What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist position at The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law?
Posting Details
Posting Details
Logo 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 highly organized 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 strong communication to facilitate timely placements, while maintaining detailed documentation and ensuring compliance 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:
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.
Apply today and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across South Dakota.
Posting Date 07/09/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes First Consideration Date 07/23/2026 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 is committed to advancing a future where 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 serves communities statewide through collaboration with state agencies, community‑based organizations, 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 shared 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 be complex and emotionally demanding, it is firmly anchored in hope, resilience, and the belief that prevention is possible. We value flexibility, open communication, reflective practice, and adaptive problem‑solving. CPCM team members work together to navigate challenges thoughtfully and compassionately, always centered on improving outcomes for children, families, and the professionals who serve them.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming 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 is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.
Contact 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 to communicate effectively in person and on the phone, and read, review and complete 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.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
Posting Details
Logo 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 highly organized 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 strong communication to facilitate timely placements, while maintaining detailed documentation and ensuring compliance 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, ongoing communication 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 OLA compliance requirements.
- Undergraduate degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, or other human service-related fields
- 1-3 years of related experience
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Experience with social services, family support systems, and office processes and databases
- Sustained mental focus, rapid response, and excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent in-person, virtual, and written communication 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 a commitment to timely, accurate data management.
- Flexibility to adjust quickly to shifting tasks and priorities.
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.
Apply today and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across South Dakota.
Posting Date 07/09/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes First Consideration Date 07/23/2026 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 is committed to advancing a future where 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 serves communities statewide through collaboration with state agencies, community‑based organizations, 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 shared 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 be complex and emotionally demanding, it is firmly anchored in hope, resilience, and the belief that prevention is possible. We value flexibility, open communication, reflective practice, and adaptive problem‑solving. CPCM team members work together to navigate challenges thoughtfully and compassionately, always centered on improving outcomes for children, families, and the professionals who serve them.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming 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 is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.
Contact 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 to communicate effectively in person and on the phone, and read, review and complete 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.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Other
- Reference List
Salary : $24 - $26