This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the Department of Social Services, please visit https://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 child’s life.

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; 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; 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.

Incumbent may be required to work a flexible schedule which may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours. Emergency response duties may be required. In and out-of-state travel may be required.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, or other human service-related fields is 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. 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• 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.

Skills to:

• 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 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 other;
• 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.

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.