ICWA Partnership & Implementation Lead

JBS International•North Bethesda, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The ICWA Partnership and Implementation Lead serves as NCWCIA’s primary implementation support lead within the cross-center ICWA Technical Assistance Collaborative. The role works directly with State/County, Tribal, and court partners participating in Community-Based Partnerships (CBPs) and other ICWA technical assistance activities to strengthen implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). It connects the collaborative with NCWCIA’s broader service array and helps partners translate ICWA requirements into sustainable policies, practices, workflows, supervision structures, data systems, and continuous quality improvement efforts. The position builds and maintains collaborative relationships with Tribal, State/County, and court partners; serves as a primary contact and implementation advisor for participating agencies; and supports partners in addressing topics such as inquiry and notice, active efforts, placement preferences, qualified expert witnesses, transfer of jurisdiction, AFCARS implementation, and cross-system collaboration. The lead coordinates technical assistance with Children’s Bureau partners and other federally funded providers, supports partnership teams through planning and implementation, and connects jurisdictions with relevant NCWCIA expertise. The role also contributes to implementation resources and reviews reports, presentations, plans, and technical assistance products. As a Technical Expert II, the incumbent collaborates with technical experts and project leadership to design and deliver training and technical assistance and project deliverables. The role may include coaching or guiding staff, consultants, and collaborators and may involve supervision of project-affiliated staff. The position is remote eligible; employees living within 50 miles of the North Bethesda, Maryland, or San Mateo, California, offices are expected to work in a hybrid capacity. A Public Trust clearance must be obtainable.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field.
At least 15 years of relevant work experience.
Demonstrated expertise in public child welfare systems and child welfare practice.
Demonstrated knowledge of ICWA implementation, Tribal-State-child welfare partnerships, and child welfare system improvement efforts.
Experience working with Tribal Nations and Tribal child welfare programs.
Experience providing technical assistance, consultation, facilitation, coaching, or practice-improvement support.
Experience supporting implementation of federal child welfare requirements and initiatives.
English fluency, both oral and written.
Must be able to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
Interacts positively, courteously, and professionally with others; works effectively as a team member and independently without extensive supervision; and follows the chain of command for personnel or management concerns.
Understands cultural differences, including being tribally informed.
Effective, clear, and professional written and oral communication skills.
Attention to detail.
Knowledge of current and emerging issues for assigned grant program areas.
Uses a strengths-based approach to technical assistance and working with others.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to sit for extended periods and operate a computer keyboard and mouse.
Ability to see and read computer screens and printed materials.
Dexterity to use hands and fingers to operate equipment and perform precision tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with team members and stakeholders.
Frequently stands, walks, reaches, and bends to access office equipment and attend meetings.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for short distances.
Ability to perceive and interact with the environment using hearing and speaking skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting AFCARS, CQI, data-informed decision-making, or implementation planning.
Experience facilitating multi-system collaboratives or cross-sector partnerships.
Experience working on federally funded child welfare technical assistance projects.
Experience managing complex technical assistance projects and stakeholder partnerships.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Tribal, State/County, and court partners participating in the ICWA initiative.
Serve as the primary point of contact and implementation advisor for State and/or county child welfare agencies participating in CBPs, ICWA technical assistance activities, and Title IV-B ICWA implementation efforts.
Develop and maintain an understanding of partner needs related to ICWA implementation, including inquiry and notice, active efforts, placement preferences, qualified expert witnesses, transfer of jurisdiction, AFCARS implementation, and State/County-Tribal-Court collaboration.
Help jurisdictions translate ICWA requirements into day-to-day practice through policy review, workflow development, implementation planning, and problem-solving.
Collaborate with Children’s Bureau partners and federally funded technical assistance providers to coordinate cross-center technical assistance.
Support CBP teams through planning, facilitation, implementation support, follow-up, and coordination of resources and expertise.
Work with NCWCIA Data and CQI staff to help partners use AFCARS and other data to strengthen implementation, monitor progress, and inform continuous improvement.
Connect jurisdictions with NCWCIA expertise in prevention, permanency, workforce, community and systems insights, performance and outcomes, peer networking, and continuous quality improvement.
Support development of implementation tools, workflows, practice guides, resource materials, and products emerging from CBPs and peer learning activities.
Provide content review and input on reports, presentations, implementation plans, and technical assistance products.
Identify emerging implementation challenges, promising practices, and opportunities for innovation across jurisdictions.
Maintain professional expertise and stay current on relevant child welfare, human services, and ICWA issues, policies, regulations, evidence-informed practices, and trends.
Design, deliver, and support high-quality training and technical assistance that meets client, contract, and project requirements.
Maintain communication with clients, partners, consultants, and project staff; participate in meetings; and provide consultation, guidance, and recommendations on technical assistance approaches.
Collaborate with project leadership, technical experts, and partners to identify needs, analyze challenges, support problem-solving, and develop system-improvement strategies.
Support planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of project activities, including timely completion of deliverables and technical assistance commitments.
Identify and communicate emerging issues, promising practices, lessons learned, and opportunities for innovation.
Facilitate collaboration and information-sharing across partners and projects to support coordinated service delivery and learning.
Develop, contribute to, and review written products and deliverables, including reports, presentations, tools, guidance documents, meeting summaries, and technical assistance materials.
Guide and support project staff, consultants, and partners in technical assistance activities and supervise staff as assigned.
Maintain appropriate records and documentation of technical assistance activities in accordance with project and contractual requirements.
Participate in project planning, quality improvement, proposal development, and business development activities as assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.