APS Training & Development Specialist V

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.  

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Functional Title: APS Training & Development Specialist V 
Job Title: Training & Dev Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Learning and Dev - CP 
Posting Number: 11941 
Closing Date: 12/24/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Education Training and Library 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 50% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: HOUSTON 
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST 
Other Locations: Austin; San Antonio 
MOS Codes: 0233,0277,0306,0577,0877,0911,0913,0914,0916,0917,0918,0919,0930,0931,0932,0933,0951,1230,5977,6077 
6177,6877,7077,7277,7377,7537,7577,8077,8802,8803,11Z,120X,121X,18Z,19Z,35Z,38FX,3F2X1,47A,47C,47D 
47E,47F,47G,47H,47J,47K,47L,47M,47N,47P,47Q,47R,47S,47T,47U,47V,47W,57A,70H,74D,81C0,81L0,81T0,82A0 
83R0,86M0,8B000,8B100,8B200,8T000,8T100,9H000,PERS,PS,SEI20,YN 

Brief Job Description:

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• training and development procedures and techniques.
• applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques to both a classroom and blended learning environment.
• learning management and learning content management systems.
• group processes, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations.

Skill in:

• instructing others and facilitating workshops.
• oral and written communication.
• using a computer and applicable software.
• applying training and adult education principles, practices, and techniques to both a classroom and blended learning environment.
• using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Ability to:

• communicate effectively.
• provide guidance and/or oversee the work of others.
• investigate and resolve matters of significance on behalf of management.
• provide consultation or expert advice to management.
• carry out major assignments in conducting the operations of the business.
• develop and maintain a collaborative approach and professional relationship with staff and all levels of leadership to include representatives from other divisions.
• maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Applicants for position must have a reliable motor vehicle, and acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance and license.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Minimum 3 years of recent (within past 5 years) experience as a caseworker or manager in APS Program or 2 years previous experience as a Learning and Development trainer with 3 years field experience.

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in social work, education, or a related field OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus four (4) years APS casework work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus 3 and half (3 1/2) years of APS casework work experience

• Experience in supervision within APS program preferred.

• Experience delivering classroom and/or distance learning training preferred.

Additional Information:

NA

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.