UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work’s Innovations Institute seeks qualified applicants for open positions within the MRSS Training Specialist role, to be hired as Senior Training Specialist (Administrative Program Support 4), or Lead Training Specialist (Senior Administrative Program Support), depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant.

These positions will be part of the School of Social Work’s growing portfolio of installation and dissemination of MRSS training and technical assistance across the country. Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) is an intervention designed to respond with urgency to the immediate needs of children, youth, young adults, and caregivers. It is comprised of three service components, someone to contact (access points), someone to respond (mobile response services), and a system to support (stabilization services). MRSS is part of a larger state health reform and a necessary component of a robust and comprehensive system design. Positions with Innovations Institute are fully remote with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus twice annually at the employee’s expense.

Under the direction of management staff, selected candidates will plan, fully develop, conduct, and administer workforce development programs aimed at human service professionals to improve their skills and knowledge in MRSS, the intermediate care coordination model. As MRSS training and coaching subject matter experts, training and coaching staff will identify key trainings to support quality implementation, design complex curricula, evaluate, use, and develop technical assistance tools to better support and assess workforce development activities. These positions will lead to assignments including planning, executing, and status reporting of MRSS installation initiatives and activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Training Specialist (Administrative Program Support 4):

• Assesses general and specific training needs within the MRSS population using generally accepted methods appropriate to the training field.
• Assists in researching, developing, and delivering training for child welfare, juvenile justice and/or behavioral health professionals on specified models.
• Communicates regularly, in person or virtually, with implementing organizations and the implementation team.
• Utilizes data to inform decision making in types of technical assistance deemed most helpful.
• Monitors quality of practice and utilizes coaching feedback to inform needed actions to support implementation integrity.
• Participates in the development of model specific general training and implementation materials such as manuals, online learning modules, self-test instruments, hand-outs, and other course materials. Revises and modifies training materials as needed.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of training through established evaluation measures. Uses evaluation data to modify and adapt training.
• Networks and builds relationships with state and organizational leadership to build interest in partnering around successful implementation efforts.
• Develops, implements, and maintains effective mechanisms for ongoing relationships/partnerships with department managers, through participation in work groups and by assisting in the designing of long-range training and development plans.
• Utilizes tools to provide coaching support to the field including those designated local child- and family-serving systems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Lead Training Specialist (Senior Administrative Program Support):

• Leads large-scale and specialized consultation, training, and coaching efforts on specified models and other topics relevant to department programs. Identifies future coaching/training needs. Creates strategies to ensure sustainability and training are effectively translated into practice. 
• Performs project management duties such as creating project work plans, establishing and monitoring goals and objectives, data management, and developing communications strategy to ensure successful implementation of training and coaching initiatives. 
• Serves as subject matter expert to less experienced training staff. May supervise training staff as necessary. 
• Establishes relationships/partnerships and collaborates with executive-level external and internal stakeholders to assess and develop long–term implementation and training plans to ensure needs are effectively met. 
• Leads overall development of new training curricula, as well as the review and modification of existing curricula based on implementation science and adult learning principles. 
• Leads the development, design, and delivery of training aids such as handouts/workbooks, PowerPoint presentations, online training, and evaluation/self-tests using adult learning principles.
• Leads reporting of all deliverables, efforts, and progress. 
• Compiles, analyzes, and interprets training data. Assists and plans complex needs assessments to ensure curricula are aligned with department and organization needs.
• Establishes relationships/partnerships and collaborates with external and internal stakeholders to assess and develop long–term implementation, coaching, and training plans to ensure needs are effectively met. 
• Develops, recommends, modifies, and implements policies and procedures as they relate to training and coaching. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Senior Training Specialist (Administrative Program Support 4):

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Education, Public/Business Administration, Communications, or discipline appropriate to the training being conducted.
• Experience: Four (4) years of related MRSS or mobile crisis experience, including three (3) years providing coaching and workforce development activities. 

Lead Training Specialist (Senior Administrative Program Support):

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Education, Public/Business Administration, Communications, or discipline appropriate to the training being conducted.
• Experience: Five (5) years related to training MRSS or mobile crisis experience, including three (3) years providing coaching and workforce development activities related to evidence-based practice installation. Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced/senior team member or working as a project lead.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Education, or a related field of study is preferred. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and related software applications, such as Adobe, Teams, and Zoom.
• Ability to maintain high standards with the work being performed and maintain awareness of trends and influences. Ability to learn new information and apply it to development programs to ensure that training schemes are up-to-date and useful.
• Capacity to exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems and make informed decisions. 
• Assumes personal responsibility for all outcomes; makes effective and timely decisions; effectively uses technology; prioritizes and meets deadlines. Strong critical thinking skills aid in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of approaches to problems and the viability of various solutions, and in helping trainees develop these skills themselves to get the most out of their experience. Skill in analyzing complex topics, policies, and procedures to prepare detailed summaries. 
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Writes and presents information concisely. Interprets and understands written information and can listen attentively to verbal and non-verbal cues that lead to a deeper understanding. Possess excellent training and group facilitation skills. 
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and demonstrate professional, ethical, respectful, and courteous behavior when interacting with others.  Interacts pleasantly and positively across a diverse customer audience to meet a range of customer expectations, including individualized follow-up. 

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. Positions with the Innovations Institute are fully remote and expected travel to UConn's Hartford Campus twice annually. Preference will be given to candidates who are local Connecticut residents. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498412 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on July 21, 2024. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.