"Outreach Specialist"

Job Summary

The Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) provides a comprehensive, statewide array of professional learning opportunities that supports the enhancement of a competent child welfare workforce and well-prepared caregivers capable of positively impacting safety, permanence and well-being outcomes for children and families in the state of Wisconsin. The WCWPDS collaboratively develops and provides asynchronous, synchronous and blended learning opportunities to county, tribal and state child welfare partners.

This is a full-time position that, in conjunction with the Associate Director, Safety Learning and Development Manager, The Department of Children and Families (DCF), and Child Welfare Learning & Development Specialists, supports the delivery of competency-based training on safety and child welfare aspects of public child welfare work to child welfare workers across Wisconsin via the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS). Primary position responsibilities include training delivery, session training coordination, and transfer of learning, including training facilitation, content consultation for worker pre-service/training, and curriculum development for safety and child welfare training and professional development opportunities for workers and supervisors.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Training Planning and Delivery

A1. Prepare for and deliver training on aspects of safety and child welfare. Leading/delivering child protective services safety related training for child welfare workers and supervisors state-wide, which includes learning support and individual feedback to learners utilizing both traditional and distance learning methods

A2. Coordinate training.

• Create Zoom links for participants to attend virtual training sessions.
• Prepare the training room with appropriate working equipment, registration and resource table, and trainee seating.
• Make arrangements for handouts, media resources and other training tools.
• Facilitate the completion of participant Action Planning throughout and at the conclusion of each training session.
• Facilitate the completion of Level I evaluations at each training session.
• Support transfer of learning.

A3. Facilitate worker and supervisor training sessions, as assigned (WiLearn, Fundamentals, Special Skills and Topics, etc.)

A4. Manage handouts and materials for worker training sessions.

A5. Respond to requests for learner information and training.

Transfer of Learning

B1. Facilitate post-training session communication with participants and supervisors to support transfer of learning.

B2. Participate in the development of on-the-job training aids to enhance learner pre- and post-training session knowledge and skill transfer.

Curriculum Development

C1. Provide content consultation, curriculum development and revision of worker pre-service, WiLearn and safety related training and professional development opportunities for child welfare professionals and supervisors.

C2. Participate in curriculum development meetings, as appropriate.

C3. Stay current with safety and child welfare practice and research, state and national trends, and emerging issues, and adult learning.

Organizational Responsibilities

D1. Participate in management and staff meetings.

D2. Participate in university, partnership and statewide teams and committees, as assigned.

D3. Other duties as assigned

For more information about the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System, visit: http://wcwpds.wisc.edu/.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

Department:

College of Letters & Science | Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work (WCWPDS)

Compensation:

The typical starting salary for this position is $72,000 - $82,500 annually (12-month) depending on qualifications and experience. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays and paid time off; competitive insurance and saving accounts; and retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of experience in Wisconsin Child Welfare services required, five years preferred. Child welfare experience in the array of Wisconsin county child welfare services (access, initial assessment, child protective services ongoing, and juvenile justice intake and ongoing) preferred, with preference for experience specifically implementing and/or supervising Wisconsin’s Safety Intervention Model for Child Protective Services decision making.
• Demonstrated training delivery skills, with experience providing training and knowledge of adult learning principles required. Prior child welfare training experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to relate and work well with diverse individuals and groups from across all levels of an organization required
• Demonstrated competence in written and oral communication required
• Strong organizational skills required
• Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft word and internet-based tools, required
• Ability to obtain or currently holds a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for required travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Wisconsin Child Welfare Statutes and Standards
• Knowledge of child welfare services education and professional training
• Knowledge of transfer of learning concepts preferred
• Knowledge of or experience with curriculum development
• Experience with the Wisconsin Safety Intervention Model

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field, required.

Master’s degree in social work or related human services field, preferred.

How to Apply:

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications/Cover Letter

Applicants should attach a letter of qualifications/cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field.

Selected applicants will receive an invitation to participate in virtual interviews once all applications have been reviewed following the application deadline. Those moving on to second round interviews will be invited to an in-person interview at The Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System located in Madison, WI. Once finalists are identified, they will be asked to provide names and contact information for at least three professional references, including a current/former supervisor. References will not be contacted without advanced notice.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:

Jennifer Heil, Associate Director, jheil@wisc.edu, (603)514-6655