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Title: 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 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 Director of the ISU Simulation Training Academy will lead efforts in partnership with the ISU Principal Investigator 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 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 non-continuous, grant-funded position. The initial appointment ends with the current grant year. Appointment renewal for the following grant year will be based on available grant funding and performance.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$80,000-85,000

Required Qualifications

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

2. Professional leadership and management experience of 5-7 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. 5-7 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

Master of Social Work (MSW) or related M.S./M.A. in human service and/or health related degree (e.g. MPH; MSN)

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

Experience in curriculum development and/or implementation of child welfare/human service curricula.

Work Hours

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

Functional Expectations

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

January 2026

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 least three professional references), and resume/C.V. to attach to this application.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Doris M. Houston, Ph.D.
dmhous2@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.