APSWI Program Director

The application period for this position will close at 430 pm on October 17, 2022.

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services incorporate principles of anti-racist, trauma-informed, and recovery oriented practices. Providing over 70,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy creates experiences with the mission to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. The Academy continues to grow with new programs and a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond.

A significant effort in the Academy’s commitment to the ongoing work of creating an anti-racist, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed workplace is the recruitment of individuals who represent the full diversity of our community. The Academy invests in people to create an innovative work environment that promotes well-being and a culture that builds on and fosters the strengths of its staff and their intersectional identities. When you join the Academy team you can expect to contribute to an inclusive and innovative environment where the sharing of ideas, perspectives, and experiences is welcomed and encouraged. In applying for a position at the Academy, we invite you to consider our Core Values and our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI) is a workforce development program that provides innovative workforce development to Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals. APSWI mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities to ensure that older adults and adults with disabilities who are vulnerable and experience abuse receive high quality, effective interventions, and services.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Academy CEO, the APSWI Director is responsible for the management of Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI), including program planning, implementation, personnel, community interface and statewide committee representation. Position provides oversight in the APSWI delivery of comprehensive, culturally appropriate, competency-based, in-service workforce development opportunities for adult protective services agencies. These services include training, simulation, coaching, organizational support, leadership development, technical assistance and capacity building designed to provide participants the knowledge, skills and values of the best in adult protective services practice and research, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for older adults and adults with disabilities who are vulnerable and experience abuse.

This position oversees 7 staff, 2 of whom are direct reports. APSWI has a $3.5+ million dollar annual budget and provides over 40 days of classroom and eLearning training, curriculum development, organizational consultation, and related services to 6 southern California county adult protective services departments. This position provides collaborative services to stakeholders in the 6 southern counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego) and interfaces with national and statewide entities including, but not limited to National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), National APS Training Center (NATC), Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Child and Family Policy Institute of California (CFPIC), and other Regional Training Academies in the California. The position also works closely with the Academy’s Strategy & Outcomes and Business Development Divisions.

This position is fully remote in California and works primarily from a home office with some travel to Academy and county offices required. Hybrid/in-office options are also available for this position once COVID restrictions are lifted.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a full time position. The following information is intended to be a representation of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed or updated, at any time, based on the needs of the department.

Note Some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, elder abuse, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (60%)

Direct the implementation, coordination and administration of APSWI services
Establish and monitor progress toward program goals and objectives
Evaluate and enhance program goals and objectives
Provide direction regarding infrastructure development, staffing, workload, programmatic policies and workflow
Work in conjunction with APSWI Leadership to develop and implement APSWI strategic plan that aligns with Academy-wide strategic plan
Determine program staffing requirements (positions and duties) and resource needs
Plan, organize and direct the activities of the APSWI team
Direct the recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation and retention of program staff
Represent the Academy and APSWI to the public
Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings to inform program direction and service priorities
Direct the development of a training plan for stakeholders
Direct needs assessment process with stakeholders in order to form scopes of work and develop contracts
Actively participate in statewide strategic planning and visioning meetings with national, state, and regional partners from CDSS and other Southern Regional Training Academies to inform and advocate for best practices in Adult Protective Services
Work in conjunction with CEO and CFO to assist with the development of all APSWI contracts, budgets and expense tracking
Oversee and direct the execution of all contract deliverables
Oversee and direct contract monitoring, data collection regarding deliverables and reporting to customers
Develop, monitor and track APSWI program budgets
Remain current on emerging adult protective services trends, initiatives and workforce development practices in order to use this knowledge to inform management of APSWI staff and provision of services to customers
Maintain positive working relationships and engage in collaborative partnerships with a variety of colleagues at the regional, statewide, and national levels
Effectively manage politically sensitive issues among key stakeholders
Ensure compliance with contracts/scopes of work
Maintain awareness of both the external and internal competitive landscape
Plan for ongoing innovation of our services and sustainability of APSWI program
Engage in outreach for further development of new contracts and funding
Participate in All Staff meetings/events, internal/cross-program committees and other ad hoc meetings/events to promote good working relationships and collaborative partnerships across the Academy;
Engage in regular communication to keep APSWI staff and broader Academy community apprised of all developments impacting or potentially impacting the program
Deliver presentations to various audiences
Write reports

SUPERVISION (15%)

Participate in recruitment, hiring and onboarding of new APSWI staff
Provide personnel management including regular supervision conferences, ongoing performance feedback, and professional development for direct reports
Work in conjunction with Academy CEO and HR to address performance issues
Work with APSWI Leadership Team to identify and plan for staff development activities for APSWI staff

ACADEMY LEADERSHIP (20%)

Be an active participant and contributor in Leadership Team meetings
Engage in strategic planning and decision making regarding issues impacting organizational culture, growth, and expansion.
Participate in leadership development opportunities;
Represent and advocate for the needs of the APSWI program.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Advanced knowledge of Adult Protective Services and Adult Learning Theory
Knowledge of anti-racist, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
Passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural responsiveness
Ability to direct and supervise others
Ability to interface constructively and considerately with a diverse group of stakeholders and co-workers in ways that model and reflect our vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Developing and managing high performing teams
Excellent interpersonal skills such as diplomacy, accurate listening/speaking skills
Ability to think and plan strategically to align organizational strategies with the mission, vision and values
Project and process management skills, including proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to coordinate work projects, determine priorities, set deadlines and complete work accordingly
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including clear, concise correspondence
Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions
Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills and the ability to collect, analyze, synthesize, and present data.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changes and shifting priorities
Competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, policies, information, ideas, and instructions
Learn office technology systems, including Google Suite and virtual training platforms
Fluency in using standard office software packages for report preparation, presentation designs, and other work products as needed

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to a master’s degree in the appropriate field related to the program/project
OR-
Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
Eight (8) years of experience managing and supervising staff; program management and oversight in the industry related to the program/project.
Four (4) years of previous experience working in a social services capacity.

Preferred Qualifications

Five years experience in adult protective services, two years serving in a leadership capacity
Two years experience administering a workforce development program
Experience using multiple workforce development modalities, including virtual training.
Masters in public health and human services or a related field.

Supplemental Information

San Diego State University Research Foundation is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person’s identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with SDSU Research Foundation

San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer