Job Description
Job ID: 31527
Agency: Department of Human Services - South Dakota Developmental Center
Location: Redfield, SDSalary: $24.41 - $28.72 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 6/3/25
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the SD Developmental Center. For more information on the SD Developmental Center, please visit https://dhs.sd.gov/en/south-dakota-developmental-center .
The Lifespan Specialist position is a versatile position that is focuses on consistency and support to clients as SDDC in all environments. The Residential LS provides educational services for life skills development through groups, one-to-one opportunities, and activities. The LS assists with crisis intervention services, behavior management, and other individualized and specialized treatment services. The Lifespan Specialist completes and reviews agency documents and ensures submission within required timelines. They provide supervision and support for people for appointments, activities, visits, and other situations as needed upon request.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A Bachelor's Degree in human services or other related field is preferred but not required. Educational background in psychology, sociology, counseling, education, or other related fields and/or in combination with experience working with adolescents or adults who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities is requested.
Knowledge of:
- principles of basic human behavior;
- problems experienced by and methods of supervising people with developmental disabilities;
- CPR and first aid;
- Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques;
- patient's rights;
- serious emotional disturbances; and,
- basic methods of instruction.
Ability to:
- interpret and follow established policies, procedures, operations memoranda, and guidelines;
- communicate and correspond with outside agencies;
- be flexible with scheduling that involves occasional weekends, holidays, periodic travel, and possible overnights stays;
- complete and review required documentation effectively and accurately;
- deal effectively with people from diverse ethnic and sociological backgrounds;
- role model positive behavior and integrity to support the development of appropriate social skills for the clients;
- complete evaluations, develop support plans, in-service/train staff, and enter data to teach/support client development;
- accurately recall and effectively communicate information upon request in person and in writing;
- maintain safety and security for everyone at the Developmental Center;
- schedule, plan, and lead group and individual activities with adolescent and adult clients;
- provide individual and/or group crisis and de-escalation discussions;
- direct adolescent and adult clients in scheduled tasks in all areas of daily living;
- provide direct personal care to clients as needed;
- effectively diffuse potentially explosive situations and/or confrontations involving adolescent and/or adult clients;
- manage time and effectively plan and organize work responsibilities to meet requested timelines;
- actively participate with team members in the development of support and training plans for adolescent and adult clients;
- maintain records, prepare reports, and relay information regarding client concerns, behaviors, and needs;
- complete required training, attend area and agency meetings/assemblies, and actively participate in client meetings; and,
- observe, listen, and be empathetic to client behavior challenges to help them formulate acceptable response methods.
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. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug 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 $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=1O7
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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