Social Services Jobs in Austin, TX (Now Hiring) — 1,368 open — Page 3

Brief Job Description: 

The Training and Development Specialist V serves in a dual role as a curriculum developer and trainer. The position designs, develops, and delivers training programs for DFPS staff through in-person, virtual, and eLearning formats to enhance workforce knowledge, skills, and performance. This role is responsible for preparing learning environments, developing instructional materials, coordinating logistics, delivering training and ensuring training aligns with agency goals and adult learning principles. Trainers provide real-time verbal feedback and guidance to participants to support skill application and knowledge retention. Additionally, trainers collaborate with instructional designers and program leadership to ensure training remains current, relevant, and aligned with organizational goals. Trainers also perform guiding activities such as grading assignments, providing critical written feedback, and coordinating with leadership to implement action plans that promote increased success. Whether focused on content creation, facilitation, or eLearning design, the position plays a key role in building agency capacity, supporting staff development, and promoting consistent, high-quality service delivery across the state. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Delivers training in a classroom, distance learning environment, or, occasionally, in an eLearning environment.  

• Delivers instructor-led training sessions for DFPS employees across statewide offices and virtual platforms, ensuring alignment with DFPS standards and engaging participants through real-world application scenarios. 

• Leads virtual refresher and compliance training for seasoned staff statewide 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.  

Organizes and prepares materials and supplies for training courses such as notebooks, handouts, flip-charts, projectors, or laptops.  

• Prepares classroom and virtual training environments for all DFPS 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. 

• Develops standardized training material kits, including handouts, visual aids, and facilitator guides for all DFPS divisions, ensuring content is formatted for both print and digital distribution and meets instructional quality standards. 

Sets up and arranges training room to support the learning objective.  

• Prepares in-person and virtual training environments by arranging seating, configuring technology, and organizing instructional tools to promote active participation and align with the training objective for diverse DFPS roles. 

Maintains training records and training calendars, including course rosters and records of participation.  

• Maintains up-to-date training calendars, rosters, and attendance for all DFPS 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. 

Develop curricula, course outlines, instructional methods, training aids, manuals, and other instructional materials and products.  

• Designs comprehensive curricula and course outlines for in-person and virtual training that reflect DFPS policy and adult learning strategies, and creates facilitator guides, case studies, and participant manuals to support consistent instruction statewide. 

• Creates interactive eLearning modules, scripts, voiceovers, and digital assessments using multimedia tools software to deliver flexible and accessible training to DFPS staff. 

Participate in planning and developing specialized training, staff development, and continuing education programs, and occasionally customized and technology-based training.  

• Collaborates with program experts and internal stakeholders to plan and create specialized training content for continuing education courses that address evolving DFPS policy and workforce needs. 

• Leads the designs and develops customized eLearning modules and interactive tools for staff across the agency, incorporating assessments tailored to specific program goals. 

Research, develop, review, and assess training programs and materials, and recommend modifications as appropriate.  

• Research best practices in adult learning to develop and refine training materials for DFPS 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. 

• Analyzes learner performance data and user feedback on eLearning modules to identify content gaps or usability issues. 

Plan, design, and develop methods for the assessment and evaluation of training effectiveness.  

• Develops activities and knowledge checks, to assess and monitor performance. 

• Designs pre- and post-assessments, feedback forms, and performance-based evaluations to measure how well training content improves knowledge and skills aligned with DFPS goals. 

Participate in solving training problems and ensuring the effective use of modern training methods and techniques.  

• Collaborates with program staff to integrate updated policies and evidence-based learning techniques into curricula. 

• Troubleshoots issues with online learning tools and user experience, recommending and implementing modern design elements like microlearning, interactive branching or gamification to increase completion and comprehension rates. 

Facilitate workshops and meetings.  

• Facilitates collaborative curriculum planning meetings with program experts and instructional staff to gather input, align content with agency needs, and plan future training initiatives. 

• Leads in-person and virtual workshops for DFPS staff and leaders, guiding discussions, activities, and debriefs to promote engagement and reinforce learning objectives. 

Analyze training content for accessibility and recommend changes to remediate accessibility issues.  

• 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. 

• Analyzes classroom and virtual training presentations for accessibility and provides real-time accommodations or follow-up materials, such as large-print handouts or transcripts. 

• Reviews eLearning modules for accessibility compliance, including screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and captioning, and remediates technical issues to comply with federal and state accessibility standards. 

Enters data into a training database.  

• Inputs attendance records, training completions, and evaluation scores into DFPS’s learning management system after each session to ensure accurate tracking of staff development across all DFPS programs. 

• Enters curriculum updates, revisions, and course metadata into the training database to maintain current and accessible instructional resources for delivery staff statewide. 

Analyze training content for accessibility; and recommend changes to make content accessible and remediate accessibility issues.  

• 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. 

• Analyzes classroom and virtual training presentations for accessibility and provides real-time accommodations or follow-up materials, such as large-print handouts or transcripts. 

• Reviews eLearning modules for accessibility compliance, including screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and captioning, and remediates technical issues to comply with federal and state accessibility standards. 

Coordinate training events by determining and securing date, time, location, facilitator, and number of participants, and maintain training schedules.  

• Communicates live training events for DFPS staff including session information such as the secured date, time, and location information.  

• Maintains participant rosters to ensure seamless execution and maximum participation. 

Perform training needs assessments to guide training interventions and course development.  

• Conducts interviews, surveys, and data reviews with program staff and leadership to assess skill gaps and identify learning needs, using results to prioritize and shape new training content. 

• Gathers feedback from participants and facilitators during sessions to identify areas where additional instruction or reinforcement is needed, informing adjustments to future training offerings. 

Serve as a professional resource for employees and managers regarding training programs and promotes the use of training services.  

• Advises DFPS 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 DFPS staff employees and supervisors navigating online training platforms, and answering questions related to eLearning access and completion tracking. 

Promote the use of training services.  

• Build relationships with employees and supervisors during sessions by sharing available learning resources, upcoming classes, and tips for ongoing growth, helping staff see training as a valuable tool. 

• Promotes eLearning courses and tools across DFPS through internal newsletters, virtual walk-throughs, and user guides, making staff more aware of flexible self-paced training options. 

Design and review course and instructor evaluations for use in enhancing training programs.  

• 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. 

Collect data to help evaluate and analyze training needs and training effectiveness.  

• Identifies trends in learner performance, program feedback, and policy changes to inform the design of new or revised curriculum. 

Compile data and prepare reports.  

• Tracks attendance, participation, and learner evaluations from instructor-led sessions to compile reports  

Prepare articles for in-house publications.  

• Writes articles highlighting updates to training content, curriculum launches, and best practices for DFPS internal newsletters to keep staff informed and engaged. 

• Prepares summaries of successful training events and staff development initiatives for internal publications, recognizing staff participation and promoting the value of professional growth. 

Review and implement training programs, policies, and procedures.  

• Reviews eLearning policies and LMS protocols to ensure online training aligns with accessibility, data tracking, and maintenance standards, and implements improvements as needed. 

Develop policies and procedures for training programs.  

• Adheres to protocols for the development, review, launch, and maintenance of online learning modules, including accessibility checks and LMS standards. 

Evaluate, recommend, and plan supplemental training programs with private employers and state or federal agencies.  

• Assess external training opportunities from private providers or government partners to identify programs that complement internal DFPS training. 

• Evaluates online training programs offered by third parties and recommends digital content that meets DFPS standards. 

Performs related work as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

Knowledge of 

• training and development procedures and techniques. 

• applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques to both a classroom and blended learning environment. 

• DFPS programs and services (or related field) and the ability to apply knowledge to training development. 

• instructional and curriculum design. 

• learning management and learning content management systems. 

• group processes, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations.  

Skill in:  

• instructing others and facilitating workshops. 

• oral and written communication. 

• using a computer and applicable software.  

• applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques to both a classroom and blended learning environment.  

• using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. 

• working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups. 

Ability to:  

• maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48. 

• assess training needs. 

• carry out major assignments in conducting the operations of the business. 

• communicate effectively. 

• develop and maintain a collaborative approach and professional relationship with staff and all levels of leadership to include representatives from other divisions. 

• formulate learning objectives, to develop training objectives, to assess the effectiveness of training, and to assess training needs. 

• investigate and resolve matters of significance on behalf of management. 

• manage a project through design, development, and deployment of training products. 

• prioritize time and work on multiple projects with multiple deadlines.   

• provide consultation or expert advice to management. 

• provide guidance and/or oversee the work of others. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

Applicants for position must have a reliable motor vehicle, and acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance and license. 

Initial Screening Criteria: 

• Minimum 3 years of recent (within the past 5 years) experience as a worker or manager in CCI/CPI/CCR/CPS Programs. Experience in CCI required.  

• Graduation from accredited four-year college or university  with major course work in social work, education, instructional design, or a related field OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus four (4) years CPI/CPS casework work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus 3 and half (3 1/2) years of CPI/CPS casework work experience. 

• Experience in writing, formatting, and/or editing large documents required. 

• Experience delivering distance learning and/or in person training preferred. 

• Experience in supervision within CCI, CPI, or CPS program preferred. 

Additional Information: 

N/A