DIRECTOR, ALASKA CENTER FOR RESOURCE FAMILIES

We’re looking for an experienced leader to direct the Alaska Center for Resource Families, a 40-year-old child welfare program that supports Alaska’s foster, adoptive, and relative caregiver families.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established organization and lead a dedicated and talented team of professionals who make a real difference in communities around the state. Bring your vision, compassion, creativity, and can-do spirit, and join us!

ABOUT US

Alaska Center for Resource Families (ACRF) (www.acrf.org) helps families meet the needs of children and youth who are in foster care or who have been adopted. ACRF provides information, training, and support to "resource families”—prospective and current foster parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, and guardians. Funded by the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services and other community funders and donors, ACRF has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Mat-Su. It is a program of Northwest Resource Associates.

Northwest Resource Associates is a nonprofit child welfare agency. We envision every young person having family that nurtures their growth and potential. We work toward this vision by designing and delivering programs and technology that empower youth, strengthen families, and improve child welfare systems. More than four decades old, we are headquartered in Seattle, WA, and have offices in Alaska and Oregon as well. You can find our program work at the following websites:

• AdoptUSKids
• Alaska Center for Resource Families
• Northwest Adoption Exchange
• Oregon Post-adoption Resource Center

Equity and inclusion are priorities across all programs at Northwest Resource Associates. We are passionate about inclusive and affirming policy and practice and are recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s All Children, All Families program. We seek staff diversity in ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. In addition, we welcome applications from those with lived experience in foster care or with adoption. We are an equal opportunity employer.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Our ideal candidate will be a nonprofit or public-sector leader with experience in the field of foster care or adoption and particular expertise in one or more of the following areas: family recruitment, family support, training and education, and community partnership. We need someone who can:

• Lead collaboratively.
• Convene and partner with an array of stakeholders, from public agencies to community groups to individual families.
• Champion the ACRF program, its talented and dedicated staff, and the incredible families who step forward for Alaska’s youth.
• Understand, monitor, and support ACRF staff to deliver on contractual obligations.
• Manage a budget.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The director of ACRF will oversee all program activities and operations and the 13 staff who are responsible for recruiting and training resource families, working one-on-one to support families, implementing training programs, maintaining an online resource library, and hosting events with community partners. Responsibilities include:

• Set program direction in the areas of family recruitment, family support, and training.
• Supervise and lead Alaska Center for Resource Families team members while maintaining a team culture of kindness that supports staff, their work
• life balance, and their ability to creatively collaborate to serve families.
• Oversee contracts and ensure that compliance, data, and program activities align with equity principles and child welfare best practices.
• Maintain positive and collaborative relationships with external partners, including our close partners at the Alaska Office of Children’s Services.
• Manage program budget and spending strategically.
• Equitably recruit, hire, and train a talented team of dedicated professionals.
• Serve on the leadership team of Northwest Resource Associates and help guide policies and strategic direction, with particular attention given to racial equity.
• Model agency values and consistently work to make sure that all voices are heard.
• Lead fundraising, grant application, and reporting processes related to funding opportunities.
• Ensure collaboration with community partners and across our three Alaska offices.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least three years of experience leading a program or team in the nonprofit or public sector.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Professional or lived experience with the child welfare system, preferably in the areas of foster care, adoption, or relative care.
• Demonstrated experience setting program strategy and priorities.
• Experience working with programs that serve families.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Commitment to equity and agency values of collaboration, empathy, expertise, and continuous improvement.

BONUS SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience managing contracted and grant-based program work.
• Experience managing and developing fee-for-service and cost-based program budgets.
• Experience in training development, adult education, and/or digital media.
• Experience with grant applications, fundraising, and/or managing in-kind donations.

LOCATION, SALARY AND BENEFITS, HOW TO APPLY

LOCATION

The Alaska Center for Resource Families has offices in Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Fairbanks, and we are open to candidates in any of those areas. We expect this position to be primarily in-office with some travel required as well as some flexibility for a remote work schedule.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $82,000 to $92,000.

We offer flexible work schedules, 3.5 to 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, 15 to 16 paid, holidays per year, paid sick leave, a generous family leave policy, a retirement plan contribution, optional 403b plan, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and commuter benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a brief cover letter describing why you might be a fit for the position and your resume via our AirTable form: https://airtable.com/applwgNvMt9eSYJKl/pagxKTArv2cdsyeLI/form

We will accept applications until the position is filled. This position has an anticipated start date of February 2025.