Family Services Specialist

the South Dakota State Government•Pierre, SD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist works for the Department of Social Services’ Division of Child Protection Services, helping assess child safety, provide interventions, and secure 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 analysis of danger threats to children. It provides intervention services after a determination that conditions in the home threaten child safety, and manages 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; develops case plans; assesses resource-family needs and provides support; and identifies relatives as possible placement resources. The role also responds to emergencies involving alleged child abuse or neglect on a 24-hour basis. Duties take place in departmental offices, client homes, and courtrooms. The role may involve high stress, emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, physical danger, contagious diseases, and work with families affected by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or emotional maltreatment. It requires lifting up to 30 pounds safely, a valid driver’s license, and considerable field travel that may include overnight travel. A flexible schedule may include evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends; crisis or case situations may require evening and weekend responses. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field, though relevant experience may be considered, and demonstrates strong relationship-building, communication, technology, documentation, time-management, prioritization, initiative, and critical-thinking skills. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, in Pierre, South Dakota, and pays $27.00 per hour depending on qualifications.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field is preferred; relevant experience may be considered.
Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships and demonstrate compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact.
Actively listen, elicit needed information, and communicate accurately and effectively, orally and in writing.
Utilize computerized data and technology systems.
Prepare clear, concise documentation, reports, and correspondence reflecting relevant facts.
Use time-management skills and prioritize multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.
Take initiative with minimal supervision and use critical-thinking skills.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to safely lift up to 30 pounds.
Attach a resume to the application.
Successful applicants must undergo a background investigation and abuse and neglect screening.
Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Form I-9; the employer uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

A National Career Readiness Certificate may be submitted with the application but is not necessary for consideration.

Responsibilities

Complete assessments with families alleged to have maltreated their children, including analysis of danger threats to children.
Provide intervention services when conditions in the home are determined to threaten child safety.
Manage ongoing 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 regarding reports of alleged child abuse or neglect.