Description
The Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine is pleased to announce an opening for the Director of the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement.
As the Director of the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement, you will lead the Federal Children’s Bureau's primary vehicle for delivering effective, high-quality technical assistance (TA) to all title IV-B and title IV-E-funded American Indian/Alaska Native child welfare programs across the country. This position, part of the prime agency, works closely with the co-Project Director employed by the lead subcontractor on design, implementation, and evaluation. This position also works in close collaboration with the Federal partner to ensure responsiveness to federal priorities, policy changes, and emerging needs on the national landscape.
The TA provided enhances organizational and system performance and improves outcomes for tribal children, youth, and families by honoring Indigenous ways of knowing and by working collaboratively to ensure the preservation of tribal cultures. The Center provides culturally relevant and responsive TA regarding workforce supports, prevention programs, the development of tribal child welfare programs in support of federal requirements, tribal–state collaboration, and data management.
The Director brings project leadership expertise and deep content knowledge to their role of conceptualizing the direction of the Center. This position networks and maintains relationships with tribal and state child welfare technical assistance providers at the national level. This position contributes knowledge to the field through writing and dissemination of publications and presentations.
This is a grant funded position with a starting annual salary up to $120,000 commensurate with experience. This can be a remote or hybrid position.
The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):
13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
Health, dental and vision insurance.
Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.
To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.
The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.
The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.
We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.
The Director of the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement leads the Federal
Children’s Bureau's primary vehicle for delivering effective, high-quality technical assistance (TA) to all title
IV-B and title IV-E-funded American Indian/Alaska Native child welfare programs across the country. This
position, part of the prime agency, works closely with the co-Project Director employed by the lead
subcontractor on design, implementation, and evaluation. The TA provided will enhance organizational and
system performance and improve outcomes for tribal children, youth, and families by honoring Indigenous
ways of knowing and by working collaboratively to ensure the preservation of tribal cultures. The Center will
provide culturally relevant and responsive TA regarding workforce supports, prevention programs, the
development of tribal child welfare programs in support of federal requirements, tribal–state collaboration,
and data management.
The Director brings deep content knowledge and project leadership expertise to their role of conceptualizing
the direction of the Center. This position works in close collaboration with the Federal partner on this
cooperative agreement to ensure responsiveness to federal priorities, policy changes, and emerging needs on
the national landscape. This position networks and maintains relationships with tribal and state child welfare
technical assistance providers at the national level and develops new work by cultivating funding sources.
This position contributes knowledge to the field through writing and dissemination of publications and
presentations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Leads large federal cooperative agreement with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
Children’s Bureau. Responsible for budget of over $4.3 million annually, overseeing internal team of
15 and a full team of over 40 staff and consultants. May serve as co-Principal Investigator. - Leads funder relations, communicating daily if necessary on strategic planning, designing capacity
building services and delivery processes, national external communications, policy implications, and
review of analytics. - Establishes and maintains high level contacts with tribal, national, and state agencies, technical
assistance providers, federal partner centers, regional offices, and philanthropic organizations. Provides leadership and expert consultation, coordinating technical assistance efforts with other
agencies when appropriate. - Provides leadership, expertise and direction in designing and managing national technical assistance
provision, product development, and organizational and program development in tribal child welfare. - Oversees Center Service Area Managers and Project Manager, assisting with the development of implementation plans, monitoring workplan progress, reviewing data, and ensuring managers have the resources and information needed to be successful in their roles. Mentors staff on areas such as working on federal projects or managing technical assistance provision.
- Responsible for ensuring the development, coordination, and approval of all Center high-level plans including strategic plan, communication plan, evaluation plan, workplan, etc. Ensures project values are reflected in all of these documents and in the measures of the Center’s success.
- Responsible for complying with federal reporting requirements, ensuring timely and accurate completion and submission.
- Manages complex, multi-funding stream budget, oversees subcontracts with subrecipients and consultants, obtains federal approval for significant budget modifications.
- Represents the Center at national and regional conferences.
- Serves as liaison to media regarding the Center, coordinates with Federal partner and USM Government Relations when needed.
- Writes articles and reports; provides consultation to other staff in writing proposals and in analysis of data and writing of research and technical assistance reports and reviews all written reports.
- Develops plans for long range, sustainable funding and identifies initiatives for proposals; writes and reviews proposals and government contracts.
- Reviews current research, legal and policy changes to assess impact and inform current projects and the development.
- Additional duties as reasonably assigned.
SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*:
- Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid driver’s license,
and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance. - Work on federally funded projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for the hiring, training and work assignment for professional staff, administrative staff,
temporary employees, contractors, graduate student interns and work study students.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES:
Administers and fully responsible for planning, forecasting, and final approval of budget transactions for $4.3
million.
PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE:
- Makes presentations at professional conferences or forums and provides assistance to community
agencies, legislators, state agency staff or others on issues related to the project. - Works with other staff in preparing journal articles or other materials for scholarly publications.
- Remains involved in state or national professional associations.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
Internal: Project Staff, Cutler staff, USM Government Relations, graduate interns.
External: Establishes and maintains relationships with funders, collaborative partners, tribal
programs, and community organizations at a tribal, federal, and state level. Consults with and advises
federal and tribal partners in determining priorities, initiatives, and interventions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Advanced knowledge of tribal and state child welfare practice and policy, its interpretation, and
implementation. - Knowledge, skills, and experience in providing culturally-responsive services.
- Possesses an attitude that fosters a respectful, thriving workplace environment.
- Demonstrated ability in project leadership and management, continuous quality improvement,
and strategic planning. - Experience with design and implementation of effective systemic change initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and work successfully with a broad spectrum of
administrators, policy makers, advocates, community members, and professional staff in the
child welfare and tribal-state relations areas. - Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:
Cover Letter
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.
For full consideration please submit all required materials by January 4, 2026.
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.
Requirements
Required:
- Master’s degree and seven to ten years of relevant professional experience or Doctorate degree and
three to five years of relevant experience. - Experience managing Federal and/or tribal projects and teams.
- Project management skills and experience with large projects with multiple priorities and timelines.
- Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of effective technical assistance.
- Demonstrated skills in team leadership and effective supervision.
- Experience writing successful funding proposals, knowledge of funding sources and project
development.
Preferred:
- Experience with Tribal communities, Tribally-led initiatives, and cross cultural collaboratives.
- Experience with the delivery of technical assistance at the national level or regional level.
License/Certifications:
N/A
