Staff Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

STAFF DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST – AGENCY-WIDE

Title: Staff Development Specialist, Agency

Location:  Albany, NY  

Program : Staff Development & Training

Type:  Full-time / Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $23.11 – $25.69 (hourly)   

Schedule : Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm w/flexibility required

Job Ref. # : 0688

Our Mission

St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.

Our Vision

St. Catherine’s willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of children, families, and adults throughout the region.

Position Overview

The Staff Development Specialist facilitates training in classroom and virtual settings. The Staff Development Specialist will assist the Director of Staff Development in organizing, scheduling and conducting a variety of training programs, and will also assist with facilitating completion of required online trainings for new employees, as well as update trainings for existing employees, to meet program compliance standards. This position reports to the Director of Staff Development.

Position Requirements

• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. Relevant combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated training and group presentation skills are required.
• Previous experience working in a human services agency is a plus!
• Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License ; actively licensed for at least one (1) year with reliable transportation*.
• Above average proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Business Workspace Suite; and use secure Internet practices.
• A professional record of integrity, proven reliability, and dependability.
• A compassionate, positive, warm and caring mindset is highly desirable.
• Ability to work flexible hours, outside of scheduled work hours, when necessary.
• TCI Trainer certification and experience using TCI strategies and techniques with children who exhibit emotional and behavioral difficulties is highly preferred.
• Current Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification, preferred. 
• Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Experience with electronic learning management systems is a plus!
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
• Demonstrates qualities of patience, flexibility and adaptability; and capable of exhibiting empathy for those in crisis.
• Ability to exercise ethical, sound independent judgment and discretion, and handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.

** Staff in driving positions must be able to meet the agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers including, but not limited to, the minimum age of 21 at time of hire; with the ability to maintain insurability throughout employment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Ensures that agency standards and practices for TCI training and update training comply with the standards set forth by Cornell University’s TCI training guidelines.
• Serves as one of the agency’s professional development trainers, providing training in Cornell University’s Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Core and Updates.
• Assists with the development and/or facilitation of First Aid/CPR/AED, Medication Certification, and other related agency trainings, as assigned.
• Assists with facilitating additional program related trainings as needed (i.e. Trauma Informed Care, Professional Boundaries with Clients, Cultural Awareness, Incident Reporting and Documentation, etc.).
• Ensures that agency standards and practices for all trainings comply with the requirements of our governing/regulatory bodies. This includes, but is not limited to: TCI, First Aid/CPR/AED, HIPAA, Corporate/Medicaid Compliance, Infection Control, Mandated Reporter (both Reporting Child Abuse/Maltreatment and Neglect and the Justice Center Reporting Requirements) and the Residential Medication Certification training.
• Assists the Director of Staff Development with the coordination of an annual calendar of training. The calendar is updated semi-annually and includes the training sessions necessary to enable staff to meet the training requirements specific to their positions and to improve service delivery to clients.
• Responsible, with the Director of Staff Development, to maintain a current record of all completed trainings and those in need of completion in advance of expiration so that no employee is behind in required trainings and St. Catherine’s remains compliant with the regulations of its governing bodies. 
• Responsible to assist with notification of training needs to staff, department leadership, and the Director of Human Resources to ensure proper communication of training needs is being provided and followed through.
• Coordinates/oversees/facilitates completion of all required trainings for new staff as well as updates/refreshers for existing staff as necessary to meet compliance standards.
• Together with the Director of Staff Development and Associate Executive Director of Youth in Care as well as IT Department, maintains the training department’s online accessibility. 
• Under the direction of the Director of Staff Development and under the oversight of the Associate Executive Director of Youth in Care and the Associate Executive Director for Continuous Quality Improvement, ensures that training needs identified through the quality improvement department are addressed.
• Seeks and maintains fluency in program evidence-based practice initiatives to the extent that they are necessary to inform the delivery of agency trainings.
• Assists with oversight of evaluation/assessment procedures for TCI, First Aid/CPR/AED, and Medication Certification, and any other trainings as needed.
• Under the oversight of the Director of Staff Development, communicates the results of training performance and certifications to the staff as well as program leadership noting any strengths or performance needs observed.
• Works with the Director of Staff Development and program leadership in the development of trainings to be used where and when needed, specific to the needs of those program areas.
• Facilitates of a variety of training programs including, but not limited to: Restorative Practices, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, Grief and Loss, Big Van Certifications, etc.
• The Staff Development Specialist (Agency) may assist any program where appointed and needed for training needs. This may include but not limited to: the residential program with signing staff up for trainings, assisting with the development/facilitation of a program’s orientation training, providing focused topic trainings during staff meetings, etc. 
• Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Staff Development.

At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. We offer competitive compensation alongside a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and professional growth:

Financial Security & Future Planning

• Pension Plan: Secure your future with a retirement pension plan featuring a generous agency contribution.
• 403(b) Retirement Savings: Pre-tax savings options to further build your nest egg.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, employment here qualifies eligible staff for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program .
• Expense Reimbursements: Travel and mileage reimbursements for any role-related transit.

Health & Well-being

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Choice of robust Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to fit your needs.
• Well-being Reimbursement: A $600 annual benefit dedicated to supporting your personal wellness journey.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) plus paid holidays so you can rest and recharge.
• Life Insurance: Fully employer-paid, automatic life insurance coverage at no cost to you.

Professional Growth & Culture

• Paid Certifications & Training: Fully covered training updates, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and CPR/AED/First Aid.
• Tuition Assistance: Financial support for continuing education and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for professional development and internal career growth.
• Our Culture: Enjoy the comfort of a welcoming, business-casual work environment rooted in our core values of Mindfulness, Relevance, Respect, and Solidarity.

** Please note: To qualify for specific benefits, certain terms and conditions may apply.

About Us

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. 

St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. We are invested in fostering an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity. 

If you would like to learn more about our programs, please visit our website at: 

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is deeply committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health, pregnancy, family history, genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.