Training and Development Specialist (MA5) - Statewide

Full Job Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Training and Development Specialist (MA5)
Location: Statewide Location - The duty station is in Olympia, WA. However, the official duty station will be updated based on the office location closest to the incumbent.
The incumbent must reside in WA state and be able to travel to offices and regions throughout the state to attend in-person meetings, training, and conferences.
Closes: 02/19/2026
Salary: $6,414 - $8,628

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking a dynamic, high-performing individual to join the Child Welfare Programs and Practice team as a Training and Development Specialist (MA5). This position is responsible for training and coaching Youth and Family Meetings (YFM), which replaced the Shared Planning/Family to Family Model. This position will primarily serve our Child Welfare Regions 5 & 6 with occasional statewide travel. If you are an experienced child welfare meetings facilitator and you enjoy training and coaching, we are excited to hear from you!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
The Training and Development Specialist (MA5) is a member of the Child Welfare Programs and Practice QA/CQI team convened as part of the quality assurance process to improve the consistency of social service practice and promote accountability and improved outcomes for children and families. This position is responsible for the successful training of all (SHPC4) staff responsible for YFM facilitation across the state. In this role, you'll conduct ongoing assessment and coaching of staff trained in YFMs to ensure fidelity of the Evident Change program as well as participants of YFMs.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Develop, plan, and conduct training for Youth and Family Meeting (YFM) facilitation.
• Coordinate scheduling of training throughout the state.
• Train YFM participants (case managers, supervisors, staff) regarding their roles in YFMs.
• Monitor the progress of employees throughout the training program to ensure they meet requirements.
• Create training and update attendance in the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Observe, assess, and analyze trainers for the fidelity of YFM facilitation and provide coaching to facilitators.
• Collaborate with the program manager, other trainers, and QA/CQI analyst to develop observation tools for ongoing assessment.
• Observe YFM consultants across the state and provide written feedback and coaching.
• Consult with HQ program managers, staff, regional leads, and others about program improvements, policy changes, reviews, and data plans.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
Nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience administering, developing, supervising, delivering family and child-related social services, delivering training, or facilitating team meetings
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, social science, business administration, public administration, public health, health administration, or a related field AND (5) five years of progressively responsible experience in planning, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services, delivering training, or facilitating team meetings.
OR
A Master’s degree in social work, psychology, social science, health care, or a related field AND (3) three years of progressively responsible experience, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services, delivering training, or facilitating team meetings.
AND
Exhibits a relentless commitment to anti-racism and addressing diversity, disproportionality, and inequity in child and family-serving systems and

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with state and federal statutes and WACs related to child protection, confidentiality, and child welfare.
• Experience with DCYF child welfare programs and policies.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of cross-system coordination and communication.
• Experience with training others.
• Experience with participating in or facilitating family meetings.
• Demonstrated understanding of confirmatory bias or selective thinking in decision-making and knowledge of best practices that challenge bias.
• Demonstrated knowledge of other community agency programs that impact service delivery to children and families.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF Recruiter.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

2026-00991