About this opportunity
NorthWest Arkansas Community College lists this Director of Child Advocacy Studies opportunity in benton, Arkansas. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers. NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.
The Director of Child Advocacy Studies provides leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for Child Advocacy Studies instruction, workforce training initiatives, and related activities of the Melba Shewmaker National Child Protection Training Center. The position is responsible for program administration, curriculum coordination, assessment, budgeting, grant management, workforce development, student support, and partnership cultivation to ensure program quality, sustainability, and growth. The director serves as the primary liaison with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and workforce partners and may teach up to six credit hours per semester based on program needs and qualifications.
Essential Duties
Provide leadership for the planning, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of Child Advocacy Studies programs, certificates, workforce training initiatives, and grant-funded projects
Manage program operations, including scheduling, enrollment management, recruitment, student support services, assessment activities, financial performance, and required reporting
Develop and implement strategic initiatives that support program effectiveness, sustainability, growth, and alignment with institutional priorities
Coordinate curriculum development, review, and integration of Child Advocacy Studies courses, certificates, and academic pathways
Direct program review, accreditation, assessment, continuous improvement efforts, and compliance with institutional, state, federal, and grant requirements
Develop, administer, and monitor program and grant budgets; identify funding opportunities; and ensure responsible stewardship of resources
Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, schools, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development entities
Lead workforce and professional education initiatives through the Melba Shewmaker National Child Protection Training Center and identify emerging workforce development needs
Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate, and mentor assigned staff and adjunct faculty while fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment
Teach assigned coursework, advise and support students, represent the College in professional and community settings, participate in institutional service activities, and perform other duties as assigned
Rate of Pay
$65,061 annualized *Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position
Completed applications received by 10/15/2026 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in social work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, Public Administration, Human Services, or a closely related field
A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in child advocacy, child protection, social services, criminal justice, mental health, workforce development, higher education administration, or a related field
Candidates with a bachelor's degree and extensive documented experience directly related to the responsibilities of the position may also be considered
Preferred Qualifications
Doctoral degree in Social Work, Law, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, Public Administration, or a related discipline
Experience managing grants, budgets, workforce education programs, or externally funded initiatives
Experience with higher education program leadership, accreditation, assessment, and curriculum development
Experience developing partnerships with educational institutions, child advocacy centers, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations
Supervisory and personnel management experience
Demonstrated leadership or recognized expertise in child advocacy, child protection, forensic interviewing, social work, or a related field
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of child advocacy, child protection, social services, human services, criminal justice, education, mental health, or related disciplines
Knowledge of higher education administration, curriculum development, accreditation standards, assessment practices, and institutional effectiveness
Knowledge of workforce development, professional education, and community engagement principles
Knowledge of grant administration, budgeting, fiscal accountability, and compliance requirements
Knowledge of student success strategies, recruitment, retention, and advising practices
Skill in strategic planning, program development, and organizational leadership
Skill in budget management, grant oversight, and resource allocation
Skill in supervising, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating employees and adjunct faculty
Skill in project management, data analysis, assessment, and continuous improvement processes
Skill in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders
Skill in preparing reports, presentations, grant applications, and regulatory documentation
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to provide effective leadership and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with community, educational, governmental, and workforce partners
Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, accreditation standards, and grant requirements
Ability to analyze data, evaluate outcomes, and implement improvement strategies
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders
Ability to support student recruitment, advising, retention, completion, and workforce placement efforts
Ability to teach assigned coursework and facilitate student learning using approved instructional methods
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently
Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
Sitting
Standing
Walking
Constantly
Hearing
Repetitive motion
Talking
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.
Environmental Conditions
The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.
NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.
NWACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution, and welcomes applications without regard to age, race, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training that can lead to careers in business, computer science, art, communications, culinary, nursing, construction and more. NWACC faculty and staff are committed to the success of our students and helping them develop intellectually, personally and interpersonally. NWACC professors are exceptional scholars who mentor traditional and nontraditional students within a campus and online environment that values and encourages diverse perspectives and ideas. Northwest Arkansas is one of the most economically stable regions in the nation and serves as the base of operations for Walmart, Tyson Foods Inc., and J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Their close proximity to the college offers opportunities for internships, career training and post‑graduation employment, as well as access to world‑class art, culture and entertainment. Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains also offer wonderful outdoor experiences and hiking trails within a short drive of the college. With its strong economy, beautiful surroundings and high‑end amenities, Northwest Arkansas is also often ranked by publications as one of the nation's best places to live. With its steady growth in population, it's on track to soon become one of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. Such growth has increased cultural diversity, as well as opportunities to support various cultural events, cuisine, businesses and services.
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Worksite address
benton, AR, 72158, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.