Adoption and Permanency Family Services Specialist

Job Description

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

Job ID: 32264
Agency: Social Services - Division of Child Protection
Location: Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis SD
Salary: $26.62 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: I
Closing Date: 08/14/25

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/ .

Are you passionate about helping children find safe, permanent, and loving homes? Do you have the empathy, resilience, and organizational skills to support youth through transitions like adoption, guardianship, or preparing to live independently?

As an Adoption & Permanency Specialist, you will walk alongside children and youth after a determination is made, they cannot return home, ensuring their needs are met as they move toward a permanent family connection or adulthood. This is a deeply impactful role focused on healing, stability, and long-term well-being.

In this essential role, you will:

• Work with children and youth after reunification is no longer an option to find other permanent living arrangements, including adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care.
• Support older youth as they transition to adulthood, including identifying independent living resources and preparing for self-sufficiency.
• Search for and assess potential adoptive families or guardians, ensuring they are prepared and supported throughout the placement process.
• Coordinate services and supports for children with complex trauma histories, developmental needs, or medical considerations.
• Maintain regular home visits with children, ensuring their voice is heard and their placement remains safe and appropriate.
• Develop individualized permanency plans and transition goals, tailored to each child's unique needs and circumstances.
• Collaborate with courts, attorneys, tribes, foster parents, and community partners to advocate for the child's best interests.
• Complete required documentation and case planning in accordance with agency and state guidelines.
• Respond (when on call) to active abuse and neglect crisis situations that may involve removal of children from the home.
• Testify in court when necessary to support permanency recommendations.

Working Conditions:

Duties are performed in diverse settings including departmental offices, foster or adoptive homes, client homes and courtrooms. This position works closely with children and youth who have experienced trauma, loss, and instability due to abuse, neglect, or the loss of parental rights. Staff should be prepared to engage in emotionally sensitive conversations with children, caregivers, and families navigating adoption, guardianship, or independent living.

The position requires lifting up to 30 pounds safely and the ability to navigate varied home environments, including those that may present health or safety risks. Situations may involve exposure to illness, volatile behavior, or environments where mental health and substance use challenges are present. Support, training, and safety protocols are in place to help staff manage these situations. Some travel is required, including potential overnight stays, and a valid driver's license is necessary. This role covers a multi-county service area and occasionally requires out of state travel.

Our team works a typical Monday-Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, due to the nature of child welfare work, flexibility is sometimes necessary.

• Staff occasionally respond to after-hours needs, including evenings or weekends, when on an on-call rotation.
• Some cases may require adjusted work hours to accommodate caregiver availability, youth schedules, or long-distance travel for child visits and placement support.
• We offer flexibility to adjust your schedule when after-hours work occurs, helping staff maintain a healthy work-life balance

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:

• knowledge of theories and concepts related to culture, child development, trauma, addiction, family connections and family dynamics and their influence on child and parental relationships;
• are decisive, thoughtful, and calm under pressure;
• can build trust with families while asking difficult and sensitive questions.
• write clear, factual reports and communicate effectively with families and professionals;
• work well both independently and as part of a team;
• manage time efficiently while handling urgent, high-stakes responsibilities;
• are comfortable navigating unfamiliar homes and communities to meet families where they are;
• are resilient and self-aware, with strategies to manage stress and secondary trauma.

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 at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . 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=21V
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"

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