Position Overview

The Director of Child Welfare Workforce Initiatives will lead CWLA’s new National Workforce Initiative. This grant funded position will support planning activities to analyze workforce needs, review related workforce literature, and identify best practices and promising strategies to strengthen the public and non-profit child welfare workforce through recruitment, retention, training, and capacity-building initiatives. This exciting position will be responsible to identify and implement near term opportunities and developing long-term strategies that ensure child welfare professionals have the resources, skills, and support needed to provide high-quality services to children, youth, parents, and families.

This grant-funded temporary position reports to the Vice President for Practice Excellence, and works with CWLA member agencies, and other members of the CWLA leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Workforce Development:

· Convene a National Workforce Advisory Committee comprised of CWLA member agencies, national organizations, academic institutions, and persons with lived experiences with delivering and accessing child welfare services.

· Assess and analyze workforce needs and gaps among public and not-for-profit child serving agencies

· Prepare a workforce report to the field describing key characteristics of the child welfare workforce including key metrics such as salary, education, tenure, and workload.

· Design strategic plans to address workforce challenges, including recruitment, retention, and professional development.

· Specifically, identify approaches to strengthening the fields capacity to recruit and retain staff who represent and are skilled in meeting the needs of diverse communities served by child welfare organizations.

Collaboration and Communication:

· Partner with CWLA member agencies, national organization, and academic institutions to identify and align workforce initiatives.

· Collaborate with CWLA Director of Public Policy and other key team members to develop legislative and related policy recommendations.

· Collaborate with CWLA’s Directors of training, membership, and diversity and inclusion to support the development of workforce strategies.

· Act as a liaison between management and member agencies to ensure open communication and address workforce concerns.

· Serve as liaison between CWLA and funder(s) on grant related matters.

· Prepare reports, presentations, and updates on workforce initiatives for internal and external audiences.

Capacity Building:

· Identify and promote evidence-based recruitment, onboarding, and retention practices to enhance service delivery.

· Facilitate advisory committees, listening sessions, workshops, webinars, and continuing education opportunities tailored to child welfare professionals.

· Design and implement targeted nationalrecruitment campaigns to attract qualified candidates.

· Identify and advance effective retention strategies, including mentoring programs, peer support initiatives, and employee wellness programs.

· Identify administrative and supervisory practices that promote worker efficacy and retention.

Policy and Advocacy:

· Stay informed about federal, state, and local policies impacting the child welfare workforce.

· Analyze workforce data and trends to inform decision-making and policy recommendations.

· Advocate for funding and policies that support workforce sustainability and development.

Collaboration and Communication:

· Partner with member agencies, national organization, and academic institutions to align workforce initiatives.

· Act as a liaison between management and field staff to ensure open communication and address workforce concerns.

· Prepare reports, presentations, and updates on workforce initiatives for internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

Education:

· Master’s Degree in Social Work, Human Resources, Public Administration, or a related field required.

Experience:

· Seven years of experience in child welfare, human services, workforce development, or a related field with at least 3-5 years in leadership roles in program oversight, design, development, implementation, and consultation.

· Experience with work force development, child welfare capacity building, program and professional development, or policy analysis is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

· Strong understanding of child welfare service delivery, including its challenges and workforce needs.

· Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.

· Ability to analyze data and use insights to inform strategies.

· Problem-solving and change-management skills.

· Exceptional written and oral communication and collaboration skills.

· Proficiency in MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint/Canva.

Key Attributes

· Passion for improving child welfare outcomes.

· Innovative and solution-oriented mindset.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

· Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $45,000.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 20 per week

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20005

Child Welfare League of America

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