Child Welfare Training Officer :: Nashville, TN

STI; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee Department of Children's Services in Nashville seeks a Training Officer to deliver comprehensive Pre-Service and Specialty training to newly hired staff, with a focus on trauma-informed care and the DCS Practice Model.

This role requires direct child welfare field experience and proven training delivery skills, plus proficiency with Microsoft Teams for virtual sessions; it supports hybrid work and regional travel.

Qualifications

• One year of direct child welfare field experience.
• One year of experience in training delivery or staff development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams and other virtual training tools.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor's Degree

Responsibilities

• Deliver Pre-Service Training to new DCS employees, covering fundamentals of child welfare and role-specific content.
• Facilitate Mentor Certification Programs.
• Proctor Pre-Service Assessments and support evaluation processes.
• Participate in Case Panel Presentations and Simulation Lab activities when applicable.
• Provide web-based technical assistance and support for virtual training delivery.
• Collaborate with training team members and leadership to ensure consistency and quality in training content and delivery; travel regionally as required.

Skills

Child welfare experience

Training delivery

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Contracted Training Officer Position Summary

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) is seeking qualified and passionate individuals for the role of Training Officer. This position is responsible for delivering comprehensive Pre-Service and Specialty training to newly hired DCS staff. The ideal candidate will have direct child welfare field experience and a strong background in training delivery, with a commitment to trauma-informed care and the DCS Practice Model.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Pre-Service Training to new DCS employees, covering:
  • Fundamentals of Child Welfare
  • Program-specific content based on assigned service areas (e.g., CPS, Foster Care, Juvenile Justice)
  • Trauma-informed case management practices
  • The DCS Practice Model and Practice Wheel (Engagement, Teaming, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Tracking, and Adjusting)
  • Self-care strategies and Motivational Interviewing techniques
• Facilitate Mentor Certification Programs
• Proctor Pre-Service Assessments and support evaluation processes
• Participate in Case Panel Presentations
• Participate in Simulation Lab activities (depending on location)
• Provide web-based technical assistance and support for virtual training delivery
• Utilize Microsoft Teams and other digital platforms to conduct and support training sessions
• Collaborate with training team members and program leadership to ensure consistency and quality in training content and delivery
• Travel –some travel will be required, under 75 miles each way. No overnight travel required.

Minimum Qualifications

• One (1) year of direct child welfare field experience (e.g., case management, investigations, foster care, juvenile justice)
• One (1) year of experience in training delivery, adult education, or staff development
• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams and other virtual training tools
• Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving training environment
• Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering training in a government or human services setting
• Certification or coursework in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, or adult learning principles

Work Conditions

• Travel may be required for in-person training sessions within regional area
• Hybrid work environment with both remote and on-site responsibilities