Specialist Trainer, Learning & Practice

Arlington, VA • Student Supports • Posted 09/17/2024

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WHO WE ARE

In 2020, 11.6 million children in the U.S.—16% of all children nationwide—lived in poverty, and those children were disproportionately children of color. Students living in poverty often have physical and mental health, social-emotional, cognitive, and identity development needs that schools are not equipped to support. Rooted in community for more than 45 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. CIS Co-Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that transform children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children.”

Bill Milliken’s vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff imbedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves approximately 3,700 schools, the overwhelming majority are Title I-eligible schools across two channels: (1) independent affiliates and (2) licensed partnerships. Grounded in the power of transformative relationships to unlock a young person’s potential, CIS has a national, research-based history of delivering local results that support improved student relationships with adults, better-quality relationships with peers, and increased engagement and sense of belonging. These outcomes lead to improved attendance, improved academic success, and improved on-time high school graduation rates. In 2021, the overall CIS enterprise had revenue of $330 million, including roughly $300 million within its 110 independent affiliates. This nationwide network is supported by the CIS National Office.

MISSION AND VALUES

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do.

‘Within the national office, we foster a culture inspired by our mission, our values of integrity, accountability, equity, collaboration, and excellence, and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:

• We acknowledge contributions and perspectives.
• We collaborate across roles and departments.
• We honor a whole-person approach and encourage balance.

We aim to create a psychologically safe environment where relationships matter, and mutual respect is paramount.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Specialist (Trainer), Learning & Practice is responsible for supporting the Leadership Development portfolio of work within the Learning & Practice Office, including the activation of leadership development programs, core curriculum training, targeted supports, and CIS network coaching opportunities to advance the leadership development of program managers.

The Specialist (Trainer) will work closely with the Learning & Practice team to build their understanding of the individual and organizational learning needs as well as CIS core content areas, including the CIS model of integrated student supports, Developmental Relationships, and the Program Manager Leadership Development Program. The Specialist (Trainer) will develop, deliver, and facilitate virtual and in-person training to CIS organizations.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively and cross-functionally with the Learning & Practice, Organizational Health and Strategic Investment teams to identify organizations in need of additional support. Conduct outreach to identified CIS organizations, facilitate coaching calls, and prepare professional organization and team communication documents including emails and agreements.
• Provide CIS organizations with supports aligned with their identified needs and goals such as technical assistance with action plan development, office hours, CIS Connect engagement opportunities and referrals to resources.
• Develop, design, and deliver engaging in-person and virtual learning programs covering core and enhancement CIS topics that meet identified organizational needs. Create learning plans, training materials and evaluations using CIS-developed objectives that can be modified based on learner needs.
• Create evaluation tools and processes to help determine program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with other Learning & Practice team as well as Student Support Department initiatives as needed.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required skills & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) in education, social work, instructional design, or another related field.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in learning and development.
• Proficient in applying adult learning theory principles to both synchronous and asynchronous training development and delivery.
• Experience facilitating virtual meetings using platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools like Monday.com.
• Skilled in delivering content clearly and professionally to both in-person and virtual audiences.
• Comfortable and confident speaking before groups.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including editing.
• Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, time management, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to think critically and manage multiple tasks and competing priorities effectively.
• Self-starter with a strong focus on detail.
• Highly adaptable and flexible in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent teamwork and collaboration abilities.
• Interest in working with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 40% is required including travel in the domestic United States with overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate.

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.