Director of Child Advocacy Studies

NWACC•Benton County Location, Arkansas, AR

About The Position

The Director of Child Advocacy Studies provides leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for Child Advocacy Studies instruction, workforce training initiatives, and related activities of the Melba Shewmaker National Child Protection Training Center. The role oversees program administration, curriculum coordination, assessment, budgeting, grant management, workforce development, student support, and partnership cultivation to ensure program quality, sustainability, and growth. The director serves as the primary liaison with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and workforce partners. The position may include teaching up to six credit hours per semester, based on program needs and qualifications. The director leads planning, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of programs, certificates, workforce training initiatives, and grant-funded projects. Responsibilities include managing program operations and resources; developing strategic initiatives; coordinating curriculum and academic pathways; directing program review, accreditation, assessment, and compliance; and leading workforce and professional education initiatives. The director also recruits, supervises, evaluates, and mentors staff and adjunct faculty, supports students, represents the College in professional and community settings, and participates in institutional service activities. The work environment is typically a professional office setting with moderate noise, standard office lighting, and a comfortable temperature. Occasional visits to other areas, including storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, may involve varying conditions. Infrequent exposure to louder noise or moving lightweight materials may occur. The role includes frequent keyboarding and other finger manipulation, sitting, standing, and walking, and constant hearing, repetitive motion, and talking. Close visual acuity is required for data preparation and analysis, transcription, computer use, reading, and visual inspection.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, education, public administration, human services, or a closely related field.
At least three years of progressively responsible experience in child advocacy, child protection, social services, criminal justice, mental health, workforce development, higher education administration, or a related field.
Candidates with a bachelor's degree and extensive documented experience directly related to the position's responsibilities may also be considered.
Knowledge of child advocacy, child protection, social services, human services, criminal justice, education, mental health, or related disciplines.
Knowledge of higher education administration, curriculum development, accreditation standards, assessment practices, and institutional effectiveness.
Knowledge of workforce development, professional education, and community engagement principles.
Knowledge of grant administration, budgeting, fiscal accountability, and compliance requirements.
Knowledge of student success strategies, recruitment, retention, and advising practices.
Skill in strategic planning, program development, and organizational leadership.
Skill in budget management, grant oversight, and resource allocation.
Skill in supervising, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating employees and adjunct faculty.
Skill in project management, data analysis, assessment, and continuous improvement processes.
Skill in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
Skill in preparing reports, presentations, grant applications, and regulatory documentation.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to provide effective leadership and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with community, educational, governmental, and workforce partners.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, accreditation standards, and grant requirements.
Ability to analyze data, evaluate outcomes, and implement improvement strategies.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
Ability to support student recruitment, advising, retention, completion, and workforce placement efforts.
Ability to teach assigned coursework and facilitate student learning using approved instructional methods.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in social work, law, criminal justice, psychology, education, public administration, or a related discipline.
Experience managing grants, budgets, workforce education programs, or externally funded initiatives.
Experience with higher education program leadership, accreditation, assessment, and curriculum development.
Experience developing partnerships with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
Supervisory and personnel management experience.
Demonstrated leadership or recognized expertise in child advocacy, child protection, forensic interviewing, social work, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for planning, implementing, evaluating, and expanding Child Advocacy Studies programs, certificates, workforce training initiatives, and grant-funded projects.
Manage program operations, including scheduling, enrollment management, recruitment, student support services, assessment, financial performance, and required reporting.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives supporting program effectiveness, sustainability, growth, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Coordinate development, review, and integration of Child Advocacy Studies courses, certificates, and academic pathways.
Direct program review, accreditation, assessment, continuous improvement, and compliance with institutional, state, federal, and grant requirements.
Develop, administer, and monitor program and grant budgets; identify funding opportunities; and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
Establish and maintain partnerships with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development entities.
Lead workforce and professional education initiatives through the Melba Shewmaker National Child Protection Training Center and identify emerging workforce development needs.
Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate, and mentor assigned staff and adjunct faculty while fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
Teach assigned coursework; advise and support students; represent the College in professional and community settings; participate in institutional service activities; and perform other duties as assigned.