Family Services Specialist

the South Dakota State Government•Spearfish, SD

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Child Protection Services impacts children and families' lives every day by assessing safety, providing intervention, and securing stability for children. If you are committed to helping children and families; have excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills; and are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for children and families, this may be an opportunity for you to make a difference in a child's life. 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.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a human service-related field is preferred or relevant experience may be considered.
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
Valid driver's license
Background investigation
Abuse and neglect screening
Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9

Nice To Haves

National Career Readiness Certificate

Responsibilities

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