Executive Director Of Accreditation

Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The process of social work Accreditation provides the public with vital information about the quality of programs available to social work students and practitioners. CSWE’s Board of Accreditation (BOA) is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation for social work practice and ensuring that social work programs meet them. The Department of Social Work Accreditation (DOSWA) oversees the BOA’s accreditation of social work programs and post-master’s fellowship programs in the United States and its territories. Providing guidance on accreditation standards and processes by which both academic programs and fellowship programs are evaluated and recognized by peers is the primary function of the DOSWA. In accordance with the requirements of CSWE’s recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the DOSWA administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies and benchmarks from social work programs, site visits, and BOA reviews.
The Executive Director of Accreditation provides leadership on accreditation matters in partnership with the BOA. The Executive Director is the official designee, representing the BOA, to the CSWE membership and other various stakeholders interested in accreditation. The Executive Director of Accreditation supports the BOA and oversees the daily accreditation operations of CSWE which includes the supervision of accreditation leadership staff, who oversee the process and implementation of accreditation reviews, candidacy applications and the implementation of BOA policies and procedures.
The Executive Director must be able to transcend the technical aspects of accreditation to provide the leadership required to position CSWE and the BOA to external constituents. The Executive Director works closely with CSWE staff and must be highly effective in working across social work education and with external stakeholders providing leadership and participating in cross-functional teams.
The Council on Social Work Education is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and 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
Provide leadership to DOSWA and oversight of the Board of Accreditation (BOA) and committees.
Provide oversight of DOSWA leadership staff in creating and implementing the activities of CSWE accreditation, including accreditation services and operations.
Monitor accreditation trends and develop or implement solutions, as appropriate.
Administer multistep accreditation process in accordance with CSWE’s recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Provide leadership and mentorship of accreditation staff to ensure transactions and interactions with social work programs and faculty are highly accurate, timely, responsive, efficient, customer friendly and cost effective.
Foster innovation in efforts to continuously improve the accreditation process.
Continually evaluate key operational processes to facilitate accreditation-related workflow, improve productivity and maintain high standards of quality control in collaboration with the CSWE research office.
Execute accreditation projects and activities within CSWE’s strategic plan, on time and within budget.
Monitor the accreditation budget and participate in annual budget development processes.
Provide communications to CSWE membership including BOA announcements, preparing reports for committees, CSWE Board and the President and CEO as requested. Handle inquiries from the committees, Board and President and CEO as related to job responsibilities.
Maintain effective communications with other CSWE staff.
Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to inform CSWE policies and procedures.
Be an ambassador for CSWE.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Interact with and represent CSWE among external organizations that impact accreditation activities (e.G., USDE, CHEA, ASPA).
Conduct special projects (e.G., research and written reports) in collaboration with the BOA and staff, as appropriate.
Promote social work accreditation through publications and presentations, as appropriate.
Assume other assignments at the direction of the President and CEO.