Director, Center of Excellence for Social Work

Position Details

Position Information

Position
Director, Center of Excellence for Social Work

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Job Type
Term Appointment

Position Summary

The mission of the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work ( FVSSW ) is to educate students to practice social work competently with the diverse, multicultural populations of New Mexico and the Southwest. This context of cultural and regional responsiveness informs the School’s creation and implementation of all its educational programs. The School has a primary commitment to Hispanic and Native American people. Its curriculum grounds students in core professional social work values, skills and ethical principles, and provides a focused awareness and respect for cultural differences and how poverty affects the well-being of people in the region.

In keeping with this mission, the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work is establishing a Center for Excellence in Social Work with support from state and federal government. It is the purpose of this Center to provide leadership in preparing social work students and practitioners to effectively respond to emerging issues and crises in our communities, such as those in public health, child welfare, community safety, and social and environmental justice. This will be achieved through research, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration, and by creating training opportunities for New Mexico’s professional social work workforce.

New Mexico Highlands University is accepting applications for the position of Director of the Center for Excellence for Social Work. The director is responsible for the strategic long-term planning for and development of the Center and its programs, as well as the daily oversight and management of its activities. The Director will additionally be responsible for staffing the Center, and for identifying internal and external stakeholders, including other institutions of higher education, and other constituents who can contribute to the Center’s success. The Center will serve as a model in the state for social work educational institutions and will focus on mental and behavioral health, social policy, research, and social justice to improve individual and community outcomes for the State of New Mexico, while addressing emerging needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the development and long-range planning of the Center, within the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work.
• Manages its daily operations
• Collaborates with mental health agencies, social work programs, and other entities to establish programing to meet the goals of the Center
• Facilitates the creation of an Advisory Board for the Center which will provide support, expertise, and assist in shaping the overall direction of the Center
• Supervises all staff of the Center, to include a project coordinator, administrative staff, and student workers
• Provides oversight and works closely with the School of Social Work faculty in the development of professional development opportunities and specialized training for current professional social workers and for faculty at NMHU and other institutions
• Creates leadership and learning opportunities for students of the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work
• Explores and facilitates the use of online technologies to further the Center’s programs and initiatives
• Supports research in the field of social work, as well as professional development, to improve the knowledge and skills of social work practitioners statewide, and their readiness to respond to emerging crises
• Works jointly with New Mexico’s Children, Youth, and Families Department and other relevant agencies/organizations to conduct research and provide training that supports strengthened family systems and addresses vulnerable populations, such as youth aging out of foster care and families with housing instability
• Disseminates regular reports to collaborators and stakeholders, within and outside of the university, on the activities of the Center and related outcomes
• Advocates for the work of the Center with the New Mexico Legislature and national organizations and agencies
• Participates in national and state professional and interdisciplinary organizations and taskforces to assure the inclusion of social work initiatives related to research and program planning
• Explores local, state, and federal funding opportunities to support and develop the Center’s programs, mission and goals
• Explores the feasibility of expanding the Center’s programs nationwide (dependent on additional funding)
• Fiscal management of the Center
• Grant writing to support funding of the Center
• Presents on Center research and activities regionally and nationally

Minimum Job Requirements

• MSW from a CSWE -accredited program
• Five years administrative experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (doctorate in social work or a related field)
• Direct experience coordinating and developing projects and activities, including research.
• Two or more years of experience in faculty professional development programs.
• Two or more years of experience in social work education and/or social work research.
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff.
• Budgetary and administrative experience.

Special Conditions for Eligibility

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill and expertise in working with diverse populations and constituents
• Ability in the use of technologies and/or strategies to enhance pedagogy.
• Excellent communication skills (written, oral, presentation).
• Strong team building skills.

Physical Demands

Working Environment

• Work is performed in an office/classroom setting.
• Some travel will be expected.

Pay Rate

Work Location/Campus Center
Albuquerque/SW Campus

EEO Statement

New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.

For disabled access or services call 505-454-3242 or email hr@nmhu.edu

Visit the link below for more information regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity:
Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
AS705P

Open Date
05/15/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicant

Candidates must apply through PeopleAdmin and submit the following: 1) a letter of application describing skills and experiences most relevant to the position, 2) curriculum vita, and 3) contact information for four references, 4) unofficial transcripts for advanced degrees

Quick Link
https://nmhu.peopleadmin.com/postings/8212
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/ Letter of Interest
2. Unofficial Transcripts Conferring Required Degree
3. Letter(s) of Recommendation
4. Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents