Director of Center of Excellence for Social Work (52590)

SUMMARY: The Director of the Center for Excellence for Social Work 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.

The position reports to the dean and is located in the Albuquerque Metro area. It is expected that the Director will travel to other NMHU campus locations and institutions of higher education across the state.

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 possibility 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.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.