This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after September 6, 2023. 

The salary range for this position is $6,008.23 - $6,609.05 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing over 70,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy creates experiences with the mission to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. The Academy continues to grow with new programs and a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. 

A significant effort in the Academy’s commitment to incorporate culturally responsive and recovery oriented practices is the recruitment of individuals who represent the full diversity of our community. The Academy invests in people to create an innovative work environment that promotes well-being and a culture that builds on and fosters the strengths of its staff and their intersectional identities. When you join the Academy team you can expect to contribute to an inclusive and innovative environment where the sharing of ideas, perspectives, and experiences is welcomed and encouraged. In applying for a position at the Academy, we invite you to consider our Core Values and our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) provides workforce development, organizational support, technical assistance, and capacity building for the public child welfare staff of Southern California counties. These services include coaching, simulation, classroom training, eLearning, and evaluation services. Workforce development services consist of development opportunities for new social workers, the existing workforce, supervisors, managers, and executive-level leadership as well as community partners and multidisciplinary partners working closely with child welfare agencies. 

Under the general direction of the Practice Coach Supervisor, the Practice Coach is responsible to work independently, and in partnership with a county, in coaching and workforce development services to public child welfare staff to support the transfer of learning and to develop specialized workforce development deliveries, projects, and capacity for best practice on state and county initiatives for CWDS. This position works closely with the county coaches to coordinate regional needs and county-specific coaching needs. This position works full-time from a home office and requires travel to county offices during the work day, as well as some travel to Sacramento.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40 hour a week full time position working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding subject to annual renewal. The position is subject to intermittent overnight travel and work shifts outside of normal business hours including weekends and evening.

Please note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, elder abuse, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

There are two positions open, both serving San Bernardino County.  

• One position primarily serves the North Desert Area and the candidate must reside within a commutable distance to Victorville with some travel to Barstow and Needles. 
• The other position serves Central San Bernardino. 
• Travel is required outside of the above-mentioned areas. 
• Service areas may change based on program needs. 

REGIONAL COACHING (70%)

• Facilitate coaching to support child welfare best practices and the transfer of learning from the classroom to fieldwork. Integrating knowledge of Federal and State initiatives, County policies and procedures, Child Welfare best practices, and coaching/facilitation best practices. This work occurs in county offices and in the field with all levels of Child Welfare.
• Work with all levels of Child Welfare to enhance or improve organizational health. 
• Represent the Academy by attending or facilitating County meetings or community meetings.
• Facilitate coaching sessions using the Academy's coaching model to ensure coaching fidelity and consistency.
• Interface and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders internal to the Academy and externally in the southern region and statewide.
• Develop a strong understanding of implementation science and use to support the implementation of coaching and best practices.
• Maintain a current understanding of Federal and State initiatives, regional/County issues, Child Welfare, coaching, and workforce development best practices. 
• Create and provide monthly coaching reports.
• Track and document coaching attendance and coaching hours/days in a tracking system and regularly monitor to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure all county needs are explored and met as appropriate to the scope of the contract (this may include, based on county need AND Practice Coach availability and capacity, occasional after-hours or weekend sessions to meet with those staff; in the event that this is needed the practice coach will not work more than their allotted hours in any given work day)
• Participate in ongoing regular individual supervision with your supervisor. 
• Work collaboratively with your coaching team (other coaches, coaching supervisors, coaching manager). Regularly attend group supervision as well as group coaching development days.
• Work closely with the County Consultant and the CWDS County Team to ensure there is an ongoing partnership and communication, and that the needs of counties and contracts are being met.
• Support the coordination of coaching internally and externally with County partners including County Leadership and Staff Development. 
• Support the Academy and CWDS vision and values by demonstrating your understanding of your everyday work product, interactions, and behaviors. 

PROGRAM SUPPORT (25%)

• Participate in planning for the integration of new Federal and State initiatives and regulations in anticipation of the impact on Child Welfare in the Southern region.
• When available and budget allows, attend training and conferences for personal development and provide a report of information gathered/learned upon your return.
• Follow policy and procedure and complete travel and other work-related reimbursements in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Provide as a subject matter expert a set number of workforce development deliveries per FY on various topics.
• Participate in the review of and/or development of workforce development deliveries and curriculum.
• Attend internal meetings and committees to support program and Academy-wide communication, culture, and functioning. 
• Provide input and support for hiring, observing, and reviewing external contractors as needed.
• Provide input and support for hiring and onboarding new employees. 
• Lead, assist, or participate in special projects and committees as needed, when appropriate, and as designated/specified by the leadership team.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence.
• Travel to off-site locations for Academy and Program meetings (primarily in Riverside and San Diego).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities 
• Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop solutions 
• Ability to independently interpret a wide variety of complex policies and procedures integral to the program/project to which the position is assigned
• Ability to carry out assignments without detailed instructions
• Ability to plan, coordinate and  initiate actions necessary to implement group decisions, strong leadership, organizational development, and administrative skills
• Ability to coordinate work projects, determine priorities, set deadlines, and complete work accordingly; and draw logical conclusions and resulting program implications
• Ability to work in a team setting & relate well to others within the Academy for Professional Excellence environment
• Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels of the organization
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, partners, and professionals
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to display organization and to meet deadlines 
• Ability to display good judgment and common sense
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ability to work with standard office software packages for correspondence, data collection, and accurate reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in appropriate field related to the program/project
  -OR- 
• Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
  
  
• Six (6) years of experience related to the program/project.
• Three (3) years of experience providing coaching or training.
  
  (A masters' degree may be substituted for years of experience, up to two years)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the practice and implementation of Child Welfare Key Initiatives
• Master’s degree in an appropriate field related to human services.
• Three years of experience in the role of a facilitator or a coach providing 1-1 development, in which you have engaged others in a critical thinking process by asking questions and focusing on the process as it relates to an outcome.
• Experience in the practice and implementation of coaching.
• Five years of experience planning and coordinating projects and deliverables.
• Two years experience as a trainer, facilitator, and/or curriculum developer.
• Experience working within and developing procedures.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with SDSU Research Foundation.
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer.