Director of Professional Development

About FirstSteps

The FirstSteps Team is inspired by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. To that end, our mission is twofold: to provide the best evidence-based, behavior analytic treatment to our children diagnosed with autism and related learning differences, and to offer a positive, collaborative, and dynamic work experience for our team. We are steadfastly committed to ongoing training and mentorship of our employees, always motivated to support the next generation of clinical leaders in our field and at FirstSteps. Our greatest reward is witnessing the rapid and joyful learning of our little ones and knowing that together, we are creating more happy days for the kids and families we serve.

The Director of Professional Development (DPD) oversees the design, delivery, and continuous enhancement of all clinical training programs, from new instructors to Regional Clinic Directors. In collaboration with the Chief Clinical Officer and Development Team, the DPD creates content, evaluates training effectiveness, solves for performance gaps, and manages learning and professional development experiences for all clinical positions that reflect company values and drive clinical excellence throughout the organization. 

 

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS  

As directed and in collaboration with the FirstSteps Chief Clinical Officer: 

Assess, Develop, Improve & Assist with Delivery of Ongoing FirstSteps Clinical Training Programs  

Trainings Across Clinical Positions: 

• Ongoing Assessment/evaluation of current trainings across measures of learning outcomes, efficiencies (time and financial), training integrity across locations, and KPIs 

• Development and implementation of training solutions to address deficits or gaps in either the delivery or content of training  

• Ongoing content development to ensure training programs are dynamic and always reflect best practice, including new research and development initiatives by CCO, and represent FirstSteps mission and values. 

• Create systems to track, manage, and evaluate frequency and impact of ongoing trainings 

• Utilize and improve FirstSteps LMS including the development of skill labs across all clinical roles 

• Deliver advanced clinical training for select team member groups 

Coaching, Supervision, Management, and Evaluation of Training Team 

FirstSteps employs on-site Regional Training Managers in each office location who are responsible for effective and efficient management and delivery of the Initial Instructor Training, NCI Training, and Lead Instructor Training as well as Clinical Coaching of new hires in their first 90 days of employment.  

As the Direct Report to RTMs, the DPD will: 

• Assess each RTM’s impact as determined by direct observation, monitoring of process and procedural competency, survey data, and analysis of clinical staff performance over time. 

• Design and keep current RTM Manual / Sharepoint Site 

• Provide additional training and support to trainers as needed to improve their performance 

• Hire, Promote, Terminate as needed to achieve company clinical standards and KPIs 
• Keep RTM Performance Records in ADP current and complete 

Legal & Ethical Duties  

• Develop trainings and performance standards that are sensitive and responsive to DEI objectives 

• Ensure all training meets or exceeds minimum standards developed by the BACB 

• Ensure all training includes BACB’s ethical standards 

• Ensure all training and standards developed are consistent with California and federal employment laws (e.g., breaks, DEI protections, PTO, etc.) 

• Represent FirstSteps values and excellence at FirstSteps and with outside educational/ p