Casey Family Programs, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Founded in 1966, we work in 50 states, the District of Columbia and two territories and with more than a dozen tribal nations to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live. Casey Family Programs values diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and respect for individuals in the workplace. We encourage candidates with diverse lived experience and perspectives to apply.

Child and Family Services (CFS) of Casey Family Programs provides direct services and tribal consultation in pursuit of Casey’s mission to provide, improve, and – ultimately prevent the need for – foster care. CFS operates nine field offices in five states and an Indian Child Welfare Programs (ICWP) office that demonstrate direct service and Indian Chil Welfare (ICW) improvement models. We share our experiences and lessons learned with jurisdictions, tribes, providers, and communities in the spirit of mutual continuous learning. Our work is community and family centered, relationship-based, participatory, and culturally responsive. We recognize the dignity and strength of every individual, family, community and culture.

Job Summary

Indian Child Welfare Programs (ICWP) leads national and tribal initiatives that aim to strengthen tribal nations’ capacity to keep children healthy, safe, and connected with their families, communities, and cultures. ICWP office is based in Denver and partners with tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across North America to support the development of effective and culturally responsive child welfare services. As a national expert on AI/AN culture, practice and policy, the Senior Director for Public Policy and National Partnerships of ICWP provides leadership internally and externally on policy and practice related to Indian Child Welfare issues. The Sr. Director works collaboratively with tribal, state, federal, non-profit entities, community stakeholders, and others to develop, advocate for and implement policy initiatives that will reduce the need for foster care of tribal children, and promote safety and well-being for tribal families nationwide.

Essential Responsibilities

• As a member of the ICWP leadership team, and a senior leader in CFP, the senior director works with the Managing Director(s) to align the work of ICWP with the organizational strategic plan and the goals of ICWP, monitors progress against goals, and adjusts strategic direction, as needed. Ensures relationships with internal and external staff are positive and productive.
• Directly supervises and coaches staff, provides opportunities that enable growth through appropriate training, coaching, supervision, and performance evaluations. Coordinates and regularly communicates with the federal supervisors for the IPAs
• Leads the development and oversight of work unit budget, ongoing projects, and continued quality improvement. Ensures compliance with legal, financial, and strategic objectives, and coordinates with Casey Family Programs’ state plans. Ensures values of Casey Family Programs are incorporated in all work of ICWP, including respect for tribal sovereignty. 
• Collaborates with other Casey Family Programs work units, including SI policy staff and the national partnership team, to develop policy initiatives at the national, state and tribal levels, that will support the development of Communities of Hope, promote respect for tribal sovereignty and advance both the Gold Standard principles of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and more effective implementation of the ICWA
• Facilitates and leads the development of collaborative strategies with tribal, federal, state and national partners to reduce the need for foster care of tribal children, including more effective ICWA practices and better resourced tribal systems.
• Oversees relationships with tribal, federal, state and national partners, including child and family system partners, elected officials, judicial system partners’ community stakeholders, state court improvements, philanthropy or other organizations to support tribal family well-being.
• Leads and manages local, state and national initiatives that have transformational impacts for tribal children and families, ensuring tribal sovereignty and cultural humility and respect are centered in all work efforts. These include education and advocacy for tribal resources that support family well-being and culturally appropriate prevention strategies, state court improvements, effective ICWA practices, partnerships with philanthropy and other organizations to support tribal family well-being.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

All of these essential responsibilities necessitate the ability to work and communicate effectively across differences with diverse services, populations, staff and stakeholders to advance diversity, equity and inclusion; to work effectively in a team environment as well as work autonomously and exercise independent judgement as required; to demonstrate effective organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; to collaborate with management and staff to ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor degree with a Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field background and at least ten years of combined progressively responsible experience in Indian Child Welfare policy development and advocacy at the federal, and/ or state or local levels. Experience working for or collaborating with tribal governments on child welfare related issues is required. Familiarity with the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title IV-E and other federal child welfare laws and other laws which are relevant to the well-being of Indian children and families is also required.
• Demonstrated skill and leadership in policy development and working with tribes, state and federal governments
• Ability to provide technical assistance, make presentations, work independently, provide assessments and system evaluation. Excellent adaptive and technical leadership skills including training, group facilitation, and supervision are required.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender difference is required. Personal qualities demonstrating adaptability, curiosity, collaboration and a capacity for self-reflection and commitment to lifelong learning are a must. Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) is essential.
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Travel required for meetings, conferences, and events, up to 40%. Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is required.

Casey Family Programs requires a COVID-19 vaccination for in-person work. Therefore, all employees will be required to present proof of vaccination status unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption. 

This position is based at our Denver office. The base salary for this role is $137,000 to $161,000 annually.

Casey Family Programs offers benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts, eligibility for 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, disability, basic life, employee assistance plan and business travel insurance. Additionally, employees are eligible to accrue paid time off, starting at 8 hours per month of annual leave and 8 hours of sick time per month in the first year of employment. Casey Family Programs also observes 10 paid holidays per year and each employee receives one personal holiday to use each calendar year. Employees that meet certain tenure qualifiers are eligible for up to eight weeks of parental leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. After the completion of 10 years of continuous, full-time employment, employees in good standing are eligible for a three-month sabbatical with pay. Casey Family Programs also offers many opportunities for continued learning, training, and development.