Foster Care Licensing and Placement Specialist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Carefully 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.
• Aid in 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.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in social work, education, or a related field.
• 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 is preferred.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• State health insurance and benefits, including 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.

Pay

$23.56 to $26.00 depending upon qualifications and experience.

Schedule

40 hrs/wk; some irregular hours required.