Field Director, Master of Social Work Program - College of Education and Community Innovation

Grand Valley State University • Grand Rapids, MI

4d • $72,000 - $76,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) School of Social Work seeks a Field Director for the MSW program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) classifies GVSU MSW program as campus-based and all required courses are taught in person or hybrid.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited MSW Program.
• Minimum of two years of post-MSW professional social work experience.
• Evidence of critical, reflective thinking about the role of field education within social work education.
• Record of, or demonstrated potential for, working with graduate students and community partners to support MSW field education.
• Ability to provide leadership to the field education program through practice experience, field instruction experience, and administrative or other relevant academic and professional activities in social work
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, including a clear commitment to anti-racist social work practice in alignment with CSWE standards.
• Demonstrated ability to establish professional relationships, partnerships and collaborations, and network with community organizations and agencies.
• Ability to work productively with colleagues with flexibility and creativity.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Three years or more post MSW professional social work experience.
• LMSW (or equivalent license).
• Previous field placement coordination experience, strong skills in mediation and collaboration, knowledge of area social service agencies, and experience in program development and management.
• Ability to contribute to the diversity of the faculty through lived experience and/or professional practice.

Responsibilities

• Coordination and placement of all MSW students entering field education, including orientation, evaluating student interest and educational needs, verifying academic readiness for field education, and making placement decisions, including employment-based field placement proposals.
• Provide consultation and mediation, as necessary, to students, Field Education Supervisors and faculty field liaisons.
• If/when informal methods to address concerns in the field education are unsuccessful, the MSW Field Director will implement policies related to disrupted placements through the practicum review process.
• Develop, maintain, assist, monitor, and evaluate community field placement sites.
• Recruit, screen, and develop quality new and expanded field placement locations, including those for specialized and underserved populations.
• Work with the GVSU Health Compliance office to complete affiliation agreements with social work field placement sites.
• Work with GVSU Health Compliance staff to ensure students complete Health Compliance requirements before and during field education.
• Attend and participate in the Health Compliance -Clinical Placement Committee’s quarterly meetings.
• Evaluate student learning experiences, progress, and outcomes.
• Develop, evaluate, update, and implement policies and procedures for field education, including reviewing and revising the field education manual.
• Maintain documentation including student field applications, new supervisor information, agency surveys, database entry, and online learning contract portal.
• Regular collaboration and communication with department directors, faculty, staff, students, and the community.
• Collaboration with other university departments that intersect with field education (Padnos International Center, Health Compliance, Legal, Clinical Placement Council, etc.).
• Maintain relationships with community partners and existing field education sites.
• Conduct an annual evaluation of field education, identifying, planning, and addressing trends in field education.
• Collect and/or analyze field outcome data.
• Select, orient, and develop work of the Faculty Field Liaisons, including meetings every semester.
• Coordinate and assign students to Faculty Field Liaisons and seminar groups.
• Convene Practicum Review Committee, Field Advisory Board, Faculty Field Liaison meetings, and Field Education Practice Committee.
• Plan, organize, and conduct field education training for faculty liaisons, students, and agency-based Field Education Supervisors related to field education.
• Collaborate with field education directors at other colleges and universities on the enhancement of field education.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement annual Field Supervisor Thank You event.
• Remain abreast of CSWE policies and procedures as they relate to Field Education and attend any relevant trainings/conferences.
• Participate in re-accreditation processes as related to Field Education.
• Attend/participate in Faculty/Staff meetings.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level