Position Overview
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Coordinator teaches, guides, monitors, and supports students, Practicum Instructors (social workers practicing at host agencies who supervise MSW interns), and the MSW program in the practicum component of the MSW program. Practicum comprises the largest portion of the MSW education and is identified by our accrediting body as the âœsignature pedagogy❠of social work education. 

The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator has the unique position of working with both the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) and the School of Social Workâ™s Practicum program. It is a collaborative position with a specialty in public/Tribal child welfare. 

The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator, through enacting the essential functions listed below, guides child welfare students and Practicum Instructors through the practicum portion of their education and assures that students are gaining the competencies they require to enter practice as MSW-level social workers upon graduation. Additionally, the Practicum Coordinator works closely within the MSW program and with other practicum education coordinators to continually improve and enhance the practicum component of the MSW program. The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator coordinates 30-40 Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellows within public/Tribal child welfare-related practicum placements. The Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator teaches up to four practicum seminars annually. 

Beyond direct work with child welfare students in the classroom and with their community-based practicum agencies and staff, the Child Welfare Practicum Coordinator works closely with CASCW staff to deliver professional education experiences throughout the continuum of learning within the studentsâ™ MSW program. This can include child welfare student recruitment, selection, orientation, experiential learning, specialized training and development opportunities, and postgraduate support.  

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work-life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.  

Job Responsibilities
Teach Graduate level social work students (55%)

• Participate in the development of the curriculum for practicum. 
• Teach up to three practice seminars per semester, with a community co-facilitator/community adjunct, in a program that operates Monday through Saturday, including evenings. Summer semester teaching as needed. 
• Serve as the practicum liaison for child welfare students in foundation (generalist) and specialization practicum placements. 
• Meet at minimum, twice annually with each student and Task Supervisor/Practicum Instructor for liaison visits.
• Provide conflict management and support to students and Practicum Instructors within placements. 
• Maintain positive relationships with Practicum Instructors within the community. 
• Work with students to arrange appropriate supervision in innovative and non-traditional settings. 
• Utilize the School of Social Work's Intern Placement Tracking  (IPT) and Canvas to monitor student progress and performance in all aspects of practicum, completing all evaluations and grade submissions, in consultation with students and Practicum Instructors.
• Advise graduate students. When assigned, provide both academic and professional development advising, and advice related to the intersection of personal and professional development to MSW students that often goes beyond the scope of most academic advising in the MSW program. 

Participate and Support the Graduate Practicum Education Program (20%)

• Promote the integration of practicum instruction in the Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum. 
• Support the development and maintenance of practicum program materials, including the MSW Practicum  Manual, practicum database, Practicum Instructor training materials, and evaluation tools for students in practicums. 
• Participate in the long-range planning for practicum education and training in the Master of Social Work program. 
• Participate in the planning and implementation of practicum events, including symposia, workshops, lectures, the annual Practicum Instructor luncheon, and the annual Practicum Agency Information Day event.
• Collaborate with and attend meetings of the practicum team.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Practicum Education to implement the evaluation of practice behaviors that make up the core competencies taught in the MSW curriculum. 
• Participate in the planning and delivery of the Practicum Instructor training modules annually.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Practicum Education to implement and coordinate the summer practicum students, student orientation, and communication with other School of Social Work staff. 
• Recruit agencies and social work units to serve as training sites for Practicum. 
• Recruit talented and committed practicum instructors and develop child welfare practicum placements, particularly with public and tribal agencies around the Twin Cities metropolitan area, as well as, greater Minnesota when needed.
• Recruit, train, and support community practicum seminar liaisons/Community Adjuncts. 
• Serve as a member of the School of Social Work's Practicum Advisory Board. 
• Represent the School's Practicum component in meetings with local academic institutions for matching, Practicum Agency Information Day, and training events. 
   

Child Welfare program outreach and development (20%)

• Work collaboratively with the CASCWâ™s Director of Professional Education to represent CASCW and SSW in building and maintaining strong connections with family-serving agencies in the community. 
• Support the recruitment of students for the MSW and child welfare programs, including students from diverse communities, particularly the African American and American Indian/Native American communities.
• Participate in the admission process of Child Welfare Fellows and the coordination of child welfare learning opportunities including orientation, experiential learning, new worker training, etc.
• Engage in ongoing professional development. 
• Collaborate with and attend meetings of the CASCW professional education team. 
   

Other Responsibilities (5%)

• Participate in regular CASCW staff meetings.
• Participate in regular SSW, College of Education and Human Development, and University-wide committees as
  assigned or as elected and carry out responsibilities of committee assignments.
• Develop new curricula and course content when requested. 

Required Qualifications

• Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program, and 2-years minimum post-MSW social work.
• Currently licensed as a social worker, either in Minnesota or eligible to obtain Minnesota licensure (a successful candidate must be or become licensed in Minnesota before their start date).
• Experience in an agency serving families and children.
• Demonstrated abilities in collaboration, teamwork, and consultation.
• Strong commitment to equity in child welfare services.
• Familiarity with the field of child welfare and an understanding of the child protection system.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in English.
• Social work experience with difference and diversity in practice, including knowledge of and service to
  historically oppressed populations and a commitment to anti-oppressive and anti-racist social work practice and education.
• Ability to work with electronic and online information management and learning management systems.
• Ability to travel within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota locations.
• Ability to model ethical social work practice.
• Evidence of attention to diverse identities in teaching or professional experience, and the commitment to support the Universityâ™s work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a practicum instructor and/or teaching graduate social work students 
• Practice experience in public or tribal child welfare services.
• Knowledge of social work educational standards 
• MN LICSW or LISW licensure 
• Experience and certification in social work supervision 
• More than three years of experience in a social work setting 
• Knowledge of Twin Cities' metropolitan and state-wide social services 
• Knowledge of national and international social work and social service context 
• Strong problem-solving skills 
• Effectiveness in teaching and/or training, as documented in participant evaluations 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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