Training & Learning Specialist

Position: Training Specialist
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Director, Professional Development
Company: Texans Together
Location: Houston, TX

Position Description:
The Training Specialist is responsible for facilitating engaging and effective Texans Together (TTG) training sessions in both virtual and in-person classroom settings. This role ensures the delivery of comprehensive training programs for new and current employees, foster/adoptive parents, and community participants. This role is essential to maintaining high training standards that align with TTG's mission to support children and families involved in Texas foster care system.

The Training Specialist delivers standardized TTG curriculum with consistency and quality, fosters interactive learning environments, and adapts training techniques to meet diverse learner needs. This role provides real-time verbal feedback and guidance to participants to support skill application, knowledge retention and successful leaning objectives.

In addition, the Training Specialist collaborates with instructional designers and program leadership to ensure training remains current, relevant, and aligned with organizational goals. This role also included guiding activities such as grading assignments, providing critical written feedback, and coordinating with leadership to implement action plans that promote increased success. This position plays a key role in building agency capacity, supporting staff development, and promoting consistent, high-quality service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities:
Teaching and Learning:

• Delivers training in a classroom, distance learning environment, or, occasionally, in an eLearning environment.
• Delivers instructor-led training sessions for TTG employees ensuring alignment with Community Based Care standards and engaging participants through applying their child welfare experience.
• Leads virtual refresher and compliance training for tenured staff to reinforce policy updates and practice shifts, adapting facilitation style and tools to the needs of remote learners.
• Coordinates targeted workshops in person and online, focusing on emerging trends, often tailoring content on the spot based on audience background.
• Prepares classroom and virtual training environments for all TTG staff audiences by coordinating logistics, printing participant materials, and ensuring equipment, technology, and virtual platforms are functional before each session to promote a seamless learning experience.

Collaboration and Compliance:

• Work closely with TTG program teams and the evaluation team to ensure training initiatives meet contractual obligations and achieve desired outcomes. Ensure all training activities adhere to the highest standards of compliance and best practices as outlined by relevant regulatory bodies and accreditation requirements.
• Inputs and maintains immaculate attendance records, training completions, and evaluation scores into TTG's learning management system after each session to ensure accurate tracking of staff development.
• Maintains up-to-date training calendars, rosters, and attendance for all TTG staff sessions, ensuring accurate scheduling and documentation of participation to support compliance with the required training standards.
• Manages digital course participation records and module access logs through the agency's learning management system to support data integrity and identify follow-up needs for staff completing asynchronous training.
• Advise TTG employees and managers on available training offerings, helping them identify sessions that meet their professional development needs and ensuring they understand how to access and register for courses.
• Responds to staff inquiries about training content.
• Provides technical guidance to TTG employees and managers navigating online training platforms, and answering questions related to eLearning access and completion tracking.
• Build relationships with employees and managers during sessions by sharing available learning resources, upcoming classes, and tips for ongoing growth, helping staff see training as a valuable tool.

Continuous Improvement:

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Professional Development Department by regularly reviewing and updating training content and methodologies based on feedback and emerging best practices.
• Reviews draft and existing training materials to ensure they meet accessibility standards, such as font, readability, alt text, color contrast, and closed captioning, and collaborates to revise content accordingly.
• Contributes to the development of supplemental training aids, such as role-play scenarios, discussion guides, and job aids, based on real-time classroom observations and feedback to enhance learner engagement and skill application.
• Collects feedback from participants through post-session evaluations and facilitator observations.
• Identifies data-based trends in learner performance, program feedback, and policy changes to inform the design of new or revised curriculum.
• Prepares summaries of successful training events and staff development initiatives for internal publications, recognizing staff participation and promoting the value of professional growth.
• Provides input on curriculum design and delivery strategies based on learner feedback and classroom experience, helping shape future sessions and improve the impact of continuing education programs.
• Research best practices in adult learning to develop and refine training materials for TTG staff, regularly reviewing content for accuracy and recommending updates to reflect policy or practice changes.
• Assesses classroom and virtual training effectiveness based on participant engagement and feedback, identifying areas for improvement and recommending updates to better meet learner needs and program goals.
• Identifies challenges in learner engagement or participation during training sessions and applies modern facilitation methods, such as scenario-based learning or peer discussion, to enhance effectiveness.
• Designs and reviews facilitator evaluations that capture feedback on instructional style, clarity, and engagement, then trains staff to implement changes that enhance the learner experience.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education or social work or related field OR sixty (60) accredited college credit hours plus four (4) years CPS casework work experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement.
• Minimum three (3) years of recent (within past 5 years) experience as a caseworker/manager in CPS Programs OR two (2) years' experience as a CLOE/Learning and Development trainer with 3 years field experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in supervision within CPS program.
• Experience delivering classroom and/or distance learning training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of training and development procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques to both a classroom and blended learning environment.
• Knowledge of learning management and learning content management systems.
• Knowledge of group processes, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations.
• Skilled in instructing others and facilitating workshops.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing with staff, leadership, participants, and external partners.
• Proficiency in using computers and applicable software to support training delivery, documentation, and reporting.
• Skilled in applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques in classroom and blended learning environment.
• Skilled in using logic and reasoning to evaluate information, identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, and determine effective approaches to problem-solving.
• Ability to provide guidance and oversee the work of others.
• Ability to carry out assignments that support business operations, program goals, and organizational priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative professional working relationships with staff, leadership, and representatives from other divisions.

Work Conditions:

• Environment: Office-based
• Range of Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Travel: Occasional, Local and Statewide (Must have reliable personal transportation and current auto insurance)

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.