Program Assistant I

South Dakota Board of Regents; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits available

6% retirement matching

Paid holidays and vacation leave

Reduced tuition for state-supported (S

Job summary

South Dakota State University is seeking a customer-focused professional to support the Custodial Services department. Based in Brookings, SD, you will coordinate hiring, onboarding, and daily operations while building strong partnerships with campus customers.

The role emphasizes exceptional service, clear communication, and organizational excellence. A valid driver’s license is required, and sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• High-level customer service and administrative support experience.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Experience coordinating hiring and onboarding with Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Provides high-level customer service, administrative, and operational support for the Custodial Services department.
• Serves as a central point of contact for campus customers, ensuring service requests and concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
• Partners with Custodial Services leadership to coordinate departmental priorities, support daily operations, and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Oversees equipment coordination, assists with departmental planning, and supports recruitment and onboarding efforts by partnering with Human Resources and hiring staff throughout the hiring process.

Skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Organize and manage multiple pri or it

Lead, train, and support employees

Evaluate problems and decisions

Use computer systems and reports

Work independently and collaborate

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Work order management systems

Job description

Location

Brookings, South Dakota

About the Position

South Dakota State University Facilities & Services is in search of a customer-focused and highly organized professional to serve as a key resource for the Custodial Services department. In this collaborative role, you will build strong campus partnerships, coordinate hiring and onboarding efforts, support daily operations, and help ensure exceptional service across the university. If you enjoy connecting with people, solving problems, and making a meaningful impact on both employees and customers, we invite you to join our team. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota .

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities

Provides high-level customer service, administrative, and operational support for the SDSU Facilities & Services Custodial Services department. Serves as a central point of contact for campus customers, ensuring service requests and concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. Partners closely with Custodial Services leadership to coordinate departmental priorities, support daily operations, and maintain strong customer relationships. This position also oversees equipment coordination, assists with departmental planning, and supports recruitment and onboarding efforts by partnering with Human Resources and hiring staff throughout the hiring process. Success in this role requires exceptional communication, organization, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to customer service and employee support.

Benefits

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Work order management systems

Skill & Ability to:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Work effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and University leadership
• Organize and manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines
• Lead, train, and support employees while addressing performance and operational issues
• Evaluate problems, make sound decisions, and develop practical solutions
• Use computer systems, databases, and business software to track information and generate reports
• Work independently, collaborate with others, and adapt to changing operational needs

Required License:

Valid driver’s license

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land‑grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements: Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment: Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. Ear Protection (including earplugs), Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Other, Protective Clothing, Surgical Mask. If other protection is used please identify. Scrub shoes, ice cleats and knee pads.

Physical Requirements: Please designate the physical requirements of this position Balancing, Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Stairs, Crawling, Crouching, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting light, Lifting moderate, Lifting heavy, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Squatting, Standing for sustained periods of time, Stretching, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating).

Sensory Requirements: Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position Depth Perception, 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 Atmospheric Contaminants (includes odors & fumes), Changes of Temperature, Chemical Hazards, Exposure or Potential Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids, Exposure to Dust, Exposure to Infectious Diseases, Exposure to Noise, Extreme Cold, Extreme Heat >100F, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Vaccination recommended due to potential occupational exposure, Vibrations, Walking/Standing on rough or uneven surfaces (gravel, rocks, etc), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Work Overhead, Working Around Machinery, Working from scaffolding and high places.

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Animal Facility, Animal Research Farm, Athletic/Wellness Facilities, Classroom Environment, Clinical Environment, Greenhouse Environment, Lab Environment, Mechanical Facility, Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below), Outdoors Environment.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take affirmative action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and affirmative action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455