Child Welfare Trainer - Little Rock

University of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Child Welfare Trainer provides training for new and continuing staff of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), including Social Services Specialists, Social Services Supervisors/Experts, and Social Services Assistants. Training includes classroom instruction, simulations, Division Information Management System (DIMS) instruction, and coaching in DCFS offices or in the field. The trainer consults individually with new workers on knowledge and skill development and provides workers and supervisors with feedback on training progress. The position also delivers identified training to the child welfare community, works with university partners and DCFS staff on Child Welfare Reform and workforce development, and supports training curriculum development and revision. The trainer collects and maintains training data and documentation, including monthly contract logs and records of training, consultation, and collaborative contacts. The position reports to the Child Welfare Team Leader. This grant-funded position is renewed annually. It requires occasional overnight travel, potentially including extended stays around the state, and may involve in-state and occasional out-of-state travel. The role may require work outside normal office hours, including nights and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
Knowledge of DCFS policies and procedures, including the ability to stay current with changes, and knowledge of the Arkansas child welfare system.
Ability to travel in-state and occasionally out of state.
Ability to work outside normal office hours, including nights and weekends.
Ability to train others and work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to meet multiple program deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office and other software applications.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
Five years of professional experience with children and families in public child welfare.
Two years of experience with the DCFS Division Information Management System.
Experience and training in curriculum development and training delivery.

Responsibilities

Provide classroom, simulation, DIMS, and field-based training for DCFS Social Services Specialists, Social Services Assistants, and Supervisors/Experts.
Deliver new staff training and continuing education workshops for DCFS staff and community-based providers using DCFS-approved curricula.
Manage and evaluate new workers’ performance in training content and skills mastery.
Attend DCFS mandatory training and continuing education workshops relevant to the position.
Consult individually with new workers about knowledge and skill development.
Assist DCFS supervisors and area managers in identifying and meeting workers’ training needs.
Collaborate with DCFS staff, supervisors, area managers, and university partners to support workforce development.
Model professional communication and teamwork locally and statewide.
Collect and maintain required training data and documentation related to participants and outcomes.
Maintain monthly documentation, including contract logs and records of training, consultation, and collaborative contacts.
Assist with curriculum revisions and development of new curricula.
Present workshops and trainings at local, regional, and state conferences as requested.
Participate in DCFS workgroups and initiatives as requested.
Perform other related duties as assigned.