Position Description: CPC Youth Safeguarding Officer
Position Title: Youth Safeguarding Officer Reports To: Scout Executive& CEO
SUMMARY
The Youth Safeguarding Officer will lead the Cascade Pacific Council for effective child abuse prevention strategies and serve as the expert regarding all aspects of the organization's youth protection programs and initiatives. They'll provide expertise and leadership to Local Council professionals, Task Forces, Community Partners, and the CPC Executive Board. This position is an active, boots-on-the-ground role that results in actions and tangible outcomes that better the CPC's youth protection program.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and Manage Youth Protection Strategy and Safety Culture Implementation- Responsible for developing and implementing Scouting America's youth protection strategic plan
- Evaluates Scouting America's standards and measures that define effective child safety practices, including the identification of vulnerabilities and risk mitigation strategies at all levels
- Leads the efforts to ensure Scouting America's youth protection and safety standards are clearly communicated to local Scouting America staff, Chartered Organizations, volunteers, programs, and camp operations affiliated with the Scouting America
- Establish a system in which Scouting America's youth protection standards and safety practices are communicated and supported through policies, programs, training, and initiatives so that local scout programs, including all camp operations affiliated with the Scouting America, can implement, and sustain compliance with the standards
2. Oversee Incident Review and Compliance
- Review and analyze data from the enterprise incident reporting software through a collaborative team approach and devise/implement risk minimization strategies
- Effectively communicate the status of the CPC's youth protection incidents and the on-going steps being taken to improve upon the CPC's youth protection safety record
- Incentivize incident and near-miss reporting through all levels of the Cascade Pacific Council
- Coordinate engagement of outside youth protection experts to assist in regular reviews of CPC's youth protection program to ensure compliance with existing standards and ensure CPC's standards continue to meet or exceed all legal and industry standards
3. Provide Internal and External Expertise and Leadership
- Act as the expert leader and representative, internally and externally, on youth protection for the CPC
- Manage youth protection communication and materials in collaboration with existing Youth Development and Marketing/Communications teams
- Serve as the Staff Advisor to the Standards of Membership Committee
- Actively develop relationships and partnerships with other regional child sexual abuse prevention networks and child welfare agencies
- Lead the build-out of a framework that provides a safe environment for participants. This will encompass building out policies and standards that promote safe participation.
- Participate in senior leadership team policy decisions, legal matters, internal training programs, quality control, and other issues, as needed
- Foster relationships with external organizations concerning policies and procedures
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Work with CPC board leadership, Senior Management team, and other key stakeholders to develop a Safety Culture inclusive of child abuse prevention, accident prevention, mental health intervention, and creating safe environments
- Work with Scouting America colleagues and outside experts to assess youth protection and other safety risks in the implantation of Scouting America specific programming, including swimming and boating, target and range sports, outdoor skills education, camping, community service, and leadership dynamics. Provides incident analysis and implements appropriate changes in policies, training, and programs through collaborative teamwork with local and National Operational partners
- Educate, motivate, and influence all areas of the organization to improve youth protection practices and instill a desire to own all manner of safety practices by everyone in the CPC. Work collaboratively with the training team to develop and deliver continuing education for staff and volunteers on child abuse risk management
COMPETENCIES
Knowledge
o Industry standards, practices, and training in Youth Protection and accident prevention
o Local laws pertaining to child abuse prevention. Relevant legislation and regulation
o Youth development and impact of child abuse
o Child Protective Services & related agencies
o OSHA and other regulatory safe environment bodies
o Experience developing, and implementing training/education programs and evaluating/improving educational processes
Skills
o Demonstrated team player with results-based implementation skills
o Politically savvy with the ability to manage conflict constructively as well as ability to build effective partnerships internally and externally
o Must demonstrate empathy but be able to make tough decisions under tight timelines in emotional circumstances
o Strong verbal & written communication
o Significant experience conducting risk assessments within multiple categories of risks (i.e. operational, strategic, external, and outsourcing)
Abilities
o Earning trust, handling confidential information, getting things done with limited resources
o Working with diverse groups, including survivors of abuse
o Action-oriented yet flexible. Ability to think on the fly, utilizing a deep and thorough knowledge of the field of youth protection and Scouting America safety standards, policies, and procedures
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or master's degree preferred, in Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Family & Child Development, or related field.
- Six years+ in related human services field with youth protection responsibilities or extensive work related to child sexual abuse, family services, or law enforcement.
SALARY AND BENEFIT INFORMATION
$78,000-$104,000 per year for this senior-level advisory position with a competitive benefits package including major medical insurance, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, a matching 403(b) retirement plan, and reimbursement for authorized and approved business expenses. We also offer a generous vacation policy, volunteer time off, and holiday observances.
To apply, please send a cover letter outlining your background and specific experience along with a resume or CV to hiring manager, Gary Carroll ...@scouting.org. This is a highly competitive position and only individuals selected to interview will be contacted. The selection process will be ongoing until the position is filled.