Training Specialist

Children's Network of Hillsborough; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Network of Hillsborough in Tampa, FL, seeks a Training Specialist to develop and implement comprehensive training programs for child welfare professionals and agency staff. The role focuses on aligning trainings with system-of-care standards, assessing needs, and delivering engaging sessions to enhance workforce capability.

This in-office position includes fieldwork, materials creation, and ongoing evaluation of training effectiveness, with responsibilities such as maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a four-year accredited college or university; preferably with a focus in social work, psychology, or related human services.
• Current, unencumbered certification in Child Welfare through the Florida Certification Board.
• Certified as a Child Welfare Professional for a minimum of three years; training or leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and facilitate training sessions for staff to enhance knowledge and skills related to child welfare.
• Develop comprehensive training materials, including manuals, presentations, e-learning modules, and handouts.
• Coordinate training schedules and track attendance and completion.
• Evaluate training effectiveness through feedback, assessments, and performance metrics.
• Ensure staff compliance with mandatory training and credentialing.
• Maintain learning management system access and updates to agency training plans.
• Lead group discussions, workshops, and coordinate with community providers.

Skills

Training facilitation

Child welfare knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Cultural competency

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work/psychology/related field

Certified Child Welfare Professional (Florida)

Florida Certification Board credentialing

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Buschwood - Tampa, FL 33618Salary Range: $26.92 Hourly

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

The purpose of the Training Specialist is to develop and implement comprehensive training programs that provide child welfare professionals and agency personnel with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively support children and families in their respective roles. This role ensures that training initiatives align with system of cares standards, best practices, and organizational goals. The Training Specialist is responsible for assessing training needs and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs to enhance workforce development and improve service delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and Deliver Training Programs:
  • Design, implement, and facilitate training sessions for staff to enhance knowledge and skills related to child welfare
  • Participate in discussions pertaining to updates to the child welfare curriculum and methods of delivery
• Training Material Development and Maintenance:
  • Design and create comprehensive training materials, including manuals, presentations, e-learning modules, and handouts.
  • Tailor content to the specific needs of various staff roles
  • Ensure materials reflect current policies, best practices, and regulatory standards in child welfare.
  • Regularly review and update training materials to reflect changes in laws, practices, and organizational needs.
• Coordinate Training Schedules:
  • Organize and manage training sessions, ensuring they are scheduled and accessible for all staff members, and track attendance and completion.
• Monitor Training Effectiveness:
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through feedback, assessments, and performance metrics, adjusting as needed to improve content and delivery.
  • Review monthly reports from subcontracted providers to assess training effectiveness and ensure alignment with the system of care’s needs.
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify areas for training and professional development based on staff performance, program goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure Compliance:
  • Oversee and ensure staff compliance with mandatory training requirements, including tracking certifications, credentials, and continuing education.
  • Oversee and maintain learning management system access and updates to agency training plans
• Support Staff Development:
  • Provide ongoing coaching and support to staff, promoting continuous professional development and improving their ability to apply training concepts in the field.
  • Serve as a qualified assessor with regards to completion of field observation requirements for child welfare staff
• Facilitate Group Learning:
  • Lead group discussions, workshops, and other interactive learning experiences to promote engagement and retention of key concepts.
  • Serve as point of contact with community providers to ensure various group learning topics are coordinated and provided.
• Maintain Records:
  • Keep accurate records of training activities, participant progress, and certifications to ensure compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
  • Oversee all monthly, quarterly, and annual records to ensure subcontracted providers and agency staff’s compliance
• Stay Current with Industry Trends:
  • Continuously update training programs based on the latest research, regulatory changes, and best practices in child welfare.
  • Attend training or "train-the-trainer" sessions to ensure compliance with requirements and effectively facilitate specialty subject matter.
• Credentialing Process:
  • Review and approve registration for required child welfare training to support the attainment of necessary credentials.
  • Ensure staff are appropriately advised regarding eligibility for child welfare certification.
  • Oversee the auditing and processing of child welfare credentialing documentation.
• Must be able to drive and have reliable transportation to perform required field-based activities to include observation of staff for performance and support, as required
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and agency goals, as needed and appropriate to the position.

Working Hours

Children’s Network of Hillsborough’s standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position with fieldwork requirements, that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements

Travel

Travel in and outside of Circuit 13 is required.

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct reports, but it oversees the certification process of others and requires strong coordination and oversight skills.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university; preferably with a focus in social work, psychology, or a related human services area
  • Requires current, unencumbered certification in Child Welfare through the Florida Certification Board.
  • Certified as a Child Welfare Professional for a minimum of three years.
  • Previous training or leadership experience is preferred
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong training and facilitation skills are essential for delivering engaging and impactful sessions using various methods such as workshops, webinars, and hands-on activities. In-depth knowledge of child welfare policies, trauma-informed care, and cultural competency is crucial for ensuring that the training aligns with system standards and best practices. Effective communication, both verbal and written, is necessary to convey complex information clearly and address the needs of participants. Organizational and project management skills are key to efficiently managing training schedules, resources, and materials while meeting deadlines. Technological proficiency, including experience with learning management systems and e-learning tools, is also important in modern training environments. The ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and provide support through empathetic listening helps foster a positive learning atmosphere. Analytical skills are needed to assess training effectiveness and continuously improve content and delivery. Flexibility and adaptability are essential for adjusting methods to accommodate different learning styles or unexpected challenges.

pre-employment requirements

• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Driver’s license check is a requirement
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening is a requirement
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Verbal communication abilities allow the specialist to articulate complex concepts clearly during training sessions, presentations, and discussions, ensuring that participants understand key information. Strong written communication skills are equally important for creating clear, concise training materials, such as manuals, reports, and course content, that are accessible and easily understood. Additionally, the ability to actively listen enables the specialist to understand the needs, concerns, and feedback from participants, fostering a responsive and supportive learning environment. Empathy and cultural sensitivity in language use are essential, particularly when addressing diverse groups or discussing sensitive topics related to child welfare. The capacity to adapt language for different audiences, such as professionals with varying levels of experience, ensures that training is engaging and effective for all participants.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Mathematical skills are essential for a training specialist in child welfare to manage various aspects of their role, particularly when it comes to budgeting, scheduling, and evaluating training outcomes. Mathematical proficiency is also important for tracking attendance, calculating costs, and determining the effectiveness of training programs through data analysis, such as participant feedback scores and performance metrics. Additionally, a solid understanding of statistics and data interpretation can help the specialist assess trends, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about future training sessions. These mathematical abilities support the overall success of training programs by ensuring they are well-organized, cost-effective, and aligned with the desired outcomes.

REASONING ABILITY

Reasoning ability is a critical skill for a training specialist in child welfare, as it enables them to make sound decisions, solve problems, and adapt to the dynamic needs of their training environment. Strong reasoning skills allow the specialist to assess complex situations, identify the most effective training methods, and determine the best course of action to address specific challenges. Reasoning also plays a key role in analyzing feedback and training outcomes, allowing the specialist to identify areas for improvement and implement changes that will enhance future training sessions. The capacity to make informed, data-driven decisions ensures that the specialist can continuously improve the quality of the training experience and contribute to better outcomes in the system of care.

Physical Demands

This role requires the ability to perform field and community-based work, including traveling to various locations, conducting home visits, and attending meetings or events. The position may involve prolonged periods of standing, walking, and driving, as well as occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds. Flexibility and stamina are essential to effectively engage with families in diverse settings and respond to needs as they arise. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an in-office position with both administrative and field work responsibilities. The noise level in the office is typically moderate. The role involves travel between agency locations and to community settings for field work, as well as extended periods of computer use and frequent communication across multiple departments. Field work may include but is not limited to home visits, job shadowing, and collaboration with external partners. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ADA:

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO:

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.