South Dakota Harbor Families Specialist

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Status: Full-time or Part-Time

Position Summary: Serves as primary contact for families in crisis requesting a Harbor Families child hosting arrangement and works within referral and intake procedures while considering program fit and capacity. May also counsel families concerning additional and alternative resources available within the community. At regular intervals, assesses volunteer Harbor Families host family applicants who desire to serve as Harbor Family host families via in-person home visits and written assessments.

Also serves as primary contact to arrange all aspects related to child hostings. Collaborates with all members of the Harbor Families local, state and program teams.

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers, clients and ministry partners
• Actively participates on the team in a manner aligned with scripture including, but not limited to, praying for and with other team members, sharing scripture in daily activities and leadership, modeling the character of Jesus Christ in interactions with team and any external clients, partners, vendors, etc.
• Disciples’ ministry partners and clients.
• Aligns team dynamics, internal & external processes, and final product of team’s work with Biblical principles and with Lifeline’s Core Values
• Assists the agency to recruit, enroll, maintain, and work with prospective Harbor Families host families in processing a placement
• Adheres to excellent social service standards and practice in compliance with Lifeline’s Core Values and Ministry Goals through consistent support, training and development

• Receiving initial referral information
• Conducting thorough intake assessments and interviews, including but not limited to the client (referring family) situation and need for a temporary child hosting arrangement via Harbor Families
• Maintaining regular contact with clients throughout the referral and intake process
• Assisting the client in obtaining resources, if applicable, within the community
• Supporting families in collaboration with all members of the Harbor Families team before, during and post-hosting arrangements, including volunteer coordination, church communication as applicable, visitation arrangements and inter‑agency collaboration.
• Building and maintaining relationships with referral sources.
• Providing to all the means for spiritual growth, including sharing the Gospel, discipleship, and continued spiritual encouragement in a non-threatening way.

• Managing applications, approvals and onboarding for all new program volunteers (background checks, references, training, etc.)
• Arranging and leading Volunteer Appreciation (events, communications, support groups, etc.)
• Conducting home studies/assessments for Harbor Families host families, in accordance with state and program requirements and expectations.
• Arranging all aspects and logistics related to child hostings/placements in collaboration with local staff and volunteer teams.
• Assuring all paperwork and documentation is up to date and accurate within the database system
• Arranging for informational meetings with the goals of volunteer recruitment and church partnerships, in collaboration with State leadership and the church partnership teams.
• Assisting the appropriate program directors, supervisors, managers and coordinators with various tasks assigned regarding any of the above described tasks.
• Assisting in agency-related events, including the annual staff retreat, the annual banquet and volunteer appreciation events.
• Maintaining good relationships with co-workers, including solving all disputes in a Biblically prescribed fashion.
• Representing the Agency in a professional manner in and away from the office.
• Maintaining social work license, where applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s in social work (preferred) or a related human services field (whichever is required by state)
• Must be able to lift 25lbs, must have reliable transportation

• Professional office environment unless allowed under Remote Worker Policy.

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Updated 12/10/25