This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on June 26, 2025.

The starting salary range for this position is $5,891.00 - $6,540.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

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 approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With five programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

Under the Workforce Development Programs Division, the Workforce Innovations Program is responsible for the general oversight of the integration of workforce development and instructional design innovations into the services provided by the Academy’s Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) program, instructional design project management, and curriculum writing projects funded by the California Department of Social  Services (CDSS). This program works in close partnership with SDSU’s Instructional Technology Services (ITS), the Academy’s Learning Experience Design (LXD) Manager, CWDS Director, CalAcademies, California Workforce Innovation and Support in Education (CalWISE), and other state partners. 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Workforce Innovations Project Manager, the Workforce Development Specialist in collaboration with all members of CalWISE, will actively take part in a project to provide consultation and Subject Matter Expertise (SME) to guide planning, development, and implementation of a Lived Experts Program in both content and modality of training, with a lens of best practice, instructional creativity, and worker retention. The Workforce Development Specialist will develop curricula that meet the needs of Child Welfare Services partners and leverage their lived expertise. The Workforce Development Specialist works closely with CWDS staff and county and state partners to engage in needs assessments to ensure curricula and program development meet partner needs. The role also includes responsibilities for the facilitation of workforce development deliveries and meetings. As a new position in the organization, the position may evolve to further support the needs of CWDS, the Academy, and the needs of Child Welfare Services partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40-hour-a-week remote 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 evenings. This position is based in California with a regular on-site work location at the Academy for Professional Excellence’s San Diego office. 

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently working to update employee classifications. This position may be subject to a future classification change, however, this does not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position.

The percentages of time listed below may shift based on the needs of the Workforce Innovations Program, customer needs, and contractual obligations.  

PROJECT MANAGEMENT (40%)

• Support the integration of lived experts and lived experience into the CWDS' work to include, but is not limited to:
• Support of lived experts who partner with CWDS.
• Training and development of lived expert who partner with the CWDS program.
• Training and development of CWDS and AcademyStaff regarding partnership with lived experts.
• Liaison to lived experts in the communities and customers we serve.
• Develop strategies to:
• Enhance how CWDS partners with lived experts.
• Center the expertise of those with lived experience in the development of curriculum and delivery of our services.
• Integrate the voices of individuals into our services (For example, exploring the establishment of a collaborative advisory board or panel).
• Develop policies, processes, and workflow based on the strategies you help us develop (see above dot point).
• Update, revise, and adapt existing curricula (standardized and non-standardized) to fit the skill and knowledge of the learners, including facilitation guides and PowerPoint presentations, leveraging their lived expertise. 
• In collaboration with all CalWISE members, provide consultation and Subject Matter Expertise (SME) to guide the planning, development, and implementation of innovation in both content and modality of training, with a lens of best practice, instructional creativity, and worker retention.
• Participate in and represent the Academy for Professional Excellence in statewide and internal committee(s) as appropriate to facilitate and inform curriculum development and revision projects.
• Project manage the development, revision, and piloting of curriculum (this may include curricula for classroom-based or virtual training, coaching, webinars, podcasts, micro-learning, and/or eLearning to ensure compliance with the contract/scope of work).
• Develop and strengthen relationships with CWDS Staff, partners, and curriculum writers through email and virtual communication to address needs, concerns, and questions.
• Communicate with the Academy, CWDS, and statewide evaluation teams to remain apprised of macro evaluation methodology and ensure we are developing quality curricula (per Academy standards). 

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (40%)

• Engage in robust needs assessments with all partners, this may include reviewing data, best practices, research, and/or running focus groups.
• Develop, design, write, update, revise, and adapt existing curricula (standardized and non-standardized) to fit the skill and knowledge of the learners, including but not limited to facilitation guides and PowerPoint presentations.
• Develop knowledge of and stay abreast of evidence-based practice and diversity, equity, and inclusion needs related to workforce development and ensure our curriculum aligns with these practices.
• Develop knowledge of and stay abreast of state and federal best practices in public child welfare, adult learning theory, workforce development, and implementation.
• Inform curriculum evaluation design and implementation through collaboration with Academy Evaluation leads and CalWISE Evaluation partners.
• Engage in professional development opportunities and integrate learning into project management and curriculum writing processes.
• Review and provide feedback on curriculum and training delivery.

PROGRAM SUPPORT (10%)

• Work collaboratively with CWDS teams to advance organizational goals. Attend regularly scheduled meetings across teams. (Ex. LXD, LMS, Fiscal, Evaluation)
• Support program and Academy-wide communication, culture, and functioning. 
• Follow policy and procedure and complete travel and other reimbursements promptly and accurately.
• Project manage, assist, or participate in special projects and committees as needed, when appropriate, and as designated/specified by the Workforce Development Programs leadership team.
• Demonstrate strong facilitation skills when running meetings and committees and managing projects.
• Attend statewide committee meetings as assigned (travel may be required) and represent Southern CA counties and Academy perspectives in reviewing statewide requirements for curriculum development.

• Maintain a general understanding of Southern CA County's specific Agency needs through a review of Agency SIPs (System Improvement Plans) and individual County initiatives, policies, and procedures as needed.

FACILITATION (5%)

• Pilot and support the implementation of curricula for the Southern region of CA. 
• Prepare and deliver virtual and in-person classes and training as needed. 
• Develop agendas, convene workgroups, and facilitate workgroup meetings as needed. 

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 (KSAs)

• Knowledge of California’s Child Welfare Common Core 3.5 and Supervisor Core
• Knowledge of child welfare practices and business culture
• 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 meet deadlines 
• Ability to display good judgment and critical thinking skills 
• 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

• Knowledge of adult learning theory concepts and current workforce development trends
• Ability to develop curricula in a variety of modalities
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities

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.
  
  
• Three (3) years of previous experience related to the program/project.
• One (1) year of experience leading or coordinating a program within the industry and/or supervising employees.
  
  (A master's degree may be substituted for years of experience, up to two years)

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience with planning, coordinating, and developing workforce development curricula and tools. 

• Experience partnering or collaborating with a child welfare services program, health services, human services, and/or social services for a public agency (for example: state or county health and/or human services agency).

• Master's degree in Social Work or a related field

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.