Family Services Specialist

Job ID: 23192
Agency: Department of Social Services - Division of Child Protection Services
Location: Eagle Butte
Salary: $28.05 DOE
Pay Grade: GI
Closing Date: 06.23.23

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the Department of Social Services, please visit https://dss.sd.gov/.

Our Culture: Family focused. Person centered. At our organization it is the belief that every South Dakota family has the right to be safe and secure. We believe in respecting individuals and cultural differences by treating people with dignity, fairness and respect.

Our Department: Build Strong Families, South Dakota's Foundation and Our Future. The Department of Social Services aims to strengthen and support individuals and families, connecting them with resources to foster independent and healthy lives.

Our Team: Dependable. Committed. Compassionate. BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES REQUISITION REQUEST rev 09/2020 As a member of the Department of Social Services you will be part of a team of professionals who are dependable, committed, and compassionate. We believe collaborative communication, teamwork, partnerships, and trust are foundational to the delivery of essential family services.

Who we want:

• a highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• a compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas; •
• a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities;
• a person who is dedicated and who will represent the Department of Social Service with integrity and enthusiasm;
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

What you will do:

• gather detailed information from the public regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect;
• complete assessments with families alleged to have maltreated their children including analysis of safety threats to children;
• make a determination about removal of children from unsafe environments; •providing ongoing safety management through out of home placement of child or an in home safety plan when children remain in the home;
• 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;
• 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;
• recruiting foster and adoptive homes;
• respond to emergencies regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect on a 24-hour basis.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, or other human service-related fields may be considered as applicable to the entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• theories and concepts related to culture, child development, family connections and family dynamics and their influence on child and parental relationships and behavior;
• needs and potential sources of conflict for children in placement and appropriate placement resources;
• current practices and interventions used in responding to child abuse and neglect and its effect on child safety and in responding to issues caused by children being removed from their homes (preferred but not required)
• 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;
• utilize computerized data systems;
• effectively plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines; •prepare clear and concise documentation, reports and correspondence that reflect relevant facts;
• demonstrate compassion, respect, courtesy, and tact when interacting with others;
• assume initiative with minimal supervision;
• observe and correctly assess situations;
• display confidence and innovation despite adversity;
• understand concepts related to client confidentiality;
• comprehend, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, laws and regulations; conceptualize needed change and initiate appropriate activities to move from concepts to implementation.

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.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

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.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation, and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=MJA
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"