Associate Director of Statewide Programs

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Alliance has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of State-wide Programs to join their team.

The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence (The Alliance) is a partnership between the UW School of Social Work; Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF); Eastern Washington University School of Social Work; UW Tacoma School of Social Work and Criminal Justice; and Partners for Our Children.

The Alliance works to increase the capacity of Washington’s social workers, partners and foster caregivers to support community wellness. We provide education and programs in a variety of modalities so that each adult learner can retain the skills needed to continue to succeed.

The mission of the Alliance is, “Through innovative and accessible training and supports, we empower those caring for and serving families and communities to provide anti-racist, culturally relevant, trauma-informed service.” Learn more at Rise with the Alliance . The Alliance’s work spans throughout Washington State and has team members throughout the state.  Because of this, many of our roles are hybrid and involve both remote and in-person work throughout Washington.

The Alliance works within the University of Washington School of Social Work (SSW).  At SSW, we commit ourselves to promoting social and economic justice for poor and oppressed populations and enhancing the quality of life for all. We strive to maximize human welfare through education, research, and public service. We embrace our position of leadership in the field of social work and join in partnership with others in society committed to solving human problems in the twenty-first century.

The UW and the School of Social Work promote diversity and inclusivity among our staff, faculty and students; we seek applicants for this position who are committed to these principles and whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage with audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

The Alliance has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of Statewide Programs. This position is primarily responsible for all aspects of the Alliance workforce development and caregiver training and support programs. This position will lead members of the Alliance workforce core and in-service, and caregiver training and support teams on identifying, generating, and disseminating evidence and trauma informed curriculum. The Associate Director of Statewide Programs will also lead the workforce and caregiver training and support teams in achieving outcome oriented, innovative group learning facilitation and individualized coaching to achieve maximum transfer of learning and skill acquisition. The Associate Director will also provide content expertise, create and leverage systems integration and strategic learning and engagement opportunities to realize the Alliance’s mission within the Partnership, and advance the development of workforce and caregiver training and education resources.

The Associate Director of Statewide Programs (ADSP) designs, develops, delivers, and maintains Alliance strategic goals and initiatives in support of the continued development of DCYF workforce and caregivers.  The ADSP is a subject matter expert in curriculum and training materials/resources for identified DCYF audiences. The ADSP is a champion of the Partnership and of curriculum and training resources that are based on knowledge, values and skills learning objectives.  Hybrid work is an option for this position and frequent, overnight travel within Washington will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities (95%):

• Is an integral part of the Alliance Leadership team and is responsible for decision making and implementing of practice and policies
• In collaboration with the Administrators and Managers, assess resources and provide cost allocation for new course requests and revision projects as submitted by DCYF
• Responsible for ensuring effective communication to the Executive Director and DCYF regarding all project status, including ensuring that the Alliance product (professional development curriculum, training, education and services to workforce and caregivers) progresses on schedule, within budget and reaching excellence in quality and innovation
• Support the Foundational and Continued Learning Administrators in working with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that learning objectives are being revised in courses upon policy changes and practice changes resulting from case law
• Uses content expertise and experience to shape the direction of the work of Alliance program teams and advance skill acquisition through the development and facilitation of innovative curriculum designed to meet learner needs, identify and support the creation of proactive curriculum and facilitation for adult learners, and lead the program teams on a variety of high profile initiatives, including DCYF initiatives, performance improvement efforts, legislative requirements, teaming projects, WAC changes and policy development
• Applies critical thinking, meaningful analysis, and creativity to close gaps, test assumptions and current approaches to workforce and caregiver development, address pressing challenges in DCYF programming, and share information and innovation in a variety of ways using various technologies and engagement strategies
• Uses sophisticated relationship management and customer service skills internally and externally to promote information-sharing and engagement, connect with collaborative partners, build positive will and interest in transformation, and generate productive action
• Provides vision, leadership and strategic direction to Alliance teams, staff, partners and stakeholders. Working with the Executive Director of the Alliance, the Associate Director is responsible for all Alliance programs including quality innovative curriculum development, resource allocation and support to contracted curriculum developers and learning facilitators, monitoring of APSR deliverables and annual plan goal achievement, and crisis and risk management.
• Supervise the Alliance Foundational Administrator, the Alliance Continued Learning Administrator, Professional Development Coaching Manager, CaRES Program Manager.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work or related field
• At least 5 years managing projects where communication and relationship is essential
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated understanding of working in a collaborative community environment, building relationships, and managing expectations within those relationships is required
• Ability to build relationships, provide assistance, be a resource, make presentations, work independently, take initiative, provide assessments and system evaluation
• Excellent leadership skills including training, group facilitation, and supervision are required
• Knowledge of child welfare workforce development techniques, adult learning theory and clinical social work within the state systems is required, along with experience in learning facilitation, systems integration, systems change and an in-depth understanding of DCYF and Tribal social work practice
• Experience implementing Licensed and Kinship Caregiver retention, training, coaching, education and support activities
• Experience in strategic planning, systems integration, systems change and an in-depth understanding of multi-state child welfare systems required
• Experience in successfully supporting the development and management of adult learning curriculum, group learning facilitation and coaching for barrier identification and skill development, experience with contracting procedures and general resource management is required
• Experience with oversight of multiple projects/initiatives from development to delivery
• Frequent overnight travel within Washington will be required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with DCYF program staff, headquarters and regional leadership
• Experience working with the Licensing Division, as well as Licensed and Kinship Caregivers
• Knowledge and experience of current state and jurisdiction administration, needs, and influential contacts is strongly preferred
• Developing and implementing cost allocation assessments for projects
• Understanding of Title IV-E funding and University based partnerships
• Experience and familiarity with public child welfare practice and policy in Washington State and Federal and State ICW (Indian Child Welfare).

Application Process: 

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law