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 including analysis of danger threats to children; providing intervention services with families after a determination has occurred that conditions in the home threaten child safety; providing ongoing safety management through out of home placement of child or an in home safety plan 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; monitoring children placed in out of home care; case planning; assessing needs of resource families and 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 ranging from departmental offices to client homes to courtrooms
• May encounter high-level stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger and 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 in a safe manner
• May be required to work a flexible schedule which may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours
• Crisis or case situations can occur at any time which may require evening and weekend responses
• Considerable field travel may be required to include overnight travel
• Requires a valid driver's license

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in a human service-related field is preferred or relevant experience may be considered.

Skills

• 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 prioritization of multiple demands in a fast-paced environment
• Assume initiative with minimal supervision while utilizing critical thinking skills

Pay

$27.00 Hourly, depending on qualifications.

Benefits

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. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Additional requirements

• To be considered, please attach your resume
• This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08
• Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment
• Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening
• 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