Social Work Training Specialist

Description

Under direction, to plan, develop, implement and evaluate difficult and complex staff development training programs and activities primarily for, but not limited to, social work staff and graduate and undergraduate students of social work.

This Social Work Training Specialist position is responsible for training, coaching, and developing Social Workers, Supervisors, and Managers to meet critical mandates, learn new strategies and implement best practices within the context of their role. This position will support the Department of Family and Children's Services.

Typical Tasks

• Plans and conducts training programs for new Social Workers and orients, them to the Department's services, policies, procedures and computer systems;

• Initiates new training programs for social work staff based on new policies, procedures and regulations and on new developments in the field of social work;

• Plans and conducts special training sessions on selected topics such as supervisory training, employee relations, information systems;

• Identifies training needs, determines objectives, methods of instruction and formulates teaching plans and programs and evaluation methods;

• Provides consultation to supervisory and management staff regarding training and staff development issues;

• Conducts training and development sessions, performs the role of facilitator or resource person, and effectively utilizes group dynamics skills and techniques;

• Develops reference material, training program content and methods in cooperation with program staff;

• Supervises new social work employees or social work graduate/undergraduate students, guides and assists subordinate staff to develop casework skills;

• Evaluates performance of personnel and takes or recommends appropriate actions;

• Prepares and maintains clear and concise records and reports;

• Operates audio/visual equipment and materials;

• Schedules, arranges and coordinates speakers;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Training and Experience Note: Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work, Social Welfare or a closely related field and one (1) year of work related experience equivalent to the Social Worker III class in Santa Clara County.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and State regulations, laws and policies related to public social service agencies;

• Objectives, principles and practices of social case work;

• Standard office procedures and practices;

• General principles and practices of organization, management, supervision, public administration and communication;

• Employee, supervisory, management and organizational development and training techniques and current adult learning theory and practices;

• Development and trends in social work training and staff development;

• Common office computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, special Social Services applications and database.

Ability to:

• Plan, develop, conduct and evaluate training programs for graduate/undergraduate social work students, social workers, and other employees;

• Formulate specific objectives against which to compare and evaluate training results;

• Maintain currency in the state-of-the-art in training theory and practice;

• Understand, interpret and apply casework methods in the field of social work;

• Write and edit training material, handbooks and lesson plans, and develop aids and other instructional material;

• Plan, assign, direct, evaluate and supervise the work of others;

• Functioneffectively as a group leader or facilitator with large and small groups;

• Demonstrate active listening skills, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and speak effectively before large and small groups;

• Collect, analyze and interpret data;

• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.