Community Trainer: Child Welfare and the Law

Position Overview

The Community Trainer position (Temp/Casual, 0001) is a University employee positioned in the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) at the School of Social Work. CASCW has joined the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in a joint project to co-create and operate the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). The Community Trainer serves as a critical member of the integrated teams of DHS and the University. This position is responsible for using the MNCWTA curriculum to train child protection workers in Minnesota to ensure a competent workforce for the children and families in the state.

This non-benefits eligible position will work a variety of hours (depending on the scheduling and trainer availability) over the course of the year and will fill out timesheets for the hours worked. Typically, training schedules are set six months in advance.

As a part of New Worker Foundations training, as mandated for all new hires to county child protection agencies, MNCWTA also provides training for workers at all levels of experience to further their knowledge and skill in topics of particular relevance to their practice. One of these particularly relevant topics is Child Welfare and the Law. The topic is a module within our New Worker training and will also be a Specialty Course.

We are currently looking for applicants for all of our Regional Locations.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

Job Responsibilities

Coordination 100%

Session 6: Child Welfare and the Law and Simulation III

The simulation is designed to give learners an opportunity to apply skills learned in the Child Welfare and the Law training, including how to prepare and deliver statements in court. This simulation is based around court preparation, with trainers filling the roles of judge, county attorney, and parent attorney. Learners will participate in a simulated 90 Day review hearing, offering updates and answering questions from the judge and/or attorneys. Learners will be encouraged to collaborate with their fellow learners and the county attorney to craft statements. This will also act as an experiential simulation to help learners understand what it feels like to participate in a hearing.

Session 6 begins with a self-paced training, followed by one virtual instructor-led training and one in-person instructor-led training, followed by Simulation III.

• Training 1: topics include foundational concepts of child welfare and the law, meeting professional and legal expectations, and the court process
• Training 2: topics include how policies and procedures may sometimes have adverse effects and a critical examination of the child welfare worker's role within the child welfare system
• Training 3: topics include how to prepare for court within the role as a child welfare worker and how they will be expected to participate in the court process
• Simulation III: Court Preparation

Topics Covered: Reviewing Case Documents, Preparing and Delivering Statements in Court, Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Colleagues

Required Qualifications

• Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• One or more years of experience with cases pertaining to child welfare and/or child protection matters
• Established commitment to diversity and cross-cultural communication
• Ability to facilitate this course and navigate challenging conversations related to assessment policy and difficult situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Child welfare expertise
• Understanding of state/tribal social services
  

Department Overview

Founded in 1917, 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. The School offers a number of educational programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels 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 minors in Family Violence Prevention, Youth Studies, and Social Justice. For more information please visit: http://www.socialwork.umn.edu.

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. For further information: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/about/default.html.

Pay Range: $40-$80; depending on candidate's experience/skills and successful completion of requirements before moving to full Community Trainer status.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. 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.

To be considered for this position, the following materials are required:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae

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.

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).