Policy Associate I

The University of Southern Maine’s Cutler Institute is seeking a Policy Associate I – Child Welfare.

This position brings training and child welfare experience to the delivery of the Resource Family Introductory Training (RFIT). RFIT is the curriculum the State of Maine requires to be delivered and completed by new resource parents as part of the state licensing requirements. Through knowledgeable and skillful training development and delivery, participants will gain a better understanding of the importance of working with children and their families, the Office of Child and Family Service professionals, within the child welfare system. In addition to training delivery and group facilitation, this position engages in program assessment, evaluation, project planning, oversight, and implementation for existing and future initiatives.

The Cutler Institute seeks to inform policy development and practice in civil, criminal, and social justice systems in Maine and nationally. Our applied research, training, and technical assistance builds capacity and improves community health and public safety. Staff bring their experience in research methods, program assessment and evaluation, and policy development to areas such as child welfare and family well-being.

This is a grant funded full-time position with a starting annual salary up to $52,000 commensurate with experience.

For a complete job description, click here.

The University of Southern Maine is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. It embraces an inclusive campus community that values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. Our Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact supports the University of Southern Maine’s DEIA and Community Impact focused departments, committees, groups, projects, training, and events. USM encourages women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to apply.

We live our USM Service Promise: Student Focused Every Day. We are looking for a team member who understands that promise and supports our values: Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity and Responsiveness.

The University of Southern Maine provides a highly competitive benefits package that includes holidays, vacation and sick time; health, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; a tuition waiver program for employee and eligible dependents; a 403(b) retirement plan; and more.

• Master's degree and three years of relevant professional experience; or Bachelor's degree and five years’ experience
• Experience working with training design and delivery.
• Project management experience.
• Experience in managing components of projects and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to meet deadlines.

You will create an applicant profile and complete an application and upload a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae. Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.

We will examine candidate packages on an ongoing basis as they are submitted.

All application materials must be received by February 27, 2024.

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

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds 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, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5748 Boudreau Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).