Family Services Specialist(Job Id 18251)
Job ID: 18251
Agency: Department of Social Services - Child Protection Services
Location: Watertown
Salary: $21.49 per hour
Pay Grade: GI
Closing Date: 01/21/2022
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Social Services - Child Protection Services. For more information on the Department of Social Services - Child Protection Services, please visit https://dss.sd.gov/.
This position requires employees to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings, nights, holidays and weekend hours. In addition, there will be responsibilities to travel in and possibly out of state. This position will also require the successful candidate to possess a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
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 child’s life.
This position is responsible for:
- gathering detailed information from the public regarding reports of alleged abuse and/or neglect;
- reviewing reports of child abuse and/or neglect determining appropriate agency response;
- completing 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;
- 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;
- preparing families and children for adoption;
- 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;
- recruiting foster and adoptive homes;
- responding 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.
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 form their homes.;
- 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;
- prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflects 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 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.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE
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.
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 ten 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.
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
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"