Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist | Posting Details

Posting Details Institution The University of South Dakota

Working Title Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist

Posting Number

CSA02718P

Department USD-Ctr Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Physical Location of Position (City) Rapid City

Posting Text The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) at the University of South Dakota is seeking a highlyanized and mission-driven Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist to help children in need find safe, supportive foster care homes. In this full-time role, you will work closely with the Department of Social Services and a distributed CPCM team to facilitate placement requests and match children with foster families who meet their needs. You'll use your problem-solving skills, quick judgment, and strongmunication to facilitate timely placements, while maintaining detailed documentation and ensuringpliance with all state requirements. This position is perfect for someone who thrives in fast-paced work environments and finds meaning in supporting vulnerable children and families. You will also help recruit, license, and retain foster care families in South Dakota. As a Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist you will:

Coordinate timely and effective foster care placements, ensuring that each child is matched with a home that considers sibling bonds, cultural context, proximity, and special needs.

Maintain clear, ongoingmunication and strong collaborative relationships with DSS Child Protective Services, DSS Office of Licensing & Accreditation, foster families, and fellow CPCM team members.

Assist with recruitment, support, licensure, and retention of foster and potential adoptive families.

Accurately track, document, and report licensure and placement-related data, meeting DSS and OLApliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, or other human service-related fields
• 1-3 years of related experience
• Stronganizational,munication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with social services, family support systems, and office processes and databases This role requires:
• Sustained mental focus, rapid response, and excellentanizational skills.
• Excellent in-person, virtual, and writtenmunication skills
• Ability to travel frequently in-state and work some evening and weekend hours
• Ability to work in both an office setting and in a variety of home settings
• Empathy, adaptability, and amitment to timely, accurate data management.

Flexibility to adjust quickly to shifting tasks and priorities. Join CPCM's collaborative, purpose-driven team and help ensure every child is matched with a home w they can be safe, supported, and thriving. CPCM fosters a work culture grounded in collaboration, continuous learning and improvement, andmunity impact. Hybrid work options are available. This position offers state health insurance and benefits, which includes a retirement plan with 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and 11 paid holidays. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position. and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across South Dakota. Posting Date 09/22/2026

Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes

First Consideration Date 10/12/2026

Advertised Salary $23.56 to $26.00 depending upon qualifications and experience.

Duration of the Term 12 months

If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100

Work Hours 40 hrs/wk; some irregular hours required Typical Hours Worked Per Week Appointment Type Regular

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search This position requires Travel, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License, Other

If other, please indicate Some evening hours

Department Description and Cultural Expectations The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) at the University of South Dakota ismitted to advancing a future w all children and families are safe, supported, and able to thrive. Guided by a prevention‑first approach, CPCM works to strengthen systems, grow workforce capacity, and partner across sectors to reduce the risk and impact of child maltreatment throughout South Dakota. Housed within the University of South Dakota's School of Health Sciences, CPCM servesmunities statewide through collaboration with state agencies,munity‑basedanizations, educators, and families. Our work bridges research, policy, practice, and education to support sustainable, systems‑level change that promotes child and family well‑being. CPCM fosters a work culture rooted in collaboration, learning, and d purpose. Team members are encouraged to bring both creativity and accountability to their roles, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and transparency. While the work of preventing and responding to child maltreatment can beplex and emotionally demanding, it is firmly anchored in hope, resilience, and the belief that prevention is possible. We value flexibility, openmunication, reflective practice, and adaptive problem‑solving. CPCM team members work together to navigate challenges thoughtfully andpassionately, always centered on improving oues for children, families, and the professionals who serve them. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement USD ismitted to fostering a dynamic and weing working and learning environment for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives; or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. USD ismitted to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse. Information Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-fast, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify Physical Requirements Please designate the physical requirements of this position Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Stairs, Crouching, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting light, Reaching, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Squatting, Standing for sustained periods of time, Walking

Describe any of the conditions selected Physical requirements for this position include the physical abilities needed to safely and effectively perform the job's essential duties. The position requires the ability to travel/drive and conduct onsite home visits and inspections in a variety of environments. The individual in this role will need tomunicate effectively in person and on the phone, and read, review andplete written documentation and case notes.

Sensory Requirements Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above Working Environment Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below)

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided. A variety of home environments will be encountered during this position.