Outreach Prog Assoc Dir- Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS)

This position reports to the Director of the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) and works closely with them to fulfill the mission of the WCWPDS, providing leadership to assigned delivery units.

About the role

The Associate Director assists in developing, supervising, and delivering quality outreach programs with institutional recognition and scope. This role maintains strategic partnerships to support program growth and execution, promotes productive relationships between the university and community, and supervises and trains staff.

Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly with county agency administrators and other constituencies regarding professional development and program needs.
• Direct long-range and short-term planning in response to identified needs to further the growth of the outreach program.
• Develop organizational and operational policies and procedures; monitor performance to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Prepare and present reports to the WCWPDS Steering Committee on training activities and accomplishments.
• Serve as the representative of the WCWPDS Director in their absence for formal communication to various WCWPDS constituencies and as a liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Negotiate and execute contracts with subcontracted trainers and/or facilitators.
• Develop, monitor, and assure completion of work plan activities related to assigned delivery units.
• Participate in university, partnership, and statewide work teams and committees as appropriate.
• Participate in the development of the WCWPDS annual budget and ongoing fiscal oversight.
• Participate in the development of the WCWPDS annual report.
• Participate in management and staff meetings; facilitate staff meetings within the delivery unit.
• Ensure accurate certification of attendance at trainings and professional development opportunities for documentation and record-keeping.
• Manage human resources and personnel matters, including interfacing with the social work department and the College of Letters and Sciences.
• Work with the University purchasing department to facilitate timely procurement of services.
• Lead the collaborative development of the annual training or special initiative calendar to ensure adequate delivery of professional development resources across Wisconsin.
• Regularly assess the training and/or organizational needs of Wisconsin child welfare professionals.
• Participate in project development, curriculum development, and maintenance; collaborate on material preparation.
• Respond to requests for information, training, and assistance.
• Work with partners and trainers to develop learning objectives and outcomes for requested trainings and special initiatives.
• Monitor the development of project parameters, training sessions, and curricula to meet identified competencies and learning objectives, ensuring integration of adult learning techniques.
• Identify, acquire, and develop personnel and resources to ensure adequate WCWPDS staffing to meet professional development needs.
• Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked for at least 2.0 FTE employees.
• Provide direct supervision to Outreach Specialists, Outreach Program Coordinators, Outreach Program Managers, and other WCWPDS staff.
• Oversee delivery unit staff evaluation and development; collaborate on evaluation and continuous quality improvement strategies.
• Ensure staff compliance with contract requirements and have the necessary tools to provide services.
• Provide technical assistance, feedback, and evaluation to staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Human Ecology, or Education. Social work certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in public child welfare, including at least 3 years in leadership, administration, management, and staff supervision.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Wisconsin child welfare statutes, standards, best practices, safety assessment and intervention models, and familiarity with Federal Title IV-E child welfare training requirements.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing adult learning, workforce development, and staff training strategies, with strong knowledge of adult learning principles and effective group facilitation.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, contribute to budget development, and consistently produce high-quality work.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet-based applications.
• Ability to obtain or possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable transportation for required travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Wisconsin Child Welfare Services.
• Experience overseeing the development and delivery of resources for child welfare professionals in Wisconsin.
• Understanding of challenges faced by county human/social services agencies in providing child welfare services to Wisconsin families.
• Understanding of and/or experience with the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System and its mission and system structures.

Benefits

• Generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Competitive insurance and savings accounts.
• Retirement benefits.

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $100,000 to $135,000 annually for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

The Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) provides a comprehensive, statewide array of professional learning opportunities supporting a competent child welfare workforce and well-prepared caregivers. For more information, visit https://wcwpds.wisc.edu/.