Director, National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement

The Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine is pleased to announce an opening for the Director of the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement.

As the Director of the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement , you will lead the Federal Children’s Bureau's primary vehicle for delivering effective, high-quality technical assistance (TA) to all title IV-B and title IV-E-funded American Indian/Alaska Native child welfare programs across the country. This position, part of the prime agency, works closely with the co-Project Director employed by the lead subcontractor on design, implementation, and evaluation. This position also works in close collaboration with the Federal partner to ensure responsiveness to federal priorities, policy changes, and emerging needs on the national landscape.

The TA provided enhances organizational and system performance and improves outcomes for tribal children, youth, and families by honoring Indigenous ways of knowing and by working collaboratively to ensure the preservation of tribal cultures. The Center provides culturally relevant and responsive TA regarding workforce supports, prevention programs, the development of tribal child welfare programs in support of federal requirements, tribal–state collaboration, and data management.

The Director brings project leadership expertise and deep content knowledge to their role of conceptualizing the direction of the Center. This position networks and maintains relationships with tribal and state child welfare technical assistance providers at the national level. This position contributes knowledge to the field through writing and dissemination of publications and presentations.

This is a grant funded position with a starting annual salary up to $120,000 commensurate with experience. This can be a remote or hybrid position.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary .

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University .

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree and seven to ten years of relevant professional experience or Doctorate degree and three to five years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing Federal and/or tribal projects and teams.
• Project management skills and experience with large projects with multiple priorities and timelines.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of effective technical assistance.
• Demonstrated skills in team leadership and effective supervision.
• Experience writing successful funding proposals, knowledge of funding sources and project development.

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.

For full consideration please submit all required materials by January 4, 2026 .

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

Clery Act:

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.

EEO Statement:

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/ .