Co-Director, Illinois State University, Child Protection Simulation Training Academy

Title: Co-Director, Illinois State University, Child Protection Simulation Training Academy
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Social Work
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Co-Director of the Child Protection Simulation Training Academy position will satisfy the requirements of Public Act 099-0348, that mandates Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to develop and operate training facilities that include mock home environments, mock medical facilities, mock courtrooms, and mock forensic interview rooms, for the purpose of simulated, interactive, and intensive training to all Illinois child protective investigators and their supervisors.

The Co-Director of the Simulation Training Academy at ISU will work in partnership with the ISU Supervising Principal Investigator (PI)/Co-Director, and the DCFS Office of Learning and Professional Development (OLPD) to advance Illinois DCFS’ experiential learning for child welfare professionals and the application of the DCFS core practice model, and other competencies emerging initiatives i.e. the Safe Practice Model. Additionally, the Co-Director of the Simulation Training Academy at ISU will work with DCFS and the PI to establish standards of competence that are integrated to support ease of adoption by professional staff. The University is committed to using this opportunity to support workforce stability and to use the simulation experience to promote skill development and confidence in early career professional development.

Additional Information

This is a part-time non-continuous, grant funded position. The initial appointment will end on June 30, 2025, the end of the current grant year. Appointment renewal for the following grant year will be based upon available grant funding and performance.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$50,000 - $60,000 annually

Required Qualifications

1. Master’s Degree in a human service, health, or social science field from an accredited college or university.

2. Professional leadership experience of ten or more years in one or more of the following settings:
• An Illinois public-sponsored, agency-based child welfare setting providing a combination of direct child welfare services including but not limited to child protection services, intact family services, permanency/foster care services
• An Illinois public-sponsored, health and human service-related organization providing a combination of direct health care, assessment, and/or social services.

3. 10 years or more of direct supervision of child welfare, social service, or healthcare delivery staff in the provision of and/or management of child welfare, social services, or health care services.

4. Experience in program design and/or implementation of evidence-based interventions and quality improvement.

5. Demonstrated capacity in successful program administration, staff supervision, working knowledge of organizational change management strategies.

6. Demonstrated capacity to lead and implement evidence-informed child welfare and/or health and human services staff training, experiential learning, simulations, and transfer of learning methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master of Social Work (MSW) or related M.S./M.A./M.S.N. in human service and/or health related degree

2. Experience with implementing and/or leading experiential simulation training programs/models

Work Hours

Generally Monday - Friday, with occasional weekend and evening hours as business needs dictate

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

October 2024

Required Applicant Documents

Resume / C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List - (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Initial application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All application materials must be submitted online. Application materials submitted via fax, email, or mail will not be accepted.

Please prepare in advance separate documents representing a cover letter, reference list (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at l