TARSS Training Specialist

Position Overview

The Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) within the Institute of Child Development is seeking a Training Specialist for the Trainer and Relationship-Based Professional Development Specialist Support (TARSS) program.

The person for this role has extensive experience working in childcare programming, especially in the areas of training delivery and planning. This individual will work closely with the TARSS Project Manager and TARSS Curriculum Specialist to organize, coordinate, and maintain the DCYF curriculum library. This individual will also develop and lead additional projects serving the Trainer and RBPD Specialist community, especially in the areas of training and event delivery. Activities include supporting the continuous improvement plan aimed at enhancing course content; developing support processes for course writers; and working with the TARSS team to meet deliverables outlined in the work plan. This person will work closely with the TARSS Project Manager and the TARSS team to design, implement, and evaluate these projects.

CEED serves as an intellectual home for high-quality, cutting-edge research and evaluation in the early childhood workforce, including research-to-practice on multiple early childhood related topics, professional development and program quality for early childhood professionals, workforce issues in early childhood, and evaluation of early childhood programming. Competitive applicants will have a track record of leading early childhood training and course development, demonstrated experience supporting other professionals within early childhood programming, demonstrated experience creating and disseminating professional development, extensive experience with the Develop data system, and experience contributing to reports. This position will report to Tamara Masters, PhD, TARSS Project Manager, Center for Early Education and Development.

The individual in this position works under an annually renewable contract contingent upon performance and available funding. This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

The University of Minnesota is a national leader in research, education, and outreach. This position would add to that mission by being a part of the research-to-practice arm of the number one developmental psychology program in the nation. The individual in this role will join a vibrant team working on several exciting research-to-practice opportunities. This role is classified under Professional and Administrative (P&A) at the university, which provides excellent benefits and opportunities to partner with internal and external early childhood faculty, researchers, and organizations.

Job Responsibilities

Project Oversight (75%)

• Serve as a training specialist in a statewide childcare training and RBPD specialist support (TARSS) project
• Create, modify, maintain, and disseminate online and in-person learning opportunities for adult learners
• Contribute and implement at least one statewide conference per year
• Support the day-to-day operations and collaborate with the team to
• implement project deliverables
• Support and train groups of trainers to develop high-quality early childhood training events for child care professionals
• Coordinate with external partners
• Collaborate with team members to collect, analyze, and report program data

Collaboration with Team (25%)

• Work closely with the TARSS Project Manager and the rest of the TARSS project personnel to develop and implement project deliverables
• Participate in meetings to generate new ideas to meet future project goals
• Attend professional conferences, colloquia, and symposia
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in early childhood development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, social work, human development, psychology, or a closely related field plus at least five or more years of related professional experience as a trainer, course/curriculum developer, and/or consultant within early childhood programming, or master's degree plus at least three years of related experience.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Experience leading projects or programs in early childhood
• Experience with adult learning and training
• Experience developing and disseminating online and in-person content
• Ability to maintain data confidentiality
• Willingness and ability to travel within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and to other statewide locations.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a professional manner; prompt, can complete duties in a timely and responsible manner; works well under pressure and can follow appropriate channels of response.
• Evidence of success in leading a team of people to meet project objectives and deliverables
• Demonstrated success in working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in early childhood development, child psychology, early childhood education, early childhood special education, social work, human development, psychology, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of the Minnesota early care and education training delivery system.
• Direct practice/work experience with infants, young children, and families
• Demonstrated experience working on large-scale projects
• Demonstrated skills in interpersonal communication, administrative leadership, project management, and team building
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in working with community partners, such as child care programs, non-profit organizations that serve diverse families with young children, local schools, state and local health, human service, and education agencies, and other community-based organizations supporting families at risk

Department Overview

The Institute of Child Development (ICD) at the University of Minnesota has long been a premier center for scholarship, teaching, and outreach devoted to the understanding and fostering of child development. Founded in 1925, the Institute is one of the oldest departments studying children's development in the United States. From its inception, a key tenet of the department has been to "give away" child psychology. This philosophy has created an environment rich with collaborations, new ideas, and exciting interdisciplinary work. The ICD is housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and has an undergraduate program within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, 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 life. 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.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $59,500 - $62,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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.

This position will remain open until filled.

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.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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).