Specialist, Quality Assurance & Training in Chicago, Illinois at Heartland Human Care Services

Title: Quality Assurance & Training Specialist

Location: 2732 N. Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60647

Schedule: Monday to Friday (8:30 am - 5:00 pm)

Summary:

Under the general guidance of the Program director, the Quality Assurance and Training Specialist oversees policy development, quality improvement, and staff training within the Saura Center. The Quality Assurance and Training Specialist is responsible for developing and updating curricula, conducting and tracking new-hire orientation and ongoing training requirements, writing and editing program policies to ensure adherence to organizational and stakeholder standards, conducting ongoing quality improvement assessments and analysis, and assisting with other tasks as needed. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.

The Quality Assurance and Training Specialist leverages industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of Heartland Human Care Services. Supports culture development and management efforts.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking education and career pathways.
• Collaborate with a diverse and passionate team dedicated to the mission and vision of our organization.
• Providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and expertise.

Our Benefits:

• Medical insurance. BCBS PPO, EPO, and HSA Plans
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) 3% Employer Contribution.
• Paid maternity leave.
• Paid paternity leave.
• Commuter benefits.
• Disability insurance
• FSA Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Special Vendor Discounted Offerings on Travel, Amusement Parks, etc.

Essential Functions:

Duties & Responsibilities

Instructional Design:

• Researches and serves as a subject matter expert on relevant topics including organizational rules and processes, new laws, industry knowledge, and current training materials, techniques, and strategies.
• Conducts and analyzes training needs assessments with the programs and develops/updates annual training calendar, lesson plans, and curriculum based on results.
• Develops online trainings and resources as needed.

Staff Training and Development:

• Helps staff improve upon or enhance existing skills and understand new policy changes.
• Prepares and conducts training for staff.
• Facilitates New Employee Orientation (NEO) for new staff.
• Ensures all Saura staff is current on trainings and certifications. Responds to the ongoing training needs of the program as identified, including any new policy changes.
• Obtains and maintains required trainer certifications as needed (e.g. CPI, CPR/First Aid, etc.)
• Researches and identifies new opportunities and resources for external trainings, workshops, or seminars appropriate for professional development of HHCS staff.
• Develops, implements and evaluates training programs and policy, systems and environmental change interventions designed to support behavior change knowledge transfer.

Quality Assurance:

• Performs periodic audits and reviews to ensure that polices/documents which are presented in trainings have been consistently implemented and are being utilized appropriately.
• Prepares appropriate internal and external reports in a regular and timely manner, collecting data to inform recommendations provided to site leadership
• Coordinates and is present for audits by external agencies to ensure compliance and troubleshoot any issues.

• Regularly reviews and assists with revisions of existing policies as needed to ensure ongoing compliance with changing needs.
• Participates in organizational policy development and ensures organizational policies are followed within their specific program.

Community Engagement:

• Collaborates with community providers on a local and national level to coordinate trainings for the Youth and Residential Programs.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with Directors, Managers and staff within all SAFEty programs.
• Attends program and agency wide meetings, as requested.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or a social services field preferred, or equivalent experience with youth or in a social services setting.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience conducting training/presentations for groups of various sizes, preferably in juvenile justice, residential care, or child development fields.
• Bilingual strongly preferred.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certifications as a trainer would be obtained as needed.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (K/S/A):

• Excellent presentation skills.
• A resilient personality to handle multiple pressures from a variety of audiences and balance.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Must have knowledge in adult learning theories and curriculum development.
• Ability to use multiple instructional strategies to teach to various learning styles (i.e., interactive, multimedia presentations, monitored simulations, problem solving scenarios) to deliver a variety of topics for organization, licensing, funder and CARF requirements and professional development.
• Possess outstanding organizational skills and ability to meet established timelines.
• Demonstrates a high degree of adaptability, comfortable in establishing new directions, managing rapid change, and trying different approaches to deal with uncharted territories.
• Supervisory, teaching, writing, and public speaking skills are essential.
• Ability to generate enthusiasm and prioritize and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Highly organized, thorough, and prompt with a strong work ethic and the ability to complete tasks independently and in a timely manner.
• Must be flexible in scheduling and able to work in an ever-changing environment.
• Ability to travel independently to SAFEty sites. Must have regular access to a reliable vehicle.
• Ability to work during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends.
• Excellent communication skills. Strong networker, convener, relationship builder and communicator with experience collaborating with diverse work teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information possessing skills to handle situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• A high degree of collaboration and emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and analytical ability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Learning Management Systems, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Human Care Services.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to work independently and remain self-motivated with minimal direct supervision.
• Strategic thought partnership and consultancy skills.

Work Arrangement:

This role is not eligible for remote work. All hours will be worked in person at the assigned program.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Each program site operates on a 24/7 basis, 365 days per year. To meet both the needs of our participants and contractual obligations, employees are required to be flexible in regards to scheduling and work location.
• Program site is located in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago, IL.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk.
• The employee must be able to stoop, kneel and/or crawl.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to key, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee must have unrestricted ability to provide physical restraint.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

HHCS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. HHCS is committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, HHCS prohibits discrimination or harassment against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. HHCS also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law.