Outreach Specialist

Position Overview
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), in the School of Social Work (SSW) is seeking an outreach specialist with content expertise in child welfare practice and policy. The Outreach Team in CASCW develops, distributes, and evaluates training products to promote professional development opportunities for child welfare professionals. Reporting to the Director of Outreach, the outreach specialist collaborates across CASCW teams, within the SSW and College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and partners with other outreach team members including communication specialists, graphic designers, and the outreach coordinator. This role supports CASCW's overall program development and outreach efforts and is responsible for project management and implementation including financial objectives. The Outreach Specialist is also an external facing staff member who regularly interacts with other professionals and community members.

This is a 100%, 12-month, annually renewable appointment in the academic and administrative classification. A hybrid work schedule is required for all CASCW staff.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities
Workforce Development and Training (65%)

• Identify training and resource gaps in the child welfare workforce.
• Provide child welfare content expertise and consultation to create CASCW-sponsored training and professional development opportunities.
• Guide development and implementation of resources to meet workforce needs.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to design, develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable education and outreach projects.
• Conceptualize topics and content for CASCW-sponsored professional development opportunities/events
• Provide logistical and technical preparation for CASCW events.
• Collaborate with the outreach team (communications, graphics, and web).
• Provide technical and content expertise in the creation of training products (online modules, videos, podcasts, case studies, training guides, presentations, etc.)
• Provide project management knowledge to facilitate projects.
• Contribute to the development of CW360, CASCW's flagship publication.
  

Outreach (30%)

• Identify opportunities for training product dissemination.
• Market training products including advertisement.
• Collaborate with partners at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA), part of the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW), to circulate training products to the workforce.
• Foster relationships with Minnesota counties, tribes, community organizations, policymakers, child welfare professionals and lived-experience experts to strengthen workforce training opportunities.
• Work with the Director of Outreach to engage external stakeholders in child welfare.
• Strategically design, develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable education and outreach projects.
  

Other (5%)

• Attend staff and team meetings
• Attend continuing education on workforce development.
• Regularly review goals and progress with the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field with at least 4 years of experience or a BA/BS with at least 6 years of relevant post-degree experience
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multiple stakeholder groups within a dynamic organization.
• Demonstrated experience of working effectively across diverse populations.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft office and Google suites
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including editing
• Experienced at event planning from start to finish.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to use sound judgment, take initiative, work independently, and consult as needed.
• A high level of organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to balance and manage a large number of projects and details.
• Public or tribal child welfare experience.
• Applicable knowledge of software, digital technology, and social media communications.

Institute Overview
The Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) is a new organizing structure housing several dynamic research and training entities, including The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). Each entity is grant-funded and self-sustaining. During an early phase of strategic planning for CASCW in 2024, the creation of the MICW emerged as an essential task to continue to support the growth and productivity of these entities while also continuing the mission of the School of Social Work and the College of Education and Human Development as it pertains to continued community service, growth, and innovation.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is a research and training center located within the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. CASCW supports the education and training of public child welfare professionals; identifies, and examines, effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into the School of Social Work curriculum.

Minn-LInK, an incredibly rich resource within the University and across the state of Minnesota, is an interdisciplinary, integrated, administrative data project used for research and evaluation projects aimed at understanding the experiences and outcomes of children, youth, and families who are multi-system involved. Minn-LInK staff provide research services to internal and external partners through grants and agreements.

The MNCWTA is a partnership between the University's MICW and the MN Department of Child Youth and Family (DCYF). The MNCWTA is responsible for the training and professional development of Minnesota's county and tribal child welfare frontline staff and supervisors. The mission is to train, develop, and support the skills, expertise, and well-being of Minnesota's child welfare workforce while nurturing a commitment to equitable child welfare practice.

Department Overview
Founded in 1917 on its Dakota homeland, the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is part of a public, research-intensive university and one of seven administrative units in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The School offers several graduate and undergraduate educational programs including: a PhD in Social Work; a Master of Social Work; a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership; a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention, Social Justice, and Youth Studies. Underlying all these multidisciplinary programs is a social justice value base and a commitment to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our society. The curricula of our educational programs, and faculty research and engagement, intentionally seek to emphasize and expand anti-racist perspectives, social, economic and racial justice, and decolonization. The School is the home to a variety of labs and centers that actively involve our students, staff, faculty, and community partners, e.g., the Youth Work Learning Lab, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the Center for Practice Transformation, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, an innovative partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services that is funded by the state legislature to further develop equitable child welfare practices.

College Overview
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).