Child Welfare Team
NCYL’s Child Welfare team engages in advocacy to advance the well-being of children and youth impacted by the child welfare system. The team works to improve system-wide outcomes, including the quality and stability of placements as well as access to trauma-informed services.
Position
NCYL seeks a Senior Director of Child Welfare to lead our work to improve the experiences of children and youth impacted by the child welfare system. This person will contribute to strategy and lead initiatives at the local, state and national level. This a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about transforming the systems that impact the well-being of children, youth and communities.
Essential Functions
- Develop and implement NCYL’s child welfare advocacy agenda employing a variety of strategies to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Lead state and national-level advocacy campaigns to advance child welfare reform, including redressing racial disproportionality.
- Lead, create and manage multiple strategies to achieve campaign goals.
- Identify and develop child welfare litigation strategies and effective remedies to address systemic issues in child welfare systems.
- Identify and develop child welfare policy and partnership strategies to address systemic issues in child welfare systems.
- Develop and maintain relationships with local, state, and national advocacy partners and subject matter experts in child welfare.
- Monitor ongoing implementation of court orders and settlement agreements designed to reform child welfare systems.
- Review work products, strategies, and recommendations of other NCYL staff on child welfare issues.
- Work with the Executive Director and development team to secure funds for NCYL’s child welfare efforts.
- Create a positive and collaborative team and work environment that fosters, cultivates, and preserves a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Required Qualifications
- J.D. degree
- Minimum 10 years of experience with some combination of litigation, policy advocacy and systemic reform of public system.
Other Qualifications
- Demonstrated understanding of and experience in children’s rights and civil rights litigation on issues involving public systems and children and youth.
- Ability to use a racial justice lens.
- Demonstrated expertise in child welfare systemic reform.
- Experience in federal and/or state policy reform.
- Demonstrated understanding of the harm caused to youth, families and communities by the child welfare system.
- Demonstrated understanding of how child welfare systems intersect with other systems that affect youth and families.
- Ability to establish and maintain a deep national network of partnerships and relationships within the child welfare field.
- Clear and persuasive oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop rapport and influence others.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to manage complex projects, delegate effectively, and take responsibility for decisions.
- Ability to collaborate with NCYL staff across teams to ensure the use of appropriate strategy and tools to advance the goals of our campaigns.
- Fluency in oral and written Spanish preferred.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter and resume to apply. No phone calls or emails please.
Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/755705/National-Center-For-Youth-Law/Senior-Director—Child-Welfare
Applicants with personal experience within a public system and applicants of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.
NCYL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, ethnic background, sex, disability, size, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, or genetic information. Applicants who will increase the diversity of NCYL are strongly encouraged to apply.
