APS Training & Development Specialist V

Training and Development Specialist V is responsible for facilitating engaging and effective training sessions in both virtual and in-person classroom settings. This role focuses on delivering content which supports workforce development, enhances employee knowledge and performance, and aligns with agency goals and adult learning principles. The trainer ensures consistent, high-quality delivery of standardized curriculum, fosters interactive learning environments, and adapts training techniques to meet diverse learner needs across the state. Trainers provide real-time verbal feedback and guidance to participants to support skill application and knowledge retention. Additionally, trainers collaborate with instructional designers and program leadership to ensure training remains current, relevant, and aligned with organizational goals. Trainers also perform guiding activities such as grading assignments, providing critical written feedback, and coordinating with leadership to implement action plans that promote increased success. The position plays a key role in building agency capacity, supporting staff development, and promoting consistent, high-quality service delivery across the state.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
* Delivers training in a classroom, distance learning environment, or, occasionally, in an eLearning environment.
* Delivers instructor-led training sessions for DFPS employees across statewide offices and virtual platforms, ensuring alignment with DFPS standards and engaging participants through real-world application scenarios.
* Leads virtual refresher and compliance training for seasoned staff statewide to reinforce policy updates and practice shifts, adapting facilitation style and tools to the needs of remote learners.
* Coordinates targeted workshops in person and online, focusing on emerging trends, often tailoring content on the spot based on audience background. Organizes and prepares materials and supplies for training courses such as notebooks, handouts, flip-charts, projectors, or laptops.
* Prepares classroom and virtual training environments for all DFPS staff audiences by coordinating logistics, printing participant materials, and ensuring equipment, technology, and virtual platforms are functional before each session to promote a seamless learning experience. Sets up and arranges training room to support the learning objective.
* Prepares in-person and virtual training environments by arranging seating, configuring technology, and organizing instructional tools to promote active participation and align with the training objective for diverse DFPS roles.
* Collaborates with trainers and instructional designers to define physical or digital room layouts that enhance interaction and content delivery, using feedback to adjust training design for future sessions. Enters data into a training database.
* Inputs attendance records, training completions, and evaluation scores into DFPS’s learning management system after each session to ensure accurate tracking of staff development across all DFPS programs. Maintains training records and training calendars, including course rosters and records of participation.
* Maintains up-to-date training calendars, rosters, and attendance for all DFPS staff sessions, ensuring accurate scheduling and documentation of participation to support compliance with the required training standards.
* Manages digital course participation records and module access logs through the agency’s learning management system to support data integrity and identify follow-up needs for staff completing asynchronous training. Compile data and prepare reports.
* Tracks attendance, participation, and learner evaluations from instructor-led sessions to compile reports Serve as a professional resource for employees and managers regarding training programs and promotes the use of training services.
* Advises DFPS employees and managers on available training offerings, helping them identify sessions that meet their professional development needs and ensuring they understand how to access and register for courses.
* Responds to staff inquiries about training content.
* Provides technical guidance to DFPS staff employees and supervisors navigating online training platforms, and answering questions related to eLearning access and completion tracking. Promote the use of training services.
* Build relationships with employees and supervisors during sessions by sharing available learning resources, upcoming classes, and tips for ongoing growth, helping staff see training as a valuable tool. Coordinate training events by determining and securing date, time, location, facilitator, and number of participants, and maintain training schedules.
* Communicates live training events for DFPS staff including session information such as the secured date, time, and location information.
* Maintains participant rosters to ensure seamless execution and maximum participation. Facilitate workshops and meetings.
* Leads in-person and virtual workshops for DFPS staff and leaders, guiding discussions, activities, and debriefs to promote engagement and reinforce learning objectives. Analyze training content for accessibility and recommend changes to remediate accessibility issues.
* Reviews draft and existing training materials to ensure they meet accessibility standards, such as font, readability, alt text, color contrast, and closed captioning, and collaborates to revise content accordingly. Develop curricula, course outlines, instructional methods, training aids, manuals, and other instructional materials and products.
* Contributes to the development of supplemental training aids, such as role-play scenarios, discussion guides, and job aids, based on real-time classroom observations and feedback to enhance learner engagement and skill application. Collect data to help evaluate and analyze training needs and training effectiveness.
* Collects feedback from participants through post-session evaluations and facilitator observations.
* Identifies trends in learner performance, program feedback, and policy changes to inform the design of new or revised curriculum.
* Monitors completion status, and knowledge check scores from the learning management system. Analyze training content for accessibility; and recommend changes to make content accessible and remediate accessibility issues.
* Analyzes classroom and virtual training presentations for accessibility and provides real-time accommodations or follow-up materials, such as large-print handouts or transcripts. Prepare articles for in-house publications.
* Writes articles highlighting updates to training content, curriculum launches, and best practices for DFPS internal newsletters to keep staff informed and engaged.
* Prepares summaries of successful training events and staff development initiatives for internal publications, recognizing staff participation and promoting the value of professional growth. Participate in planning and developing specialized training, staff development, and continuing education programs, and occasionally customized and technology-based training.
* Provides input on curriculum design and delivery strategies based on learner feedback and classroom experience, helping shape future sessions and improve the impact of continuing education programs. Research, develop, review, and assess training programs and materials, and recommend modifications as appropriate.
* Research best practices in adult learning to develop and refine training materials for DFPS staff, regularly reviewing content for accuracy and recommending updates to reflect policy or practice changes.
* Assesses classroom and virtual training effectiveness based on participant engagement and feedback, identifying areas for improvement and recommending updates to better meet learner needs and program goals. Review and implement training programs, policies, and procedures.
* Implement training sessions in accordance with established DFPS procedures, ensuring all instructional activities, materials, and evaluations follow approved program guidelines. Participate in solving training problems and ensuring the effective use of modern training methods and techniques.
* Identifies challenges in learner engagement or participation during training sessions and applies modern facilitation methods, such as scenario-based learning or peer discussion, to enhance effectiveness. Perform training needs assessments to guide training interventions and course development.
* Gathers feedback from participants and facilitators during sessions to identify areas where additional instruction or reinforcement is needed, informing adjustments to future training offerings. Design and review course and instructor evaluations for use in enhancing training programs.
* Designs and reviews facilitator evaluations that capture feedback on instructional style, clarity, and engagement, then trains staff to implement changes that enhance the learner experience. Plan, design, and develop methods for the assessment and evaluation of training effectiveness.
* Implement training evaluations during and after classroom or virtual sessions, collecting data on participant engagement and knowledge retention to assess facilitation effectiveness. Develop policies and procedures for training programs.
* Adheres to standardized procedures for scheduling, facilitating, and documenting in-person and virtual training events, ensuring consistent implementation and compliance with DFPS training expectations. Evaluate, recommend, and plan supplemental training programs with private employers and state or federal agencies. Performs related work as assigned.