JOB SUMMARY

Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work invites applications for a full-time (11-month appointment) non-tenure-track Assistant Extension Professor position. The UConn School of Social Work seeks highly motivated and productive individuals who are committed to service, outreach, education, and research.

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work (SSW) is a national leader in graduate social work education with a tradition of educating and serving diverse communities. Ranked no. 28 in Best Graduate Schools for Social Work by U.S. News & World Report, UConn SSW is among the top 9% nationwide and no. 1 in Connecticut. Innovations Institute is an interdisciplinary, translational research center that is housed within the SSW. Innovations Institute is a leader in building effective public-serving systems to improve the well-being of and ensure vibrant futures for children, youth, their families, and communities. Innovations’ programs touch nearly every state and territory in the country and, through online and in-person training, Innovations has trained over 80,000 practitioners in child welfare, children’s behavioral health, and other child- and family-serving systems. The impact of this work is improved quality and effectiveness of public-serving systems that are responsive to the unique needs of young people and their families.

Positions with Innovations Institute are fully remote with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus twice annually. This appointment does not lead to permanent academic tenure and must be renewed.

The selected candidates will apply knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills across multiple projects or initiatives within the Innovations Institute. Projects will include partnerships with federal, state, and/or local government agencies to advance sustainable financing and develop integrated, customized policy approaches that strengthen public child- and family-serving systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical assistance and consultation on system design, service array, managed care, financing, youth and family partnership, and implementation and quality improvement to government agencies, private organizations, grantees, and/or internal and external stakeholders related to children’s behavioral health and public child- and family-serving systems.
• Apply expert knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills to internal and external convenings, learning opportunities, technical assistance, consultation, publications and documents, and presentations and dissemination opportunities.
• May serve as an independent reviewer or similar expert consultant related to the implementation of agreements from litigation associated with public child- and family-serving systems, including related to consent decrees, settlement agreements, and other litigation addressing complaints associated with children’s behavioral health and provisions under Olmstead and Medicaid, including Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT).
• Demonstrate and maintain strong professional competence in the field of public child- and family-serving systems, children’s behavioral health, and related systems and financing structures.
• Contribute to the development of tools, frameworks, and guidance documents that support sustainable and scalable improvements in public child- and family-serving systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or terminal degree in social work or a related discipline.
• Experience as an executive leader/administrator in state public children’s behavioral health systems or services.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of system design, service array (including mobile response and stabilization, intensive in-home services, peer support, and intensive care coordination), managed care, financing, youth and family partnership, and implementation and quality improvement, including within and across Medicaid, managed care, quality review processes, and structures of public child- and family-serving systems.
• Experience providing technical assistance or consultation to federal, state, and/or local government organizations and private agencies related to public child- and family-serving systems, children’s behavioral health, and implementation of agreements from litigation.
• Experience designing and implementing in-person and online training and learning opportunities, including learning communities, graduate courses, stakeholder training, or continuing education.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, supervise teams or consultants, and meet deliverable deadlines in partnership with government and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship, including authoring or co-authoring high-quality reports, toolkits, and briefs related to public child- and family-serving systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to the system of care and social work values, including experience partnering with family-run and/or youth-run organizations and individuals with lived experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in social work or related field.
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, and/or doctoral levels in-person or online in children’s behavioral health and services and/or leadership.
• Experience developing courses for undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students.
• Experience designing, implementing, and/or evaluating in-home and community-based services for children with intensive behavioral health needs and their families.
• Experience providing consultation or technical assistance to multiple states, tribes, or territories on public children’s behavioral health systems and services.
• Experience contributing to or monitoring implementation plans related to consent decrees, settlement agreements, or similar litigation.
• Experience writing peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Experience writing or contributing to medical necessity criteria, service descriptions, provider qualifications, State Plan Amendments/waivers, and/or regulations related to public children’s behavioral health systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts, including public speaking.
• Experience participating in the design of conferences and training opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively attend to various duties and projects simultaneously.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is an 11-month, non-tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of January 9, 2026. Initial salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Positions with Innovations Institute are fully remote, with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus twice annually.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to UConn Jobs at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499290, and submit the following application materials:

• Current curriculum vitae.
• Cover letter that comments on the relevant minimum and preferred qualifications.
• Writing sample that demonstrates the expertise of the applicant
• Representative samples of up to three (3) publications (at least one peer-reviewed).
• Names and contact information of three (3) references.

Applicants can address questions by email to:

Deborah Harburger
Search Committee Chair
University of Connecticut
School of Social Work
38 Prospect Street
Hartford, CT  06103 
innovationssearch@uconn.edu  - Please include the job title in the subject line.

References will not be contacted without the prior permission of the candidate. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the School of Social Work, please visit our website at socialwork.uconn.edu. For more information about Innovations Institute, please visit our website at https://innovations.socialwork.uconn.edu/.

Finalists for the position will be required to provide a virtual job talk (as well as additional writing samples/assignments).

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

This job posting is open until filled. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.