Training Specialist

Training Specialist

Training Specialist represents the full performance level for employees responsible for identifying training needs, gathering and developing data for training delivery, and delivering the training or coordinating the delivery by other individuals to the targeted recipients or agency employees. The Training Specialist is distinguished from the Training and Development Supervisor by the latter's having responsibilities for supervising other trainers or educators. General work tasks (illustrative only) include specializing in area of staff/provider training and development; identifying training needs and developing appropriate curricula and materials; coordinating or conducting the training after consultation with agency executives; marketing trainings, maintaining updated trainee information, and generating a variety of reports to assess performance; assessing overall success of training program; setting appropriate goals for continued enhancement and development of the program; coordinating purchase, delivery, and usage of all training/office supplies and materials; maintaining training files and other department records in accordance with state/local regulations; consulting in the development of training programs for Social Service adhering to timely delivery of new agency programs; conducting, attending and/or participating in staff meetings, meetings with other departments, meetings with citizen or civic groups, and meetings with outside resources or agencies; attending seminars and conferences and reading industry trade journals, agency literature to stay current with Federal and State regulatory agencies and to improve training skills; and may maintain a web site for dissemination of program information and education.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include working knowledge of human needs and social problems and how society has responded to the rights of individuals to have these needs met in order to understand and train others in the policies, principles, and practices of current social service programs; subject area to accurately convey curriculum content; training methods and practices; techniques of training delivery sufficient to promote adult learning; policies, procedures, and activities of the County and of Social Services Department practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Training Specialist; practices, methods, and procedures relating to subject areas being taught; development of training curricula and training materials; terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department; and laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures relating to training activities. Skill in operating a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; and utilizing the associated software programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing. Demonstrated ability to present and explain orally facts, ideas, and information to individuals and groups sufficient to promote adult learning; plan and design programs, activities, and materials sufficient to prepare training programs which will meet organizational needs; establish and maintain working relationships with others sufficient to achieve local agency training and development goals; plan, prioritize, and perform multiple activities independently sufficient to organize own work schedule and to schedule and coordinate the training activities of others; present and explain in writing facts, ideas, and information sufficient to prepare reports, correspondence, and training materials; gather and evaluate data in order to identify the strengths and needs of an individual or organization; comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information; assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner; effectively communicate both orally and in writing; interact successfully with subordinates, supervisors, staff and members of the general public; use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision; use mathematical calculations, percentages and decimals; read, understand and interpret financial, technical and computer reports and related material; provide effective training in a classroom or small group setting; assemble information from a variety of sources and formulate content for training; assess training needs; use audio visual and computer generated aids to enhance training delivery; generate and use evaluation materials to assess effectiveness of training; and conduct dynamic training and engage participants.

Education and experience: Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, education, or closely related field; supplemented with work experience and/or training that includes social work, training/teaching, curricula development, supervision, and personal computer operations OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.