Assistant Dean of Workforce Development

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The mission of the School of Social Work is to advance equity, transform systems, improve lives. The School's curriculum supports the mission and recognizes the uniqueness of the region served, including concerns for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families and communities. Classes provide rigorous and evidence-based content, and give students the opportunity to explore theory, learn intervention skills and engage in challenging dialogue with colleagues.

Spearheaded by UNC Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Social Work Coalition on Workforce Development (Coalition) is creating the Public Service Leadership Program for the state that is a five-year project funded by the NC Department of Health and Human Services and private philanthropic support. The five-year project has a total budget of over $12 million with the opportunity for additional funding for loan forgiveness for students who commit to service in the public sector.

The Coalition consists of 25 colleges and universities across North Carolina that offer undergraduate and/or graduate social work programs, and these institutions, through the PSLP, aim to build a pipeline of applicants into NC social work programs to strengthen our state's social work workforce and meet the demand for social workers in North Carolina. Critical service domains include child and family services; mental and behavioral health; health, aging and caregiving; intellectual and developmental disabilities; and service to justice system involved individuals.

The School of Social Work ( SSW) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a position as Assistant Dean of Workforce Development to lead an exciting new initiative the NC Public Service Leadership Program ( PSLP).

The Assistant Dean of Workforce Development ( ADWD) will work directly with the Principal Investigator and within the School of Social Work Office of Community Engagement and Outreach to accomplish three goals over the five-year project, including: 1) developing a pipeline by recruiting North Carolinians to enter the field of social work and increase awareness and knowledge of our public sector system and health and human services programs; 2) recruit, education and place social work students and graduates in public sector positions to develop a specialized workforce to meet statewide and rural needs; and 3) create resiliency and strengthen the existing workforce to retain social workers and effectively serve populations with complex needs.

This position will develop and execute activities to administer, plan, and implement the PSLP and maintain program resources. The ADWD will recruit, hire, and supervise staff, including an Assistant Director, a Communications Director, an Evaluation Director, Recruitment Coordinators, Certificate Program Coordinators, and other staff positions to support informational technology, professional learning communities, and contracts. The ADWD will assist with the coordination of an Advisory Council, comprising University, State, philanthropy, employers, and community representatives, and facilitate regular meetings to develop strategies for long-range sustainability. The Assistant Dean will develop statewide recruitment, awareness, and public education campaigns with the outcome of establishing sub-awards, memorandums of understandings, and articulation agreements with community partners and other stakeholders, including participating Coalition universities, high schools, and community colleges.

The project plans to take a multi-faceted approach to shore up the public sector service workforce and to produce highly competent social work practitioners to work with targeted populations across the state. This position and the team will be vital for increasing recruitment and outreach to build a pipeline of social workers; developing a statewide Public Sector Leadership Program to emphasize direct service and focus on critical service delivery areas; attracting new practitioners through a loan forgiveness and public service sector work commitment; and retaining existing workforce through professional learning communities and career development.

The Assistant Dean will organize and oversee six teams, including Project Administration, Planning, and Implementation; Recruitment and Career Pipeline; Public Education, Marketing, and Communications; Curriculum, Certificate, and Training Development; Practicum Education, Post-Graduation Service Agreement, and Licensure; and Evaluation and Sustainability, to successfully implement all aspects of the project over five years. The ADWD will coordinate with workforce development partners, including the National Association of Social Workers ( NASW: NC Chapter), the Public School Forum of North Carolina, UNC Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, and all 25 universities of the Coalition. This role is central to the project's success, ensuring smooth collaboration across various teams, organizations, and initiatives.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or comparable background in independent academic or instructional activities, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. This experience may be related to the direction/oversight of programs that focus the academic and research resources of a higher education institution towards community or regional issues.

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