Title: Senior Trainer #W0286/W0845

State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor III

Hiring Range: $80,670 - $90,410/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: CENTRAL TRAINING CTR

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Local Training and Development (LTD) is currently seeking a Senior Trainer. The Division of Local Training and Development provides foundational and ongoing training to Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS), which serve as a pathway to bolster hope and wellbeing for staff, and the individuals and families being served throughout Virginia.

This position will report to the Training Delivery Manager and is a professional level position responsible for supervising a team of trainers, delivering training to Human Services staff employed at Virginia's Local Departments of Social Services, and serving as liaison with VDSS staff across the Human Services portfolio. This position will provide direct support to LTD trainers, LDSS staff, and the Training Delivery Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Supervision and leaderships skills, including conflict management, performance management, and helping staff achieve their goals and reaching the desired level of performance.
• Experience in guiding, leading, or supervising others in a professional capacity.
• Experience in professional training or instruction.
• Applied knowledge of instructional design methods including adult learning techniques, implementation and delivery components of offering competency-based skills, policy and professional development training.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, deliver, and evaluate engaging training programs.
• Ability to apply adult education principles to delivering diverse training curricula.
• Ability to assist with the recruitment, selection, and development of a cadre of trainers.
• Ability to coach trainers in needed skill development.
• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies.
• Must be proficient in the use of document management principles; Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, MS Teams, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, etc.) as well as utilizing Learning Management Systems and video-conferencing platforms such as MS Teams, WebEx, and Zoom.
• Knowledge of and/experience with local department of social services program administration and services delivery or similar working across a state’s state/regional/local delivery systems.
• Considerable demonstrated experience and skill in interpreting and applying policy, regulations, and guidelines in the area of:
  • Family Services including considerable knowledge of at least one of the following areas: Child Protective Services, Prevention and In-Home Services, or Permanency (Foster Care & Adoption);
    OR
  • Benefits Programs including considerable knowledge of VaCMS and at least one of the following programs: TANF, VIEW, SNAP, or Medical Assistance programs (F&C, ABD, LTSS), AG;
    OR
  • Childcare Assistance Programs including considerable knowledge of Childcare Subsidy and VaCMS.
    
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, meet deadlines, travel overnight, throughout Virginia on a regular basis to deliver training, participate in meetings to address statewide training needs and interact with all levels of DSS and other State and Local entities and represent the division professionally.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to effectively engage and learn from other members of the training team well as external partners to accomplish LTD’s goals.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Additional Considerations

• Considerable experience in professional stand-up training or instruction and virtual instruction, in a Human Service, Social Service, or public sector setting.
• Experience in developing or revising training curriculum.
  

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Frequent in-state, overnight travel may be required. Selected candidate(s) may be required to use their personal vehicle or state vehicle as available for business use.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.