Family Services Specialist

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 35025 Agency: Department of Social Services - Division of Child Protection Services Location: Mitchell S.D. Salary: $26.62 Hourly, depending on qualifications Pay Grade: IC Closing Date: Open until filled

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

Protecting Children…Strengthening Families…. Preserving Futures. 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 childs life.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for gathering detailed information from the public regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect, reviewing reports of child abuse and/or neglect, and determining appropriate agency response. The incumbent will also complete assessments with families alleged to have maltreated their children, including analysis of safety threats to children, making a determination about removal of children from unsafe environments, providing intervention services with families after a determination has occurred that conditions in the home threaten child safety, and providing ongoing safety management throughout-out-of-home placement of a child or an in-home safety plan when children remain in the home.

Key Responsibilities

• Working 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
• Responding to emergencies regarding reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect on a 24-hour basis

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a bachelors degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, or other human service-related fields, preferred. Entry-level knowledge and abilities may be acquired through any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the incumbent to possess the required 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
• Current practices and interventions used in responding to child abuse and neglect and its effect on child safety
• Skills to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships, 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 system, Microsoft Word preferred but not required
• Prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflect relevant facts
• Effectively plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines
• Gather and analyze data, reason logically and accurately, and solve problems using common sense reasoning and resourcefulness
• Assume initiative with minimal supervision, observe and correctly assess situations, provide training and work direction to others
• Gather and analyze data, reason logically and accurately, and solve problems using common sense reasoning and resourcefulness

Additional Requirements

To be considered, please attach your resume.

Position Eligibility

This position is eligible for Veterans Preference per ARSD 55100208.

Background Investigation

Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

Work Authorization

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.

E-Verify

The State of South Dakota will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

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. You can view our benefits information here.

Application Instructions

Must apply online: http://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcmxml/shorturl.do?key3LV

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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