Thank you for your interest in working for the Coalition! We are currently hiring for two positions. Please click on the tabs below to learn more about each position.
Director of Program Operations
Organizational Description
The Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families, Inc. (the Coalition) was founded in 1984 by parents concerned about children waiting for adoptive homes. We are a nonprofit organization serving all 72 counties of Wisconsin. A portion of our funding comes from the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, under the Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center project grant.
What is most unique about the Coalition is that it is specifically organized to provide neutral, compassionate, objective, and timely information and support for individuals and families throughout the journey of caring for children and youth touched by Wisconsin’s child welfare system and adoption.
The Coalition does not provide direct services such as licensing, home studies, or case management; a fact which has earned us the trust of families and allied service providers across the state of Wisconsin. Families and social workers know that, when concerns or grievances arise, the Coalition will give them a balanced answer and suggest possible solutions and resources.
Organizational Purpose (Our Why)
At the Coalition, we believe that every child deserves a Champion—someone who loves them and believes in them no matter what—and that, in order to be a strong, resilient Champion, parents need answers, resources, opportunities for connection, and support.
Position Summary
The Director of Program Operations is responsible for helping the CEO execute agency strategy by leading operational planning of programs and services, providing support and leadership to program staff and leadership team peers, and helping maintain a reputation of outstanding service to those directly impacted by the Coalition’s mission.
What Makes This a Great Opportunity
The ability to work in an organization that embraces a diversity of person, background, and thought while continually looking for ways to foster innovation.
In 2019, an expansion of our training program took place and the person hired for this position will play a key role in helping to support the evolution and performance as the project matures. Lastly, as we move into a new strategic planning phase, the person hired will have the opportunity to be actively engaged in the planning and execution processes.
Essential Responsibilities
- Ensure that all program services and activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of the Coalition
- Execute the annual program operations plan, achieving or exceeding contract objectives and established metrics
- Nurture a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity both internally and externally
- Supervise, coach, and provide ongoing support to agency Program Managers (2)
- Support recruitment, development, and retention activities for all agency program and program support staff
- Support agency innovation by creating execution plans aligned with the CEO’s vision and help instruct and develop objectives and deliverables in collaboration with Program Manager(s)
- Foster an environment of positive energy for external stakeholders and Coalition staff
- In collaboration with the CEO and other agency Directors, identify, propose, and support solutions and activities that help achieve annual goals and strategic plan objectives
- Monitor the quality of deliverables to achieve the best results from program team managers and their direct reports; ensure consistent results and lead with a continuous improvement lens
- Ability to provide guidance and coaching to staff during times of change and organizational transformation
- Ability to provide periodic program results presentations to Board of Directors and other identified stakeholders
- Facilitate, promote, and solicit regular and ongoing opportunities for all staff to give feedback on program operations
- Consistently demonstrate a passion for the organizational mission and purpose by helping to create and support alignment, focus, and clarity across the organization
Basic Qualifications
- Core understanding of human service program development, implementation, and evaluation
- A demonstrated execution mindset and record of holding self and others accountable
- Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems
- Demonstrated leadership ability and experience providing oversight to staff at a managerial/supervisory level
- Flexibility and adaptability, able to shift styles to fit the needs of a wide range of cultures, people, and organizations
- Ability to mediate, manage conflict, and perform successful negotiations to ensure strong internal and external relationships
- Excellent public relations skills with the ability to communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse individuals and groups
- Ability to work collaboratively with key funders building strong relationships to ensure grant and contract continuity
- Experience with and/or comparable understanding of out-of-home care, child welfare, and private and public adoption. Specific knowledge of Wisconsin’s system preferred.
- High comfort level with flexibility, urgency of work
- Strong writing skills
- PC proficiency, including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Desired Experience and Traits
- Strategically agile
- Exceptional listener and solution builder
- Ability to seek clarity, communicate expectations, and take initiative in an effort to meet or exceed expectations and timelines; attention to detail important
- Confidence builder—willingness to tolerate mistakes with a long-range view of building capacity to help staff and agency succeed
- Decisive personality—ability to set priorities and act accordingly
- Exceptional process manager–creates a path to desired outcomes including sequence, feedback points, and opportunities for improvement
- Understanding of and ability to support and maintain a healthy organizational culture and work environment
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
- Related certifications/license desired
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits based in our Milwaukee office. Due to the nature of our services, some in-state travel will be required from time to time. The position generally involves day time hours with an understanding and expectation that there are some evenings and weekend work requirements based on agency needs.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should:
- Fill out the form below.
- Upload a resume.
- Upload a separate document outlining full and complete answers to the following questions:
- What interests you about this position and in pursuing employment with our organization?
- Based on the job posting, give examples of the skills and experience you believe you would bring to this position.
- Please provide the minimum salary requirements or range of salary you are looking for. (Please note when considering your answer to this question: the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is a small nonprofit of fewer than 20 employees.)
Training Coordinator
Organizational Description
The Coalition for Children Youth and Families, Inc. (The Coalition) was founded in 1984 by parents concerned about children waiting for adoptive homes. We are a nonprofit organization serving all 72 counties of Wisconsin. A portion of our funding comes from the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, under the Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center project grant.
What is most unique about the Coalition is that it is specifically organized to provide neutral, compassionate, objective, and timely information and support for individuals and families throughout the journey of caring for children and youth touched by Wisconsin’s child welfare system and adoption.
Organizational Purpose (Our Why)
At the Coalition, we believe that every child deserves a Champion—someone who loves them and believes in them no matter what—and that, in order to be a strong, resilient Champion, parents need answers, resources, opportunities for connection, and support.
Position Summary
The Training Coordinator is responsible for developing and coordinating training opportunities to support foster and adoptive families. This position reports to the Program Manager for Training and works closely with another Training Coordinator in order to fully meet the needs of our various learners. Training at the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is provided through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to: online courses, webinars, in-person trainings, conferences, workshops, and seminars.
Essential Responsibilities
- Vetting and contracting with appropriate training professionals and providing appropriate preparation and support
- Development of online curriculum, webinars, and in-person training
- Coordination of conferences and workshops
- Outreach and promotion of all program services and resources with high emphasis on building training attendance and customer loyalty
- Writing of articles, tip sheets, and other writing projects with the intent of educating and supporting foster, relative, and adoptive families
- Answering phone calls and providing resources to support customers
- Consistently demonstrate a passion for the Coalition’s vision, purpose, and values
Basic Qualifications
- Two or more years of relevant training experience (Wisconsin preferred)
- Experience in providing training in live and web-based formats
- Comfort working with and troubleshooting for multiple forms of technology
- Ability to plan and manage multiple projects concurrently
- Demonstrated ability to work with people of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups
- Willingness to travel throughout Wisconsin
- Ability to work some nights and weekends
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding foster care and adoption
- Basic understanding of trauma-informed practices
Desired Experience and Traits
- Strong presentation skills
- Strong writing skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent customer engagement and response skills
- Resourceful out-of-the-box thinking to solve challenges and determine solutions
- Interpersonal skills–ability to work easily with a diverse groups of people
- Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with team members
- Understanding of and ability to participate in a healthy organizational culture and work environment
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Services, or related field required. Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, or related field desirable.
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits based in our Milwaukee office. Due to the nature of our services, some in-state travel will be required from time to time. The position generally involves day time hours with an understanding and expectation that there are some evenings and weekend work requirements based on agency needs.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should:
- Fill out the form below.
- Upload a resume.
- Upload a separate document outlining full and complete answers to the following questions:
- What interests you about this position and in pursuing employment with our organization?
- Based on the job posting, give examples of the skills and experience you believe you would bring to this position.
- Please provide the minimum salary requirements or range of salary you are looking for. (Please note when considering your answer to this question: the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is a small nonprofit of fewer than 20 employees.)
