Associate Director, IDCFS Simulations

Description: The School of Human Sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale seeks applicants for Associate Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) Simulations. This is a full-time 12-month, term appointment with renewal contingent upon job performance and programmatic need. The primary function of the Associate Director of IDCFS CPTA Simulations: Responsible for providing coaching, support and training before and during the simulation experience to child welfare staff, inclusive of new and veteran investigators, placement workers, and intact workers. This will include facilitating debriefing for simulations, as well as providing an orientation to roles.

Examples of Duties

• Provide training to support the preparation of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Investigators, IDCFS and private sector Intact and Permanency staff in the classroom for the simulation education experience and work collaboratively with IDCFS and University training facilitators to synthesize Foundations information learned in classroom as into skill based experiential learning. Provide coaching, support, and debriefs with learning participants during residential, mock medical/multi-purpose lab, and courtroom simulations, such as: Modeling examples of strength-based feedback.
• Ensuring learning participants’ skills are reflected on in a safe learning environment, reviewing learning participants’ concerns and discussing organic questions in the moment. Ensure learning participants utilize and adhere to rules and procedures. Modeling examples of suggested phrases to complete investigative or casework process, modeling examples of how to address safety concerns and how to mitigate, provide coaching and support to trainers and actors as needed during simulation week. Provide training to trainers on areas of need: Training of the Trainers, Onboarding and Delivery of Foundations material.
• Classroom Management and Skills Building Specific to investigation, intact and permanency foundational topics. Support trainers in the classroom as needed, modeling classroom management and delivery of content. Assist the Director with day-to-day programmatic operations during times of vacation or absence.
• Research, review, and report on latest laws, procedure changes, professional information, and literature as it applies to curriculum needs.
• Collaborate in the development and design of new curricula needs and integrating supporting research into content, training manuals, handouts, PowerPoints, etc.
• Work with Simulation Logistics Coordinator, Director, Office of Learning and Professional Development (OLPD) and other IDCFS University Partners to develop new character profiles for new simulation trainings.
• Prepare/stage and/or ensure residential labs, mock court room, and mock medical/multi-purpose lab for simulations; Organizes and collaborates with Simulation Logistics Coordinator and Director to ensure actors and simulation court and medical volunteers and/or subcontractors and learning participants effectively complete all simulation experience tasks.
• Work collaboratively with IDCFS, University Partners, and stakeholders in providing input and completing assigned tasks as it pertains to the relevance and mission of the IDCFS’ ongoing use of simulations. Endorse and educate the community and outside interests on the mission and goals of the workforce development of the IDCFS.
• As directed, serves in the absence of the IDCFS CTPA Simulations Program Director to ensure programs are delivered and required meetings and program reporting is covered.
• Attend other IDCFS trainings as identified by OLPD and required trainings designated by the University.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in human services from an accredited college or university by date of hire.
• At least 4 years combined experience in IDCFS public agency or IDCFS private sector child welfare contract agency-based setting providing direct child welfare casework including Child Protection Services, Intact Family services, Permanency/Placement/Foster Care services. All experience must be in the provision of or administration of public-sponsored direct services provided to children and families receiving services from IDCFS or its IDCFS private sector partner agencies.
• Minimum of 3 years in IDCFS or private sector contract agency direct service child welfare supervision and/or direct service child welfare program administration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work.
• IDCFS Child Welfare Employee Licensure.
• 2 years of university teaching experience, or previous trainer/facilitation experience is preferred in child welfare or related human service organizations.

Supplemental Information: Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a Carnegie Doctoral Research University offering 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master’s degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit: https://jobs.siu.edu/.

Job Contact: Sarah Buila, sdbuila@siu.edu

SIU Carbondale, member of the SIU System, is an anti-racist community that opposes racism, discrimination and inequity in any form, and embraces diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice for all people.

SIU Carbondale is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.