Explore a Career with the South Dakota State Government
Family Services Specialist
PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Job ID: 33081
Agency: DSS/Child Protection Services
Location:Sioux Falls, SDSalary: $26.62 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: I
Closing Date: 10/02/25
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/ .
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.
We are seeking a dedicated and flexible professional to join our team as a Regional Traveling Caseworker. This position supports the Black Hills regional offices and involves extensive travel to conduct home visits, coordinate services, and provide ongoing support for children placed outside the Black Hills region, particularly those located in the Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. The position responsibilities include: Conducting in-person visits with youth placed on the east side of the state; collaboration with Black Hills regional offices to coordinate and support child placements; Assessing the safety, permanency, and well-being of youth in out-of-home care settings; Facilitation virtual meetings between youth and their assigned Family Services Specialists during onsite visits; Transporting youth when needed; Assisting with emergency related transportation when needed; Completing comprehensive assessments with families from diverse economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds; Analyzing safety threats and implement appropriate safety plans, including in-home and out-of-home placements; Working closely with the court system, including providing testimony when children are in state custody; Identifying and recommending foster and adoptive placements; Supporting and monitoring children in care; Developing and implementing case plans tailored to the needs of each child and family; Providing support services to resource families and assess their ongoing needs; Locating and engaging relatives as potential placement resources for children in care.
Working conditions:
Duties are performed in a variety of settings ranging from departmental offices to client homes to courtrooms. An applicant may encounter high-level stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger and contagious diseases. This position works with families who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and/or emotional maltreatment. This position requires lifting up to 30 pounds in a safe manner. Applicants 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 include overnight travel. This position requires a valid driver's license.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A bachelor's degree in a human service related field is preferred or relevant experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
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.
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 $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 . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=2FR
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"
#LI-Onsite
Job ID: 33081
Agency: DSS/Child Protection Services
Location:Sioux Falls, SDSalary: $26.62 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: I
Closing Date: 10/02/25
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/ .
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.
We are seeking a dedicated and flexible professional to join our team as a Regional Traveling Caseworker. This position supports the Black Hills regional offices and involves extensive travel to conduct home visits, coordinate services, and provide ongoing support for children placed outside the Black Hills region, particularly those located in the Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. The position responsibilities include: Conducting in-person visits with youth placed on the east side of the state; collaboration with Black Hills regional offices to coordinate and support child placements; Assessing the safety, permanency, and well-being of youth in out-of-home care settings; Facilitation virtual meetings between youth and their assigned Family Services Specialists during onsite visits; Transporting youth when needed; Assisting with emergency related transportation when needed; Completing comprehensive assessments with families from diverse economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds; Analyzing safety threats and implement appropriate safety plans, including in-home and out-of-home placements; Working closely with the court system, including providing testimony when children are in state custody; Identifying and recommending foster and adoptive placements; Supporting and monitoring children in care; Developing and implementing case plans tailored to the needs of each child and family; Providing support services to resource families and assess their ongoing needs; Locating and engaging relatives as potential placement resources for children in care.
Working conditions:
Duties are performed in a variety of settings ranging from departmental offices to client homes to courtrooms. An applicant may encounter high-level stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and exposure to physical danger and contagious diseases. This position works with families who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and/or emotional maltreatment. This position requires lifting up to 30 pounds in a safe manner. Applicants 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 include overnight travel. This position requires a valid driver's license.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A bachelor's degree in a human service related field is preferred or relevant experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
- 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 and technology systems;
- Prepare clear and concise documentation, reports, and correspondence that reflect relevant facts;
- Utilize time management skills and prioritization of multiple demands in a fast paced environment;
- Assume initiative with minimal supervision while utilizing critical thinking skills.
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.
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 $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 . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=2FR
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"
#LI-Onsite
