Join a Mission-Driven Team
"Are you passionate about promoting safety, stability, and connection for children and youth in South Dakota?"
If so, this position might be a great fit for you! #YouareLSS
You Belong at Lutheran Social Services
We believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and nurturing family. Our priority is to support and empower families, ensuring children have a place where they can heal, grow, and reach their full potential.
Our values form the foundation of who we are and how we operate. At LSS, we prioritize a whole-person, family-centered approach to care within a continuum of services.
?? $600 Sign-On Bonus Available!
To apply for this position please apply at Current Openings | Recruitment
HOURS: Onsite, 40hours, Monday- Friday; 8:00am - 5:00pm w/occasional evenings and weekends.
SALARY: $21.00 to $24.00 per hour; dependent on experience and qualifications.
LOCATION: Rapid City, SD
BENEFITS: LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
- $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
- PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
- 8 Paid Holidays
- 401(k) 3% match
- Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options, 2025 plans including a comprehensive $1 monthly premium for a $5,000 coinsurance plan (full-time, single coverage)
- Dental and Vision plans with HSA & FSA options
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Placement Support Specialist provides support and guidance to families licensed as foster or kinship families by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The Specialist works directly with families who are providing care to youth in their home or are waiting to provide care. They will manage required paperwork throughout the licensure renewal process, complete background checks as needed, connect families to training, assist with placement matching and support, and complete the family renewal home study. The Specialist will be the point of contact that offers ongoing support for families through their licensed time with DSS. Their primary goal is to support foster and kinship families to ensure safe, stable placements for children in the custody of DSS. The Placement Coordinator plays a critical role in carrying out the LSS mission.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or similar field, plus one to two years of related experience in a human services field, is required.
- Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Social Worker Associate through the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Willingness to submit to record checks to detect criminal convictions of behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, distributing drugs or sex crimes.
- Requires a valid auto-insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one with approved driver status.
LSS Expectations & Core Values
At LSS, we are committed to upholding the following values in all aspects of our work:
Compassionate – We engage with empathy and provide non-judgmental services.
Appreciative – We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
Respectful – We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
Ethical – We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
Strategic – We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.
LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.