Accreditation Specialist

Job Description
 
POSITION SUMMARY
The Department of Social Work Accreditation (DOSWA) administers the Board of Accreditation (BOA)’s accreditation of social work education programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels, and post-master’s fellowship programs, within the United States and its territories. The primary function of the DOSWA is providing guidance on accreditation standards and processes by which both academic programs and fellowship programs are evaluated and recognized by peers. Accreditation also provides the public with vital information about the quality of programs available to social work students and practitioners.
The BOA is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation for social work practice and for ensuring that social work programs meet those standards. The DOSWA administers a multistep accreditation process that involves self-studies by programs, site visits, and BOA review of social work programs. The accreditation specialist provides and enhances services such as education, resources, and consultation to social work programs in the United States and its territories seeking candidacy or undergoing accreditation review. The incumbent facilitates BOA reviews of social work programs, assists BOA members with detailed understanding of the accreditation processes and procedures, and provides background and clarifying information about programs under BOA review. The position involves work with computer, database, and web applications to facilitate accreditation workflow management; writing reports and decision letters; and providing training for BOA members, programs, and accreditation volunteers. The accreditation specialist is an individual contributor role and includes opportunities for project management and volunteer leadership.
The Council on Social Work Education is committed to creating an accessible, 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
Provides and enhances services such as education, resources, and consultation regarding accreditation standards, policies, and procedures to candidate and accredited social work programs.
Provides accreditation consultation to programs on understanding, interpreting, and demonstrating compliance with the Educational Policy and Accredited Standards (EPAS), including mission & goals; formal curriculum; field education; the learning environment; anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and assessment of student learning and programmatic outcomes.
Provides individual and group accreditation consultations to program representatives via email, phone, video chat, and in-person at professional conferences.
 Regularly collaborates with and provides expertise to volunteers, including site visitors and BOA members.
Collaborates with BOA on reviews of programs during and between BOA meetings.
Manages a BOA workgroup and facilitates small-group meetings.
Understands and applies accreditation policies, procedures, and decisions made by BOA.
Manages the distribution, collection, and archival of accreditation materials for BOA members, programs, and site visitors.
Reviews program materials for completeness and consistency with accreditation policies.
Compiles and formulates BOA decision letters and disseminates decisions to programs accurately within strict deadlines.
 Manages projects to produce deliverables, toolkits, and resources that enhance the accreditation process.
 Reviews and provides feedback on internal documents.
 May serve as staff liaison to a CSWE governance group (i.e., commissions or councils) and/or participate in staff committees.
Interfaces with the public about social work as a career, educational requirements, and accreditation.
Maintains and applies knowledge of current and evolving issues, trends, and information related to social work education and accreditation.
Works competently with basic computer applications, all components of Microsoft Office 365, and database and Web applications for workflow management.
Other duties as assigned.