Professional Advocacy Coordinator

Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

I. Major Functions

NASW Ohio is seeking applications for a 40-hour a week, two year-long position, to lead the professional advocacy work for the Chapter on increasing opportunities for paid internships for social work students; expanding paths to social work licensure by creating an alternative to passing the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) exam; and increasing social work salaries by targeting reimbursements rates and insurance policies. The position is for two years from August 1, 2024-August 1, 2026, as it is funded through a grant. The salary for the position is $65,000 per year plus health insurance, 401K match, and other benefits. NASWOH plans to apply for additional grant funds to continue the position but cannot guarantee sustained employment. This is an in-person job, the candidate must be able to travel to the NASW Ohio office in Worthington, primarily between the hours of 9am-5pm.

Works in partnership with NASW Ohio staff under the supervision of the Executive Director to do the following tasks:

II. Basic Duties and Responsibilities

• Paid Internship Advocacy
• Works over a two-year period to develop state funding for paid social work internships in health shortage areas.
• Work with state department stakeholders to understand and improve the Great Minds Fellowship, a program that currently provides funding for internships.
• Develop a written guide and meetings to assist agencies and universities in utilizing existing Great Minds Fellowship funds.
• Coordinate with legislators, lobbyists, and other advocacy organizations to coordinate budget efforts to create an ongoing line item for internship stipends.
• Build relationships with social work student organizations and existing Payment 4 Placement (P4P) chapters to facilitate meetings and provide technical support to assist in the development of Ohio P4P chapters.
• Produce a written report and training for organizations that employ social workers on how to obtain funding for student internships, including billing for social work trainees (SWTs), by working with stakeholders who can provide best practices.
• Identify and work with an Ohio faculty member to develop a plan to study the impact of unpaid internships in social work in Ohio.
• Creating Other Options for the Social Work Licensure Exam
• Create and manage an advisory committee of stakeholders impacted by the ASWB social work licensure exams to conduct an analysis of other states’ alternatives to the exam, produce status reports for stakeholders, and delegate tasks to advance culture change around exam alternatives across the state.
• With the advisory committee, write language for an alternative to the exam that will then be disseminated to stakeholders across the state to prepare for introduction in the Ohio General Assembly.
• Work with stakeholders to build understanding and support for creating another option to the social work licensure exams including social workers, NASW members, state-level officials (Governor, OMHAS, CSWMFT board) and Ohio legislators.
• Increasing Insurance Reimbursement Rates
• Organize behavioral health practitioners and offer quarterly training to engage in advocacy for increased insurance reimbursement rates.
• Represent NASWOH on mental health advocacy, mental health workforce, and insurance advocacy coalitions.
• Lead efforts for NASWOH to advocate with the Ohio legislature and Ohio executive branch departments to raise awareness on the impact of low insurance reimbursement rates, participate in collective advocacy asks during budget cycles, and disseminate advocacy information to NASWOH stakeholders about how to participate in action.
• Other Duties
• Assist NASWOH staff with events by providing day-of support (November conference, March Advocacy Day, March Gala.)
• Answer emails and phone calls from stakeholders, social workers, and NASW members on topics related to internships, licensure, and insurance reimbursement.

III. Working Relationships

• Internal: Interacts with Chapter staff, volunteers, members, Chapter Board, and National office staff.
• External: Ohio General Assembly, Governor, state departments/boards (Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board), partner organizations (other associations, coalitions, consumer organizations)

IV. Minimum Work Requirements

• A degree in social work (BSW, MSW, DSW, Ph.D), licensure preferred but not required.
• One (1) year of prior experience in social work, also experience with office and administrative work preferred.
• Passionate about advancing the profession of social work and making changes that impact marginalized populations.
• General knowledge office policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to quickly learn a variety of platforms including MailJet, Microsoft Office Products, and Google Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and maintain effective work relationships

IV. ATTRIBUTES

• Value aligned: Adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics and can apply an anti-oppressive, anti-racist lens to the work of NASW and social work.
• Team oriented: Strives to be an equal part of the NASW Ohio staff to envision the future of social work and NASW while also completing tasks to assist in the small team’s operation.
• Strong business acumen: Sees opportunities and emerging trends, and is knowledgeable about the operations, unique needs, and goals specific to member-driven, not-for-profit organizations—while still centering the social justice foundation of social work.
• Emotionally intelligent and cultural humility: Ability to work with a wide range of staff, colleagues, and members, requiring a firm, fair, and flexible style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others.
• Accountability: This individual is open to feedback and works to better themselves in their interactions with other staff, members, and stakeholders.
• Organizational agility: thoughtful, respectful communication style that fosters an open environment, enabling thought-provoking discussions and collaborative decision making.
• Perceptive: creative and intuitively recognizes opportunities and takes appropriate action.

The position is eligible for benefits including: Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave, Health Savings Account, 401(k) Retirement Plan and more.

NASW is an equal opportunity employer.  As such, NASW is committed to promoting and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees.  The selection of personnel, including new hires and promotions, will be on the basis of qualifications designed to ensure appointments of persons able to effectively discharge the duties and responsibilities of their position.  The Association will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  The Association will also abide by applicable Affirmative Action requirements mandated by any federal contracts.