About Job
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.
VCU's School of Social Work has an exciting opportunity for a Child Welfare Stipend Coordinator!
VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service, and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s generous benefits package that includes: competitive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), professional development & certifications, tuition waiver, parental leave, caregiving leave and community service leave. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here: https://hr.vcu.edu/careers-at-vcu/why-work-at-vcu/.
Summary:
Child Welfare Stipend Program Coordinator (12-month, University and Academic Professional position)
The School of Social Work is currently seeking a Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP) Coordinator. This full-time position is grant funded and reports directly to the Administrator for Community Engaged Child and Family Well-being Initiatives.
The coordinator is responsible for administering the CWSP at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work (SSW) and will serve as the primary liaison between VCU and the CWSP State Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Social Services. The Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP) is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
The program consists of child welfare specific coursework, specialized training and workshops, and field placements at both a child-serving agency and a local Department of Social Services for participants. Students who are selected to participate receive a $10,000 stipend per academic year and must commit to working at a local Department of Social Services in Virginia for one calendar year for each academic year they receive the stipend. For more details on the Child Welfare Stipend Program at VCU, visit https://socialwork.vcu.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/child-welfare-stipend-program/
Typical Duties
Position responsibilities will include;
- Oversee the CWSP recruitment and selection process.
- Partner with the Office of Field Education to develop and oversee CWSP eligible and appropriate field placements and experiences for CWSP students.
- Maintain regular contact with local departments of social services (LDSS) field instructors and liaisons.
- Conduct regular training seminars and workshops for CWSP students and LDSS field instructors.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and sustain an active and engaged CWSP regional advisory committee meetings.
- Coordinate with the Office of Student Success, the MSW and BSW program administrators and teams to ensure CWSP required courses are offered to meet student contractual agreements.
- Maintain close contact with CWSP State Coordinator, provides monthly program updates.
- Conduct follow-up evaluation of CWSP graduates and monitor the fulfillment of student's contractual commitments while in the program.
- Assist students with post-graduation transition to LDSS employment.
- Submit evaluative and outcome data to the State Coordinator quarterly.
- Participate in scheduled meetings (virtually and in-person), as needed and requested, with the CWSP State Coordinator, Principal Investigator, supervisor and other stakeholders.
- Teaching responsibilities will be determined annually based on CWSP needs.
- Serve on school, program and curriculum committees as appropriate and assigned.
- Maintain and develop the university's CWSP webpage in collaboration with appropriate team members.
- Partner with the team on other program deliverables such as the statewide program evaluation of the CWSP, development and/or delivery of a group reflective supervision/coaching for alumni, and provide external field instruction to CWSP students as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
To apply:
Candidates should electronically submit a curriculum vitae or resume; and a cover letter outlining their experiences that meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please direct questions and inquiries to Naomi Reddish (nrreddish@vcu.edu), Administrator for Community Engaged Child and Family Well-being Initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Public child welfare practice experience in In-home services, foster care and/or adoption in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Experience as an agency based Field Instructor.
- Experience teaching in Virginia higher education.
Minimum Qualifications:
Successful candidates must possess:
- An M.S.W. degree.
- Two (2) years of practice experience in child welfare.
- Experience in the development and implementation of activities associated with program planning and management.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team including the ability to engage and foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders,
- Proven ability to complete tasks without immediate supervision.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated strategic and critical thinking.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with clear attention to detail.
- Proficiency in computer applications, with working knowledge of various database and software programs (i.e., Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite).
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of staff, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Naomi Reddish
nrreddish@vcu.edu