Title: Director of Training

State Role Title: 29114

Hiring Range: Starting at $57,733; Salary to Commensurate with Experience.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Director of Training to lead, coordinate, and continuously improve a comprehensive hospital-wide training and staff development program that advances recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed care. This leadership role is responsible for setting clear performance expectations, ensuring consistent coaching and feedback, and maintaining compliance with performance management systems, mandated training requirements, and applicable policies while fostering accountability, safety, and high organizational performance across all departments. The Director oversees planning, implementation, and evaluation of all staff training initiatives, including onboarding, New Employee Orientation, leadership development programs, Therapeutic Options, CPR certification, and ongoing professional development opportunities, while also managing training budgets, records, vendor partnerships, and collaboration with central office and external stakeholders. In addition, the role provides strategic oversight of staff development initiatives that promote employee engagement, retention, and career growth, ensures alignment with regulatory and accreditation standards, supports competency validation in partnership with clinical leadership, and leads efforts to strengthen a culture of trust, transparency, safety, and continuous improvement across the hospital.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job:

1. Advanced knowledge of adult learning principles, workforce development strategies, and training program administration, with ability to design, implement, and evaluate hospital-wide staff development initiatives.
2. Strong expertise in curriculum development, facilitation, leadership development, and employee engagement, promoting continuous learning and professional growth across diverse teams.
3. Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver measurable organizational outcomes in high-demand healthcare or behavioral health environments.
4. Strong capability to build collaborative partnerships and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, using excellent verbal and written communication skills.
5. Knowledge of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care principles, ensuring training and workforce development align with best practice care models.
6. Ability to analyze workforce data, assess training needs, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives, using findings to improve performance and outcomes.
7. Skilled in budget administration, project management, and regulatory compliance, ensuring training programs are efficient, compliant, and fiscally responsible.
8. Strong interpersonal, leadership, observation, and listening skills, with the ability to interact therapeutically and professionally with staff at all levels.
9. Proficiency in computer systems and data tools, including Excel (spreadsheets, charts, and graphs), VLC system management, and familiarity with the Virginia Public Health System, supporting efficient documentation, reporting, and operational support.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Considerable experience in a hospital or complex healthcare environment developing, implementing, and evaluating employee training, staff development, or workforce education programs, with demonstrated ability to improve organizational learning outcomes.
2. Considerable supervisory experience, including performance management, coaching, workload assignment, and addressing performance issues in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and standards.
3. Demonstrated experience in instructional development and adult education, including designing and delivering instructor-led, virtual, and blended learning programs that reflect principles of adult learning.
4. Proven ability to conduct training needs assessments and translate organizational, clinical, or operational requirements into structured, competency-based training solutions.
5. Experience using learning management systems (LMS) or equivalent training tracking platforms to document training completion, monitor compliance, manage learning records, and generate reports supporting operational decision-making.
6. Hands-on experience in education and adult learning environments, demonstrating applied instructional competencies and the ability to engage diverse adult learner populations effectively.

Additional Considerations

Preferred:

1. Considerable experience working in a healthcare, behavioral health, or similarly regulated environment supporting workforce development or staff education programs.
2. Experience supporting or administering training programs aligned with regulatory or accreditation standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, or similar oversight bodies).
3. Comprehensive knowledge of performance management, supervision, and organizational development practices, supporting effective workforce alignment and accountability.

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.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (804) 524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-804-524-7111

Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.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.