Training and Development Specialist II

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. 

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Training Specialist II performs routine training work designed to ensure employees are effectively trained in the core and specialty competencies required for their position. Work involves planning, designing, organizing, conducting and evaluating educational and training programs. Trains new employees during New Employee Orientation, conducts Refresher Training for employees and serves as a liaison to all departments and programs of the facility.  Assignments, products, tools, equipment and procedures are specified by HHSC Facility Support Services Competency Training Department, but the trainer can exercise creativity in the selection of procedures and/or methods used to accomplish tasks and to make the training interactive and interesting for trainees. Completion of work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria or developing new methods of teaching information of a routine nature as needed. The Training Specialist II works under the general supervision of the Facility Competency and Training Department (FCTD) Director and assists other trainers in class-type settings including training other trainers as needed.  Must understand that duties, location of job assignments, and shift patterns are subject to change as determined by the administration to meet the needs of the facility.  Employee actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Plans, organizes, and conducts training classes as assigned in group class -type settings or computer lab environments to include New Hire Orientation, refresher training and continuing education classes to ensure trainees' competency. Evaluates employee competencies and skills as outlined in policy and/or course requirements. Acts as a substitute trainer for other FCTD team members in case of absences to ensure constant delivery of training classes when scheduled.

Promotes training quality and effectiveness; customizes HHS FCTD standardized training to increase trainee perception of relevance to the facility's environment and uses creativity and/or other training techniques to inject interactivity and interest to increase trainee engagement and retention of training modules; ensures all aspects of training support the delivery of services to the facility's patients and/or clients while providing safety for the employee.

Maintains accurate and complete training records as required in order to correctly document staff training and to develop and provide reports of training due or delinquent.   Ensures proper attendance records are completed for all assigned classes and submitted to the appropriate FCTD team member and/or entered in all applicable record-keeping systems.

Assists with FCTD team's development of curriculum materials, including multimedia presentations, as needed for classes in order to utilize all available resources including state-of-the-art techniques in training. Demonstrates an awareness of safety and infection control practices to ensure safe work experiences. Maintains department equipment per guidelines so that equipment remains clean and in good repair.  Reports any problems with equipment in a timely manner.

Assist facility managers and other FCTD team members with identification of needed training and/or training issues arising in classes or identified by participants, and development of training responses to those needs or improvement of training delivery. Conducts post-orientation (on-the-job) training assessments once new employees have been trained in the residential setting, when needed, and completes required documentation. 

Maintains necessary certifications to teach assigned classes including specialty HHS classes developed for interaction with SSLC individuals such as trauma-informed care, response blocking (Ukeru) and Safe Use of Restraints (SUR) and/or general public response classes such as CPR.    Serves as a Master Trainer to train other trainers, as assigned. Serves as a subject matter expert on training curriculum.

Attends and participates in facility meetings as assigned to provide training perspectives, quality improvement recommendations or discussions of training for facility's programs, and reports of training statistics of the facility's employees. Conducts needs assessments and program assessments to determine training sufficiency and areas for improvement.

Performs other duties as assigned in order to ensure services are provided.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge, or ability to gain knowledge, of how to work with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Knowledge of training procedures/techniques and adult education principles and ability to apply these in curricula and learning objective development.

Skill and ability to provide effective and interesting instruction to large groups and in one to one situations. 

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written) with people with diverse backgrounds at all levels of the organization.

Ability to learn, teach and demonstrate skills related to assigned courses such as CPR, Ukeru, Safe Use of Restraints (SUR), and lifting.  

Ability to communicate orally and in writing with persons of diverse backgrounds, education levels, and  different learning styles.

Ability to teach and demonstrate skills related to intervention strategies.

Ability to support approximately 55 pounds in order to properly train how to properly and safely lift a person.

Ability to evaluate, develop and revise training programs.

Ability to use Windows based programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.

Ability to operate basic office equipment and audio/visual equipment.

Ability to work both within a team environment and independently. 

Ability to demonstrate good judgment and serve as a model for others in demonstrating the mission and values of HHSC.

Ability to work an alternate schedule as needed.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Within six months of hire date and maintained thereafter, certification as a CPR instructor per American Heart Association.

Initial Screening Criteria:

High school diploma or equivalent is required

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred

At least one (1) year of experience providing services to persons with developmental disabilities in an institutional/residential setting and/or paid experience facilitating/ conducting competency based training to employees or adult learners in a classroom or on-the-job setting is required.  Have both is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

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

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

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.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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 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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form