Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related field
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in social services, with at least three years of experience facilitating training or instruction
• Proven commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable learning environments that honor diverse identities and lived experiences
• Demonstrated ability to engage learners across a variety of styles, ensuring accessible and impactful training familiarity
• Receptive to feedback and coaching, with a track record of integrating guidance to continuously enhance performance
• Excellent communication skills, with an emphasis on clarity, responsiveness, and adaptability
• Strong collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams and with external partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) or a closely related field
• At least three years of direct professional experience and a minimum of three years delivering training in classroom or instructional settings
• Demonstrated proficiency in facilitating classroom-based training using adult education principles
• In-depth understanding of Minnesota’s child welfare system and family services, including policies, practices, and statewide initiatives
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Workspace (e.g. Docs, Sheets, Slides), and competence with current instructional technology (e.g., projectors, video conferencing platforms, learning management systems)

Position Overview

The Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) and Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX) community trainer role is a temporary or casual position within the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW). Trainers will deliver high-quality, culturally responsive, competency-based training to county and tribal child welfare professionals, as well as those working in related fields such as mental health, chemical and behavioral health, education, and legal systems.

Community trainers and curriculum writers are selected based on their expertise in core values and best practice models aligned with the assigned training topics, which follow the Minnesota Child Welfare framework for competent practice. Trainers are expected to deliver content as outlined in the approved curriculum. Training sessions are scheduled by CASCW in collaboration with the respective programs (PACC and PLX).

This position is temporary or casual and may be renewed for up to two years. Work hours and schedules will be determined by each program according to certificate needs. Trainings are held at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, located approximately two miles north of the University’s St. Paul Campus.

Please Note: We are always looking to connect with passionate and qualified individuals who align with our mission and values. This posting remains open to build a candidate pool of qualified individuals to fill openings when they occur. We encourage interested applicants to submit their materials.

Job Responsibilities
Classroom Training (75%)

• Facilitate interactive, multidisciplinary training experiences for child welfare and other social service professionals
• Engage with learners to foster meaningful professional development and support skill-building
• Apply adult learning principles to encourage critical thinking, peer exchange, and practical application of knowledge

Classroom Preparation (20%)

• Review and organize curriculum materials in advance of scheduled training sessions
• Familiarize and assess learner prerequisites and assigned coursework
• Set up training space, including arranging seating, configuring technology (e.g., computer and projector), and ensuring instructional materials are accessible
• Coordinate with program staff to confirm logistics, troubleshoot equipment, and provide an optimal learning environment

Training of Trainers/Feedback & Coaching (5%)

• Collaborate with PACC and/or PLX Coordinators in Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions to ensure consistent and effective curriculum delivery
• Engage in structured coaching and feedback sessions to enhance facilitation skills and strengthen training impact
• Proactively integrate coaching insights and recommendations into future training sessions to support continuous improvement and alignment with program goals
• Reflect on performance and learner engagement strategies to maintain a high standard of instructional quality

Institute Overview
The Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) is a new organizing structure housing several dynamic research and training entities, including The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). Each entity is grant-funded and self-sustaining. During an early phase of strategic planning for CASCW in 2024, the creation of the MICW emerged as an essential task to continue to support the growth and productivity of these entities while also continuing the mission of the School of Social Work and the College of Education and Human Development as it pertains to continued community service, growth, and innovation.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is a research and training center located within the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. CASCW supports the education and training of public child welfare professionals; identifies, and examines, effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into the School of Social Work curriculum.
Minn-LInK, an incredibly rich resource within the University and across the state of Minnesota, is an interdisciplinary, integrated, administrative data project used for research and evaluation projects aimed at understanding the experiences and outcomes of children, youth, and families who are multi-system involved. Minn-LInK staff provide research services to internal and external partners through grants and agreements.

The MNCWTA is a partnership between the University’s MICW and the MN Department of Child Youth and Family (DCYF). The MNCWTA is responsible for the training and professional development of Minnesota’s county and tribal child welfare frontline staff and supervisors. The mission is to train, develop, and support the skills, expertise, and well-being of Minnesota’s child welfare workforce while nurturing a commitment to equitable child welfare practice.

Department Overview
Founded in 1917 on its Dakota homeland, the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is part of a public, research-intensive university and one of seven administrative units in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The School offers several graduate and undergraduate educational programs including: a PhD in Social Work; a Master of Social Work; a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership; a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention, Social Justice, and Youth Studies. Underlying all these multidisciplinary programs is a social justice value base and a commitment to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our society. The curricula of our educational programs, and faculty research and engagement, intentionally seek to emphasize and expand anti-racist perspectives, social, economic and racial justice, and decolonization. The School is the home to a variety of labs and centers that actively involve our students, staff, faculty, and community partners, e.g., the Youth Work Learning Lab, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the Center for Practice Transformation, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, an innovative partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services that is funded by the state legislature to further develop equitable child welfare practices.

College Overview
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That’s why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).