Lead Implementation Coach and Training Specialist, FISP

Lead Implementation Coach and Training Specialist, FISP

School of Social Work - Workforce Development

Located Statewide in Illinois

Job Summary

As a member of a specialized statewide child welfare training team, act as a liaison between the Field Implementation Support Program Management Team and Specialists / Technicians supporting the effective management of the program. Involves a range of supportive administrative tasks and responsibilities as assigned. Work collaboratively with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) and community partners to provide training, coaching, consultation and professional development to child welfare agency staff, supervisors, and managers.

This includes but is not limited to providing both introductory awareness and post-training content reinforcement related to the Illinois Core Practice Model, effective leadership development and other key IDCFS initiatives. Facilitate and at times develop trainings, lead learning groups and provide ongoing field support to enhance the transfer of learning and reinforce application from the training environment to field operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

* Support the FISP Management team in the initiatives and objectives of the FISP program and serve as an intermediary between FISP Management and Specialist/Technician staff inclusive of participation in FISP Leadership meetings, communication with staff in support of leadership initiatives, provision of input in data analysis and strategic planning to enhance program outcomes, and participation in the onboarding of Specialist/Technicians.

As assigned, participate in and represent the program in various office, division, IDCFS meetings and training conferences. Train, coach, mentor and professionally develop child welfare staff and leadership through individual coaching, group learning, and formal training on leadership and supervisory skills, and promote collaborative partnering with external child welfare community service providers, court personnel and collateral entities.

* Partner with child welfare staff, supervisors, managers, agency leadership and key stakeholders as assigned to complete gap analysis to assess areas of strength and opportunities for growth related to child welfare practice and support the development and implementation of practice enhancement plans. Provide child welfare field support, inclusive of conducting regular and frequent meetings with individuals and small cohorts within but not limited to a field office, agency or client residence.

Field support will include coaching child welfare supervisors and managers to assess practice strengths and opportunities for improvement among their teams, application of programmatic frameworks and utilization of multiple methodologies including observations of practice and self-reflection tools aimed at individual and organizational outcome improvement. Complete and maintain progress notes and needs assessments; author and submit regular reports, assists with data collection, entry, and analysis.

* Facilitate training of trainers for child welfare practice and child welfare leadership related content, which is inclusive of coordination and preparation of the delivery of training and curriculum, train child welfare staff on the delivery of various curriculums, practice activities, facilitation styles, presentation and classroom management skills. Spearhead work groups and special projects as assigned which would be inclusive of attending and coordinating various meetings, drafting and disseminating notes/reports and reporting out to staff and management, work in close collaboration with the Field Implementation Support Program Managers in the performance and assignment of these duties to be inclusive of curriculum design/development, content research, revisions and enhancements.

Remain current regarding emerging trends, research findings, and best practices in relevant subject matters, incorporating new knowledge into program activities and initiatives.

* Utilize assigned IDCFS/University equipment (laptop, jetpack, copier/scanner, LCD projectors, presenters, smartboards, phones, and audio/video equipment), software programs, webinar and virtual platforms, various Microsoft Office products, Share Point, Excel, Qualtrics/Survey Monkey and D-Net appropriately and with proficiency as directed and required, utilize various training functions of the IDCFS Learning and Development Center online learning management system. Other related duties to further the mission of the unit as assigned.

Travel Requirements

Statewide travel is required.

Minimum Qualifications

* Master's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in Social Work, Psychology or other recognized professional degree in human services.

* Professional experience of five (5) or more years in a public-sponsored, agency-based child welfare setting within a state system or its community partner agencies, providing direct child welfare…