Nature and Scope of Position:

·         This position reports directly to the Sr. Director, Indian Child Welfare Programs – Child & Family Services.

·         This full time regular, exempt position requires travel up to 40% of the time.

·         This position will work both independently and as part of the Indian Child Welfare team, to support tribal and urban Indian child welfare program planning, implementation and resource identification.

·         This position will collaborate with other work units at Casey as well as a broad base of stakeholders including national organizations, policymakers, and partners in child welfare.

·         Assist and support in the building of policy partnerships and coalitions which will impact Casey’s long term goals, in the areas of reduction, reinvestment, education, mental health and employment.

·         Demonstrates ability to work with individuals at various levels of authority and technical expertise, internal and external to Casey Family Programs.

·         Serves on select non-profit boards of directors of national and local organizations to promote the ICW interests of Casey Family Programs – Indian Child Welfare Programs and to develop/service collaborative relationships with those organizations.

·         Physical requirements include travel. 

·         Driving on Casey business requires adherence to the Vehicle Safety Guidelines.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     Supports tribal and urban Indian child welfare program planning, implementation and resource identification; Identify and analyze current and emerging state and local policy issues and trends affecting Indian youth and families in or potentially entering the child welfare system in collaboration with Casey as well as a broad base of stakeholders within national organizations, judiciary, and partners in Indian Child Welfare, and develop appropriate policy and programmatic responses.

2.     Provide technical assistance to Casey and tribal as well as Native urban collaborators in Indian Child Welfare program design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 

3.     Act as a proactive two-way communication liaison between ICWP, Child & Family Services and external partners.  Provide consultation, technical assistance and recommendations to Sr. Director Indian Child Welfare staff, field offices and other state/county tribal systems improvement partners in developing and implementing strategic partnerships.

4.     Identify and access federal, state and private resources to support culturally appropriate services for Native children and families both on and off the reservation

5.     Assists in continuous quality improvement within the ICWP.

6.     Contribute in ICWP project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

7.     Support and assist in the coordination, development, and implementation of Transformation and other ICWP project plans, including technical assistance, support, and evaluation.

8.     Coordinate work with other team members or work groups that may influence work product and outcomes.  Communicate effectively with others.

9.     Manage as necessary the development of working relationships with tribal, state, county and government representatives.

10.  Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.  Understands and adheres to code of ethics and practice for policy, research, and child welfare administration.  Understands and adheres to Casey’s limits regarding lobbying. 

11.  Ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.  Ensures products and work are reflective of appropriate cultural language, application, process, etc.

12.  Act as a good steward of Casey resources – in expenses/funding, but also in labor hours in applying appropriate amounts of resources to each project.  Looks for ways to maximize effective communications with cost and effort leveraged.

13.  Ensure adherence to Casey policies in all matters of practice, contracts, communications, resources, personnel and reporting.

14.  Work on projects, acts as committee member, and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in related field required, plus a minimum 5  years progressive experience in Indian child welfare and related public policy development and implementation preferably at both state and federal level.  Prior experience in advocacy, social services, management, program development and evaluation, and/or clinical program leadership.  Extensive knowledge of American Indian, Alaska Native cultures, including social service issues related to both political and economic attributes of reservation, rural, and urban life.  Prior experience consulting on policy, working with judiciary and legislature, managing partnerships and community relations are highly desirable.  Knowledge of public child welfare policy and state and local governments is essential.

Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills are required, along with excellent negotiating and listening skills.  A commitment to building personal and organizational sensitivity towards diverse cultural, socio-economic and lifestyle backgrounds is essential.   Experience in negotiating multiple priorities, monitoring and negotiating contracts, and ability to provide technical assistance with respect to policy is essential. 

Desirable qualities include leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a creative, self-starting approach.  The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with external colleagues and constituencies, senior management, and co-workers is essential. 

Technical Skills:  Experience with MS Office is essential.  Demonstrated ability to learn other pertinent software programs as required.  Demonstrated skills in publication and report writing for a variety of audiences including policy makers, practitioners and consumers is essential. 

Strong initiative and self starting approach, flexibility, the ability to deal effectively with rapid growth and change, and the ability to deal effectively with rapid growth and change, and the ability to organize and prioritize work quickly in response to changing needs. 

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of Casey staff members, managers, directors, field office personnel, consultants, outside professionals, and others is required. 

Must pass a criminal background check. 

Valuing diversity and championing anti-racism are core values at Casey.  Casey Family Programs is an EOE working towards a culturally diverse and competent work place.

Physical Requirements:

Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function.  Critical thinking and problem solving for complex issues required.