Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The MSU School of Social Work, within the College of Social Science, is dedicated to educating students for ethical, competent, responsive, and innovative social practice, and to conducting and disseminating high quality research that improves the well-being of the most vulnerable in society.  Our teaching, research, and outreach synergistically promote social justice, positive change, and solutions to the problems facing broad cross section individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  More than 600 students are enrolled in our CSWE- accredited BASW and MSW programs, and our PhD program.

The Child Welfare Certificate prepares MSW students for practice with vulnerable children and families.  This program supports students placed in public and private child welfare agencies, providing training and supervision aligned with state and national standards.  Students may be placed in child protective services, foster care, adoption, or family preservation settings across Michigan.

Field Liaisons in this role will support student development, facilitate integrative field seminars with their assigned students, and collaborate with agency partners to promote high-quality field education experiences within the child welfare context.  This is a project paid position.

Primary Functions of this role include:

- Conduct agency visits with a focus on child welfare practice and support

- Serve as a liaison between Field Education Office, student, and agency

- Maintain contact with students to monitor progress and support professional identity development

- Facilitate integrative seminars addressing child welfare values, ethical dilemmas, and MiTEAM competencies

- Collaborate with students and field instructors on learning agreement activities aligned with CWCE competencies

- Support students navigating secondary trauma, safety concerns, and ethical complexity in placement

- Submit timely documentation and communicate with field coordinator as needed

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Social Work

Minimum Requirements

- LMSW with a minimum of 3 years post-degree child welfare experience by the date of employment.

- Knowledge of DHS systems, child safety and risk assessment, permanency planning, and trauma-informed care

- Experience in mental health, behavioral health, or integrative care settings

- Experience facilitating negotiation, conflict resolution or mediation skills

- Experience facilitating small groups

- Excellent professional verbal and written communication skills

Desired Qualifications

- Previous experience as a field instructor, liaison, or trainer in child welfare

- Familiarity with MiTEAM competencies and CWCE field learning agreement

- Experience collaborating with courts, schools, and interagency teams

- Ability to support students navigating challenging or high-risk cases

- Familiarity with adult learning principles and student development

Required Application Materials

Interested candidates should send:

1. Cover Letter
2. Current resume or CV

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until positions are filled.  Positions will be filled on an as-needed basis.

Work Hours

This is an on-call project pay position.

Review of Applications Begins On

11/11/2025

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

www.socialwork.msu.edu

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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