Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator

Position Overview
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Coordinator teaches, guides, monitors, and supports students, Practicum Instructors (social workers practicing at host agencies who supervise MSW interns), and the MSW program in the practicum component of the MSW program. Practicum comprises the largest portion of the MSW education and is identified by our accrediting body as the "signature pedagogy" of social work education.

The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator has the unique position of working with both the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) and the School of Social Work's Practicum program. It is a collaborative position with a specialty in public/Tribal child welfare.

The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator, through enacting the essential functions listed below, guides child welfare students and Practicum Instructors through the practicum portion of their education and assures that students are gaining the competencies they require to enter practice as MSW-level social workers upon graduation. Additionally, the Practicum Coordinator works closely within the MSW program and with other practicum education coordinators to continually improve and enhance the practicum component of the MSW program. The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator coordinates 30-40 Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellows within public/Tribal child welfare-related practicum placements. The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator teaches up to four practicum seminars annually.

Beyond direct work with child welfare students in the classroom and with their community-based practicum agencies and staff, the Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator works closely with CASCW staff to deliver professional education experiences throughout the continuum of learning within the students' MSW program. This can include child welfare student recruitment, selection, orientation, experiential learning, specialized training and development opportunities, and postgraduate support.

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. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities
Teach Graduate level social work students (55%)

• Participate in the development of the curriculum for practicum.
• Teach up to three practice seminars per semester, with a community co-facilitator/community adjunct, in a program that operates Monday through Saturday, including evenings. Summer semester teaching as needed.
• Serve as the practicum liaison for child welfare students in foundation (generalist) and specialization practicum placements.
• Meet at minimum, twice annually with each student and Task Supervisor/Practicum Instructor for liaison visits.
• Provide conflict management and support to students and Practicum Instructors within placements.
• Maintain positive relationships with Practicum Instructors within the community.
• Work with students to arrange appropriate supervision in innovative and non-traditional settings.
• Utilize the School of Social Work's Intern Placement Tracking (IPT) and Canvas to monitor student progress and performance in all aspects of practicum, completing all evaluations and grade submissions, in consultation with students and Practicum Instructors.
• Advise graduate students. When assigned, provide both academic and professional development advising, and advice related to the intersection of personal and professional development to MSW students that often goes beyond the scope of most academic advising in the MSW program.

Participate and Support the Graduate Practicum Education Program (20%)

• Promote the integration of practicum instruction in the Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum.
• Support the development and maintenance of practicum program materials, including the MSW Practicum Manual, practicum database, Practicum Instructor training materials, and evaluation tools for students in practicums.
• Participate in the long-range planning for practicum education and training in the Master of Social Work program.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of practicum events, including symposia, workshops, lectures, the annual Practicum Instructor luncheon, and the annual Practicum Agency Information Day event.
• Collaborate with and attend meetings of the practicum team.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Practicum Education to implement the evaluation of practice behaviors that make up the core competencies taught in the MSW curriculum.
• Participate in the planning and delivery of the Practicum Instructor training modules annually.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Practicum Education to implement and coordinate the summer practicum students, student orientation, and communication with other School of Social Work staff.
• Recruit agencies and social work units to serve as training sites for Practicum.
• Recruit talented and committed practicum instructors and develop child welfare practicum placements, particularly with public and tribal agencies around the Twin Cities metropolitan area, as well as, greater Minnesota when needed.
• Recruit, train, and support community practicum seminar liaisons/Community Adjuncts.
• Serve as a member of the School of Social Work's Practicum Advisory Board.
• Represent the School's Practicum component in meetings with local academic institutions for matching, Practicum Agency Information Day, and training events.
  

Child Welfare program outreach and development (20%)

• Work collaboratively with the CASCW's Director of Professional Education to represent CASCW and SSW in building and maintaining strong connections with family-serving agencies in the community.
• Support the recruitment of students for the MSW and child welfare programs, including students from diverse communities, particularly the African American and American Indian/Native American communities.
• Participate in the admission process of Child Welfare Fellows and the coordination of child welfare learning opportunities including orientation, experiential learning, new worker training, etc.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.
• Collaborate with and attend meetings of the CASCW professional education team.
  

Other Responsibilities (5%)

• Participate in regular CASCW staff meetings.
• Participate in regular SSW, College of Education and Human Development, and University-wide committees as
  assigned or as elected and carry out responsibilities of committee assignments.
• Develop new curricula and course content when requested.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program, and 2-years minimum post-MSW social work.
• Currently licensed as a social worker, either in Minnesota or eligible to obtain Minnesota licensure (a successful candidate must be or become licensed in Minnesota before their start date).
• Experience in an agency serving families and children.
• Demonstrated abilities in collaboration, teamwork, and consultation.
• Strong commitment to equity in child welfare services.
• Familiarity with the field of child welfare and an understanding of the child protection system.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in English.
• Social work experience with difference and diversity in practice, including knowledge of and service to
  historically oppressed populations and a commitment to anti-oppressive and anti-racist social work practice and education.
• Ability to work with electronic and online information management and learning management systems.
• Ability to travel within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota locations.
• Ability to model ethical social work practice.
• Evidence of attention to diverse identities in teaching or professional experience, and the commitment to support the University's work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a practicum instructor and/or teaching graduate social work students
• Practice experience in public or tribal child welfare services.
• Knowledge of social work educational standards
• MN LICSW or LISW licensure
• Experience and certification in social work supervision
• More than three years of experience in a social work setting
• Knowledge of Twin Cities' metropolitan and state-wide social services
• Knowledge of national and international social work and social service context
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Effectiveness in teaching and/or training, as documented in participant evaluations

Institute Overview
The Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) is an 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 policymakers 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 $70,000 - $74,000. 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 be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Please upload proof of highest degree earned at time of application.

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.

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

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).