PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
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Senior Policy Associate: Organizational and Staff Development
Muskie School of Public Service
Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy
Augusta
Full-time Flexible
Capital Center Director
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STATEMENT OF THE JOB
The 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 child
welfare and behavioral health. The Senior Policy Associate is responsible for developing and managing a
significant body of work related to emergent and current practices in staff development, organizational
change and the implementation of systems reform. The Senior Policy Associate researches effective
organizational strategies for effecting organizational change with emphasis on the workforce implications
of policy and practice reforms. S/he leads the design of staff 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 disseminating products and other contributions resulting from the Institute’s work.
The Senior Policy Associate plays a leadership role in seeking 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: Works with Institute leadership to Identify and conceptualizes project topics
and opportunities that advance the Institute’s strategic direction; 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 with a focus
on the child welfare field. Designs staff development and technical assistance plans, along with
timelines, resource needs, proposed outcomes and performance measures. Develops initiatives to
bring evidence based and innovative programs to federal, state and local organizations to respond to
identified policy issues and organizational needs. 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, reports and presentations.
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 staff development and training.
Provides technical assistance to community agencies upon request.
SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Eliminate any that don’t apply)
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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:
Manage 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 faculty 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. Actively
participates in Institute workgroups to support strategic outcomes in order to contribute to the
effective functioning of the organization.
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:
1. Demonstrated understanding of the key elements in staff recruitment, selection, and retention
2. Strong analytic skills, including conducting literature reviews and providing review and synthesis of
effective practices in other fields, states or organizations.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated experience in staff management, supervision and support.
5. 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.
6. Demonstrated understanding of the child welfare and human services delivery system.
7. Demonstrated ability to write successful proposals and develop projects.
8. Record of publications and/or presentations at state, regional and national level.
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QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
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Doctorate and 3 years of social science, organizational development or workforce planning
experience, or Masters in social work or related field and 8 years of experience in health and
human services, including staff 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.
Demonstrated experience in the field of child welfare.
Demonstrated experience in managing large projects with multiple deliverables and involving
multiple staff or work teams
For Human Resources Use
Date Approved:
Date Revised:
Job Family:
Salary Band:
Unit:
CUPA code:
Employee:
Position #:
5/2015
10/2015
11
106
UMPSA
470445
TBD
00013574