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Family Services Specialist(Job Id 13799)

Job ID: 13799
Agency: Department of Social Services / Division of Child Protection Services 
Salary: $18.69 per hour 
Pay Grade: GI
This is a full-time position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the Department of Social Services, please visit http://dss.sd.gov.
Provides direct interventions with children and families when allegations of child maltreatment have been received; intervenes with families to address changes needed to secure children's safety in their homes; recruits and supports foster and relative homes to provide care for maltreated children; and locates permanent homes for children unable to return to their birth families.
Duties are performed in a variety of settings ranging from departmental offices to client homes to courtrooms. An incumbent may encounter high-level stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger and contagious diseases. Incumbents may be required to work a flexible schedule which may include evening, night, holiday, and weekend hours. Crisis or case situations can occur at any time which may require evening and weekend responses. Considerable field travel may be required.
To be considered, you must complete a DSS questionnaire, specific to this job, and attach it to your application.   
Steps: 
  1. Click http://bhr.sd.gov/dss/QFSSGeneralist.pdf to access the questionnaire.
  2. Complete the questionnaire and save.
  3. Attach the questionnaire to the attachments section of your application as the DSS Questionnaire document type.
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.
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. 
Ability 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;
  • 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;
  • solve problems using common sense, reasoning and resourcefulness;
  • assume initiative with minimal supervision;
  • observe and correctly assess situations.  
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 offers paid employee health insurance plus ten paid holidays, generous vacation leave accrual, and medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. For more information please visit https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources 
500 East Capitol 
Pierre, SD 57501-5070 
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Fax: 605.773.4344 
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"