Vehicles (Rapid City, Custer: home, job openings, transfer) - City-Data Forum

yamahastar · 10-08-2007, 06:01 AM

What type of vehicle is a good all around one for the Rapid City, South Dakota weather. I have a Ford Freestyle which is front wheel drive. I have a Dodge Dakota rear wheel drive truck. Will either one of these work in winter? Thanks.

ElkHunter · 10-08-2007, 06:54 AM

Both of those vehicles will do fine about 99% of the time. The other 1%, no vehicle is good. haha

Something you might want to do is throw a couple of sand bags in the back of the dodge to give it some weight. Just one good sized sand bag over top of each fender well and you'll really tell a difference in snow.

BusySocialWorker · 10-08-2007, 08:37 AM

yep both should do just fine for the most part - and hey if you have to take a snow day - oh well

yamahastar · 10-08-2007, 08:46 AM

I assume snow days are frequent in the winter? I have another question for you. In about one and one-half years we will retire to Rapid City. My wife thinks I should teach, but I remember from years ago I did not like staying in a classroom. I would prefer to work in child abuse and neglect investigations. I have over 20 years in this field. Who would be good to email to start gathering information? My wife is an MSW and working on her license. Could you steer us in an appropriate direction? Thanks.

ElkHunter · 10-08-2007, 09:17 AM

Can't answer the rest of that for you, but snow days are "One or Two" for the whole winter.

DannyBanany · 10-08-2007, 09:35 AM

Snow Days are actually uncommon in the winter. Usually the snow melts within a day or two and it's back to business as usual. Blizzards happen mostly during the spring, so that is when Snow Days are most common. Even then, plows are out working in advance and chemicals are put on all of the roads to prevent freeze.

Snow Days are very rare.

BusySocialWorker · 10-08-2007, 03:13 PM

There are several routes for working in the child abuse field - I do consultant work for Children's home society (you can google them) doing home studies for adoption and kin placement - there are also several other private agencies (Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Social Services). Actually I just see several of these are looking for MSW's now - also currently the hospital where I work full time is looking for an MSW level social worker for the neo-natal / peds department which may be of interest

Other options include the state working for the department of social services (which I did for about 6 years and honestly don't miss much

) You can go to the state homepage and search current state job openings there. [url=http://dhs.sd.gov/]Department of Human Services[/url. Also included in the state jobs are the department of juvinile corrects - including the STAR accademy in Custer - Not really where I would want to be but if you could get in to a strictly social worker / therapist role rather then case management or direct care it might not be bad... There are also several youth drug and alcohol treatment programs around town along with standard community mental health services.

You can also contact the board of social work examiners regarding transfer of licensure etc so you know what to expect.. I transfered mine from Colorado and it took alittle time and paperwork, but not a big deal! This page will also list the licensure levels - for example I have the CSW-PIP meaning I can also do private practice

Department of Human Services and Licensing Boards (http://dhs.sd.gov/brd/SocialWorker/default.aspx - broken link)

Last year I didn't take a snow day all year (I live about 13 miles out of town) so they are few and far between.. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't hoping for one or two this year - although not in February when our baby is due..eeek

Jammie · 10-08-2007, 06:45 PM

OMG Busy, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Please keep us informed and let us know if it's a boy or girl, if it has hair or not, etc. Babies are cool!!!

BusySocialWorker · 10-09-2007, 11:27 AM

Thanks Jammie - Ultrasound says BOY so its a great match with out 2 year old daughter

traveler73 · 10-31-2007, 03:25 AM

If you were to live in the upper elevations above 6000 ft, you would want a 4 wheel drive.

However Rapid City winter weather is like Denver's. It could snow in the morning and by afternoon it's gone. Snow does not stay on the ground all winter long in Rapid. You would be fine with those cars.