Family Services Specialist

the South Dakota State Government•Winner, SD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist works for the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Protection Services, assessing safety and providing intervention and stability for children and families. The position completes assessments with families from diverse economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds who are alleged to have maltreated their children, including analyzing danger threats to children. It provides intervention services when conditions in the home threaten child safety and manages ongoing safety through out-of-home placement or an in-home safety plan. The specialist works with the court system, including testifying when children are placed in state custody; finds foster and adoptive homes; recommends placements; monitors children in out-of-home care; and develops case plans. The role also assesses resource-family needs and provides support services, identifies and locates relatives as possible placement resources, and responds to reports of alleged child abuse or neglect on a 24-hour basis. Duties take place in departmental offices, client homes, and courtrooms. The role involves work with families affected by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or emotional maltreatment. Applicants may encounter high stress, emotionally charged situations, strong differences of opinion, physical danger, and contagious diseases. The position requires lifting up to 30 pounds safely, a valid driver's license, and considerable field travel, which may include overnight travel. A flexible schedule may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours, and crisis or case situations may require evening or weekend responses.

Requirements

A valid driver's license.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds safely.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours, and respond to evening or weekend crises.
Ability to undertake considerable field travel, potentially including overnight travel.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships and interact with compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact.
Ability to actively listen, elicit needed information, and communicate effectively and accurately orally and in writing.
Ability to use computerized data and technology systems.
Ability to prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence reflecting relevant facts.
Time-management and prioritization skills for multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to show initiative with minimal supervision and use critical-thinking skills.
Successful completion of a background investigation and abuse and neglect screening.
Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Form I-9; the State uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in a human-service-related field; relevant experience may be considered instead.

Responsibilities

Complete family assessments involving allegations of child maltreatment, including analysis of danger threats to children.
Provide intervention services when conditions in the home threaten child safety.
Manage ongoing child safety through out-of-home placement or an in-home safety plan.
Work with the court system, including testifying when children are placed in state custody.
Find foster and adoptive homes for children and recommend placements.
Monitor children placed in out-of-home care and develop case plans.
Assess resource-family needs and provide support services.
Identify and locate relatives as possible placement resources for children in out-of-home care.
Respond on a 24-hour basis to emergencies involving reports of alleged child abuse or neglect.