Implementation Coach and Training Specialist - FISP, School of Social Work

Located Statewide in Illinois

Job Summary

As a member of a specialized statewide child welfare training team, 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 will include but not be limited to providing both introductory awareness and post-training content reinforcement related to the Illinois Core Practice Model, effective child welfare agency 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

• Train, coach, mentor and professionally develop child welfare agency 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 supervisors and managers to assess practice strengths and opportunities for improvement among their teams, application of programmatic frameworks and utilization of multiple methodologies 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.
• Co-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. Lead and/or participate in workgroups 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. As assigned, participate in and represent the program in various office, division, IDCFS meetings and training conferences.
• Utilize assigned IDCFS/UIUC equipment (laptop, 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 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 four (4) 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 casework services including Intact Family Services, Permanency/Foster Care, Investigations/Child Protection, Integrated Assessment, Child Welfare curriculum-based training facilitation/management, or other comparable human service experience.
• Two (2) of those years must include responsibility for supervision of child welfare direct service staff and/or management of child welfare services or other comparable human services. Other leadership experience will be considered.
• Experience with applying learning methodologies, such as coaching, transfer of learning, group facilitation, motivational interviewing, training and curriculum development.
• Possession of an appropriate and current Illinois license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of effective leadership, organizational change management strategies and implementation science.
• Established training, coaching and transfer of learning methodologies.
• Motivational interviewing, case study and clinical case presentation methodologies.
• Established evidence-informed child welfare practices and clinical interventions related to trauma and child maltreatment within family systems.
• Child and adolescent development, issues related to diagnosis and co-morbidity, and other behavioral health issues.
• Working knowledge of the Illinois Core Practice Model and family-centered, trauma-informed and strength-based practice application.
• Working knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophy and practice.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, the ability to critically think and problem solve.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong professional writing skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. The salary for this position is $72,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications experience while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 11th, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Upload your cover letter, resume and the names and contacts for three professional references. For further information about this specific position, please contact SW-HR@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.