San Diego State University Research Foundation


CWDS Consultant

US--San Diego

Job ID: 2025-18965
Type: Full-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Community/Social Services
Academy for Professional Excellence

Overview

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on June 30, 2025.

The starting salary range for this position is $6,695.00 - $7,725.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With five programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS) provides workforce development, organizational support, technical assistance and capacity building for the public child welfare staff of Southern California counties. These services include coaching, simulation, classroom training, eLearning and evaluation services. Workforce development services consist of development opportunities for new social workers, the existing workforce, supervisors, managers and executive level leadership as well as community partners and multi disciplinary partners working closely with child welfare agencies.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Consultant Supervisor, the CWDS Consultant is responsible for working independently, and in partnership with a county and external stakeholders to develop specialized training, projects, and capacity for best practice on state and county initiatives for CWDS. This position works closely with the Regional Training Coordinator to develop and plan all county training needs.  

This position works full time from a home office and requires limited occasional travel throughout southern California. This position involves independent planning and performance of day-to-day program speciality consultation as it relates to service planning, coaching and/or training facilitation. Considerable judgement and discretion is exercised when making recommendations and conclusions as it pertains to the role. Contributes to the completion of broader and more complex program projects or goals, provides project leadership and represents the program outside of the organization. Requires working knowledge of general practices, policies and procedures, program strategy, broad organizational acumen, and extensive consultative skills in working with and interacting with individuals at various staffing levels. Assignments are of high level of responsibility, strategic in nature and require the use of independent judgement to make decisions, following standard operating procedures, and can provide a wide-range of solutions based on precedence and through applying ingenuity as it pertains to the area of speciality. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40-hour a week, remote, full-time position working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding subject to annual renewal. The position is subject to intermittent overnight travel and work shifts outside of normal business hours including weekends and evenings. This position is based in California with a regular on-site work location of Riverside, CA. 

This position serves multiple counties in Southern California.  

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently working to update employee classifications. This position may be subject to a future classification change, however, this does not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position.

CWDS CONSULTATION (95%)

• Provides strategic oversight and guidance to ensure effective implementation of contract deliverables.
• Support the definition of project scope by engaging relevant stakeholders and assessing feasibility.
• Ensures all regional/external partner needs are explored and met as appropriate to the scope of the contract.
• Provides oversight and facilitation of internal and external meetings to support effective implementation and stakeholder collaboration.
• Continuously evaluates and provides oversight in refining training and technical assistance data tracking systems.
• Analyzes regional training evaluation dashboards and generates comprehensive reports.
• Monitors and integrates emerging state initiatives into practice.
• Holds special projects as assigned. 
• Proactively assesses and prepares for the impact of new state initiatives and regulations on county operations.
• Consistently stay informed on county-specific issues to ensure responsive and adaptive practices.
• Work with a trainer/coach/subject matter expert to ensure regional workforce development needs are met.

• Deliver up to 12 hours of training annually, aligning with fiscal year objectives. 
• Apply knowledge of the four domains of successful implementation to support external partners in adopting and sustaining new and existing initiatives.
• Proactively contribute to contract development by identifying strategies to promote and highlight new services to counties.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%) 

• Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence.
• Travel to off-site locations for Academy and Program meetings (primarily in Riverside and San Diego).

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, written, and oral communication, with a focus on cross-cultural sensitivity and inclusive engagement.
• Advanced skills in budget tracking, calculation, and financial management to support informed decision-making and resource allocation.
• Expertise in data management, including tracking, analyzing, and reporting data to inform program outcomes and support continuous quality improvement.
• Deep understanding of current learning and development principles, adult learning theories, and their application to diverse populations.
• Proficient in project management processes, with the ability to manage, monitor, and assess multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong capacity to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in problem-solving and developing innovative solutions.
• Expert in interpreting and navigating complex policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with programmatic and project goals.
• Proven ability to work independently while fostering collaboration and cohesion in team environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel within California, particularly in Southern region counties and Sacramento, to support project implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficient in using standard office software for efficient correspondence, report preparation, and data analysis.
• Skilled in coordinating, providing oversight and leading project teams, building positive relationships with colleagues, and effectively managing issues specific to programs and projects.
• Adept at executing assignments with minimal guidance, demonstrating strong leadership, organizational development, and administrative skills.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and initiate actions that align with group decisions, ensuring successful implementation of strategies and initiatives.
• Highly organized, with a proven track record of meeting deadlines, demonstrating attention to detail, and exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to work in a team setting & relate well to others within the Academy for Professional Excellence environment.
• Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, partners, and professionals.
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to display organization and meet deadlines.
• Ability to display good judgment and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in appropriate field related to the program/project
  -OR- 
• Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
  
  
• Six (6) years of experience related to the program/project.
• Three (3) years of experience providing coaching or training.
  
  (A masters' degree may be substituted for years of experience, up to two years)

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field, with a strong foundation in implementation science principles.

• Three (4) years of experience in planning and coordinating projects and deliverables, including oversight of data management systems to ensure informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Four (4) years of experience as a trainer and/or curriculum developer, integrating data-driven insights into training design and delivery.

• A minimum of four (4) years of experience working in public child welfare, with a preference for those with a comprehensive understanding of system-wide challenges and opportunities.

• Four (4) years of experience in contract negotiation and oversight, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and effective resource allocation.

• Proven experience in developing and delivering child welfare training, with a focus on trauma-informed practices and promoting equity and inclusion.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of program planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation, with an emphasis on leveraging data to optimize program performance.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.  

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