Accreditation Specialist

Company Description We're looking for an Accreditation Specialist to join our team! Are you passionate about social work and want to be a part of a team supporting quality social work education?

Join the CSWE today and help us continue to make a difference!

Compensation & Benefits:

Competitive Base Salary: starting at $70k DOE
Remote work eligible!
Health, dental, vision insurance, life/AD&D insurance, STD/LTD, FSA, 403B & More! (Some of these benefits are 100% employer paid!)
Paid Vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Professional Development Opportunities*
Company sponsored events and conferences*

*Terms & Conditions Apply

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a national association of social work education programs that ensures and enhances the quality of social work education for professional practice and promotes individual, family, and community well-being, and social and economic justice. CSWE pursues this mission by setting and maintaining national accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master's degree programs in social work, by promoting faculty development, and by advocating for social work education and research.

The Council on Social Work Education is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of excellence. Candidates who contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in this area.

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Department of Social Work Accreditation (DOSWA) administers the Board of Accreditation (BOA)'s accreditation of social work education programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels, and post-master's fellowship programs, within the United States and its territories. The primary function of the DOSWA is providing guidance on accreditation standards and processes by which both academic programs and fellowship programs are evaluated and recognized by peers. Accreditation also provides the public with vital information about the quality of programs available to social work students and practitioners.

The BOA is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation for social work practice and for ensuring that social work programs meet those standards. The DOSWA administers a multistep accreditation process that involves self-studies by programs, site visits, and BOA review of social work programs. The accreditation specialist provides and enhances services such as education, resources, and consultation to social work programs in the United States and its territories seeking candidacy or undergoing accreditation review. The incumbent facilitates BOA reviews of social work programs, assists BOA members with detailed understanding of the accreditation processes and procedures, and provides background and clarifying information about programs under BOA review. The position involves work with computer, database, and web applications to facilitate accreditation workflow management; writing reports and decision letters; and providing training for BOA members, programs, and accreditation volunteers. The accreditation specialist is an individual contributor role and includes opportunities for project management and volunteer leadership.

The Council on Social Work Education is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of excellence. Candidates who contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides and enhances services such as education, resources, and consultation regarding accreditation standards, policies, and procedures to candidate and accredited social work programs.
Provides accreditation consultation to programs on understanding, interpreting, and demonstrating compliance with the Educational Policy and Accredited Standards (EPAS), including mission & goals; formal curriculum; field education; the learning environment; anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and assessment of student learning and programmatic outcomes.
Provides individual and group accreditation consultations to program representatives via email, phone, video chat, and in-person at professional conferences.
Regularly collaborates with and provides expertise to volunteers, including site visitors and BOA members.
Collaborates with BOA on reviews of programs during and between BOA meetings.
Manages a BOA workgroup and facilitates small-group meetings.
Understands and applies accreditation policies, procedures, and decisions made by BOA.
Manages the distribution, collection, and archival of accreditation materials for BOA members, programs, and site visitors.
Reviews program materials for completeness and consistency with accreditation policies.
Compiles and formulates BOA decision letters and disseminates decisions to programs accurately within strict deadlines.
Manages projects to produce deliverables, toolkits, and resources that enhance the accreditation process.
Reviews and provides feedback on internal documents.
May serve as staff liaison to a CSWE governance group (i.e., commissions or councils) and/or participate in staff committees.
Interfaces with the public about social work as a career, educational requirements, and accreditation.
Maintains and applies knowledge of current and evolving issues, trends, and information related to social work education and accreditation.
Works competently with basic computer applications, all components of Microsoft Office 365, and database and Web applications for workflow management.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

Master's degree required, preferably in social work, education, or a related field
Accreditation experience, preferably in social work
Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of accreditation standards and processes
Computer proficiency, including demonstratable skill in advanced functions of applicable software applications such as Microsoft Office 365, and understanding of technology applications for workflow management, particularly database operations, learning management systems, project management platforms, and online accreditation management systems
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally and effectively within a team-based environment, as well as with all levels of staff and program administrators
Ability to handle a sizeable workload of programs and develop ethical relationships
Ability to deliver difficult news to constituents, such as adverse decisions
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to carry out various processes in accreditation of social work programs
Ability to provide training online and in-person to current and prospective programs and volunteers
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to exercise careful attention to detail
Ability to handle the details of multiple priorities simultaneously and adhere to strict deadlines
Ability to travel 4-6 times per year
Ability to work on evenings and weekends up to 8 times per year
Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion
Demonstrates skill in understanding of cultural differences

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

• Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written academic language)

• Experience with boards and/or volunteers

• Doctoral degree, preferably in social work

• Experience in a higher education setting

• Experience teaching in a social work program

• Experience developing social work curriculum related to competencies

• Experience with assessment of student-learning outcomes

• Problem-solving and innovative spirit to continuously engage in internal regulatory efforts and quality improvement

Additional Information

The office is located in Alexandria, Virginia. CSWE is a hybrid work environment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a cover letter and your resume or CV by clicking the "I'm Interested" button on the job posting.

To be qualified, an individual must have the requisite skills, experience, and education for the job and must also be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The Council on Social Work Education provides reasonable accommodations to applicants upon request. Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

COMPENSATION
• The salary range for this position is commensurate with experience.
• CSWE offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 403b retirement contributions, and more.
ADA SPECIFICATIONS
This position is primarily sedentary and is performed in an office setting. The physical demands of this position are limited to the ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and bend, stoop, and carry materials. Occasional travel within the United States and work on weekends may be necessary. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. CSWE is dedicated to building a culturally diverse staff committed to working in a pluralistic environment. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.