger threats to children.
• Provide intervention services with families after a determination has occurred that conditions in the home threaten child safety.
• Work with the court system including testifying when children are placed in the custody of the state.
• Find foster and adoptive homes for children; recommend placements; monitor children placed in out of home care; case plan; assess needs of resource families and provide support services.
• Identify and locate relatives for possible placement resources for children placed in out of home care.
• Respond to emergencies regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect on a 24 hour basis.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a human service-related field is preferred.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships and demonstrate compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact when interacting with others.
• Actively listen, elicit needed information and communicate information effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing.
• Utilize computerized data and technology systems.
• Prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflect relevant facts.
• Utilize time management skills and prioritize multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Assume initiative with minimal supervision while utilizing critical thinking skills.

Skills

• Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options.
• Retail benefits.
• This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Pay

• Hiring Incentive limited to Lake Andes location only. $2.50 Geographical Pay limited to Lake Andes and not available to Mitchell.

Schedule

• Full-Time position with the Department of Social Services - Child Protection Services.