PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Senior Policy Associate: Workforce Planning and Development
Division:
Muskie School of Public Service
Department: Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy
Location:
Augusta
Schedule:
Full-time Flexible
Reports to:
Director of Strategic Development
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STATEMENT OF THE JOB: The grant-funded Senior Policy Associate is responsible for developing and
leading major project work related to organizational and performance improvement in health and
human service systems, with a focus on workforce planning and development. The Senior Policy
Associate is responsible for developing and managing a significant body of information and skills related
to emergent and current practices in workforce planning, workforce development, organizational
change and the implementation of systems reform. The Senior Policy Associate researches effective
organizational strategies for effecting, controlling and adapting to organizational change with emphasis
on the workforce implications of policy and practice reforms. S/he leads in the design of professional
development programs based on the latest research in training, adult learning, learning technology and
instructional design for classroom, online and blended learning.
The Senior Policy Associate has significant project management and quality assurance responsibilities
and serves as the principal contact with other investigators, federal, state and local policymakers, and
funding agencies and organizations. S/he also participates in state and national associations and
conferences and is responsible for publishing and otherwise broadly disseminating products and other
contributions resulting from the Institute’s work.
The Senior Policy Associate seeks funding for Institute initiatives, acts as principal investigator/project
director of these projects, and assures the quality and integrity of work conducted by project staff and
subcontractors. The Senior Policy Associate prepares project designs, work plans, products and reports,
and disseminates project products and results through presentations, articles and/or other means. The
Senior Policy Associate participates in Cutler Institute strategic planning and organizational development
activities, initiates strategic partnerships with other organizations, and provides consultation across
Cutler programs in areas of expertise.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Proposal Development: Identifies and conceptualizes project topics and opportunities that advance
the Institute’s goals; seeks and identifies funding opportunities to support Institute’s goals; directs
proposal development process in response to Requests for Proposals or funder inquiries; writes
proposals; negotiates with funders and collaborators on required revisions to proposals. Defines and
negotiates scope of work and cost of service with funders and partner agencies for incorporation into
a training or technical assistance agreement.
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Project Design/Implementation: Consults with organizational leaders to identify organizational
and/or workforce development needs, analyze gaps, and offer potential solutions. Provides research
and technical assistance on best practices in recruiting, selecting, retaining a skilled workforce.
Designs workforce development and technical assistance plans, along with timelines, resource needs,
proposed outcomes and performance measures. Leads project team in project implementation.
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Product Development: Manages and participates in product development, including as appropriate
curriculum design and development, policy briefs, working papers, project findings, and interim and
final reports. Works with subject matter experts in various health and human services fields to
develop curriculum and other capacity building materials using a variety of media, including the
development of curricula and instructional designs for effective classroom, online and blended
learning.
Project Management: Acts as project director on large and complex projects; supervises and
coordinates day-today project activity; hires, directs and evaluates staff; manages budget; establishes
quality standards; assures that project deliverables meet quality standards and are completed on
time; maintains project data and manages periodic status reviews. Works with program evaluators
to establish evaluation plans and reporting requirements.
Product Dissemination: Develops and implements dissemination strategies for project products.
Cultivates external relationships and markets Cutler products to state, regional and national
audiences. Develops and delivers professional papers.
Internal and External Consulting: Seeks continuous growth and education to stay current with
advances in the field; serves as an internal consultant to other Cutler programs and program areas on
topics of organizational development, workforce planning and workforce development and training.
Provides technical assistance to community agencies upon request.
SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Authority to commit financial resources of $25,000 or more as provided in the campus Signature
Authority matrix and/or MaineStreet Marketplace.
Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid driver’s license,
and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance.
Work on federally funded projects.
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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary supervisory responsibilities for three staff, but possibly up to
6 professional staff or hourly employees. This includes but is not limited to providing orientation and
support, conducting performance evaluations, approving annual leave, and authority to discipline and
assign work, and supporting professional development.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES: Manages large project budgets with periodic review by the Associate
Director for Administration, Cutler Grants and Contracts Service Center. Plans new budgets.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE: Manages the public service
responsibilities associated with various projects by disseminating news and project results, by making
presentations at state and national conferences and in other forums; through association newsletters,
and in professional journals and other publications. Responsible for establishing and maintaining
relations with local, state and national researchers, policymakers and consumers.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
Internal: As one of the Institute’s senior staff, the Senior Policy Associate maintains contact
with other USM colleagues and the Muskie School faculty as needed and staffs special
committees for the Cutler Institute as assigned. This may include preparing materials for
consideration by the IMT, interfacing with other parts of the School and University and
conducting educational programs for staff.
External: Responsible for developing and managing external, national contacts with other
investigators and funding agencies, particularly in a way that extends both the work and
reputation of the Institute. Establishes and maintains on-going relationships with local, state
and national researchers, workforce development directors, policy makers, consumers, other
research institutes and policy/technical assistance consortia.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
 Demonstrated understanding of the key elements in staff recruitment, selection, and retention.
 Strong analytic skills, including conducting literature reviews and providing review and synthesis
of effective practices in other fields, states or organizations.
 Demonstrated ability to work with diverse and cross-system groups participating in policy and
practice research and technical assistance activities, including national, state and local
government officials.
 Demonstrated experience in staff management, supervision and support.
 Demonstrated ability to work with other staff members and associates to analyze funding
opportunities, to promote Institute work and reputation, and to otherwise apply the skills and
capacity of the Cutler Institute to emerging policy issues and challenges.
 Demonstrated understanding of the health and human services delivery system.
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QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
 Doctorate and 3 years of social science, organizational development or workforce planning
experience, or Master’s or other advanced degree and 8 years of experience in the health
and human services field, including workforce development and project management, in
academic, government or related settings.
 Demonstrated experience in developing comprehensive training and professional
development programs, plans and products, including experience in instructional design,
curriculum development, application of adult learning principles and the use of current and
emerging learning technologies.
 Demonstrated understanding of organizational development and change management
theories and strategies.
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Demonstrated experience in managing large projects with multiple deliverables and
involving multiple staff or work teams.
 Demonstrated experience in staff management, support and supervision.
License:
 Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid, clean,
driver’s license, and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance.
Preferred:
 Ability to work with diverse and cross-system groups participating in policy and practice
research and technical assistance activities, including national, state and local government
officials.
 Understanding of the health and human services delivery system.
*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities
as listed above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening
completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit
history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification
verification.
For Human Resources Use
Date Approved:
Date Revised:
Job Family:
Salary Band:
Unit:
CUPA code:
Employee:
Position #:
5/2015
11
106
UMPSA
470445
TBD
00013574