Chief Program Officer

The California Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association , is part of a national volunteer movement supporting the needs and well-being of children and youth in the dependency and juvenile justice systems of the Superior Court. CASA is one of the largest volunteer opportunities in the country, with more than 900 individual CASA programs nationwide in 49 states. CA CASA has a staff of 14 and a 20-member Board of Directors who represent all areas of the state. 60,000 children and youth in CA’s dependency and juvenile justice system. CA CASA’s ambitious long-term strategic goal is that one day, every CA child who needs a CASA volunteer will have one.

OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the full-time Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key executive leader responsible for implementing statewide program strategy as well as network leadership, organizational effectiveness, and quality assurance efforts that strengthen CA CASA’s network of 44 local CASA programs . These programs, which serve 53 of the state’s 58 counties, are providing transformative advocacy and support for children and youth in California’s dependency and juvenile justice systems.

CPO integrates CA CASA’s statewide program initiatives, peer learning, quality assurance and improvement, data collection and analysis, and public policy functions into a cohesive strategy that strengthens local CASA programs, expands their organizational capacities, and advances systems that improve outcomes for children and youth. They oversee a range of statewide initiatives including capacity-building, training systems, data and outcomes strategy, DEI, quality and accreditation support, leadership development, statewide grantmaking, technical assistance, program site reviews, annual conferences, regional meetings, and cross-sector partnerships. CPO is accountable for ensuring strategy translates into measurable improvements across the network and supervise the Dir. of Policy & Legislative Affairs, ensuring a robust ongoing legislative advocacy in Sacramento to build long-term financial stability for the CASA network and CA CASA.

As a visible statewide leader, the CPO helps position CA CASA as a responsive and forward-thinking organization that identifies emerging opportunities and challenges impacting local CASA programs and the broader child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The CPO fosters innovation, alignment, and impact, and collaborates with the CA CASA Executive Leadership Team, the local program Executive Directors/CEOs, BOD, judges, state agencies, consultants, funders, and statewide/national partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy

• Reporting to the CEO, the CPO is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and helps to shape CA CASA’s strategy, priorities, and long-term sustainability, partnering closely with them on organizational planning, systems-change efforts, and statewide initiatives.
• Provides strategic counsel to the CEO and BOD regarding emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting the statewide CASA network.
• Leads and implements initiatives aligned with the mission, strategic plan, and funding priorities, and supports organizational effectiveness, change management, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Provides executive oversight for public policy, legislative affairs, and government relations strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, strategic plan, and statewide priorities.
• Oversees Policy & Legislative Affairs activities and integrates them with statewide program priorities, legislative advocacy, public policy, research, and systems change efforts into a unified organizational legislative strategy. Advises on the programmatic implications of proposed legislation, state budget investments, and public policy initiatives affecting the local CASA network.
• Represents CA CASA with state agencies, judicial leaders, philanthropic partners, statewide associations, and national organizations, and serve as an executive ambassador as assigned by the CEO.

Statewide Network Leadership & Capacity-Building

• Primary liaison/trusted advisor to the 44 local CASA programs, and builds collaborative relationships with Executive Directors/CEOs, BOD, judges, and statewide stakeholders. Supports local programs through organizational/leadership transitions, growth opportunities, and operational challenges.
• Cultivates statewide strategic partnerships that strengthen organizational capacity, expand collaborative initiatives, and advance mission.
• Across the network, leads technical assistance, peer learning, leadership development, and statewide support efforts, and promote alignment, collaboration, and sharing of practices.
• Funding from the State of CA, oversees grantmaking initiatives, funding systems, reporting structures, and compliance efforts. Provides executive oversight for major program budgets, state appropriations, contracts, and grants, ensuring strong stewardship, compliance, and measurable impact.

Program Innovation, Learning, & Quality Improvement

• Oversees statewide learning systems, curriculum development, training, and educational initiatives. Supports innovative and accessible learning models, i.e. virtual and technology-enhanced approaches.
• Identifies, evaluates, and integrates promising, evidence-informed practices from the fields of child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and other related fields that can strengthen CASA programs.
• Maintains awareness of best practices from CASA programs across the state and nation, as well as adjacent sectors that are serving the child welfare and juvenile justice populations.
• Promotes evidence-informed practices and continuous quality-improvement strategies.
• Oversees quality assurance, accreditation, and assessment efforts aligned with state and national standards.

Data & Impact Strategy

• Guides statewide data, evaluation, and outcomes strategies. Leverages statewide data, evaluation findings, and program outcomes to strengthen decision-making and identify trends. Demonstrates impact, informs strategic investments and funding decisions, and communicates CA CASA’s statewide impact.
• Uses data to supports impact storytelling, grant reporting, and communications.
• Ensures lessons learned from local CASA programs are translated into statewide policy recommendations that strengthen outcomes for children and youth; and uses statewide program data, to help inform legislative priorities, public policy recommendations, and systems change initiatives.

Staff Leadership & Team Development

• Supervises the Sr. Director of Program Operations & Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, and leads, mentors, and supports the entire program team while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Supports staff development, succession planning, and organizational leadership capacity amongst program team.
• Ensures accountability, communication, and alignment across the entire organization, and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, public policy, and/or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, child welfare, juvenile justice, public government or policy systems, or related fields, with 5+ years of senior leadership experience.
• Success leading complex program initiatives and teams.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational development, governance, and capacity-building.
• Strong communication, facilitation, public speaking, and relationship-building.
• Experience with government & private sector grants, budgets, statewide initiatives, & stakeholder engagement.
• Experience using data and outcomes to inform strategy and communicate impact.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, culturally-responsive practices that strengthen outcomes for children, youth, volunteers, and local CASA programs.
• Ability to travel statewide throughout CA.
• Experience with CASA and/or Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) mission and organizations is a bonus.
• Experience with statewide associations or similar organizations is a bonus.
• Experience and track record of public policy or legislative advocacy is a bonus.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and quality assurance/improvement efforts is a bonus.

BENEFITS

• Salary $140,000 to $210,000 DOE. CA CASA staff work 100% remotely with no permanent physical office (office equipment provided). CPO candidate must resides in CA or plans to do so.
• CPO will be expected to attend meetings with staff, Board members, and stakeholders as well as participate in various business/social events. Occasional out-of-town overnight travel.
• Intermittent physical activities, i.e. bending, reaching, sitting, and walking, during working hours. Person may spend many hours each day seated at their home office computer. Reasonable accommodation is offered to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
• Required to pass background checks in compliance with CA Rule of Court 5.655. Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, regular access to a vehicle for meetings/activities
• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Plan, 403(b) Employer Match, Flexible Spending Account, Vacation/Personal Days, & Paid Sick Time.

Send a resume and cover letter to: ***email_hidden***. No calls please.

CA CASA is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. CA CASA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.