Texas Department of Agriculture

SENIOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Salary Information: $6,720 – $7,350.00/MO. – B24

State Classification: Training and Development Specialist VI -1786

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number: 25-61242-1

Location: Austin, Ft. Worth, Houston, Lubbock, or Waco, TX

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/551/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition programs and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Senior Food & Nutrition (F&N) Training and Development Specialist performs highly advanced training and development work. As the Senior, this position is responsible for multiple training programs and initiatives for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division. You will lead the review, coordination, and delegation of training projects and tasks for the training team while evaluating the quality and quantity of work produced which must meet the agency’s standards. This position is responsible for managing the scheduling, logistics, hosting, and critical review of training materials and training programs for internal and external customers. This position will frequently collaborate with departmental leadership, subject matter experts, employees, customers, and stakeholders on training needs, goals, and effectiveness and will receive feedback and guidance on training processes to achieve goals. You will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyze, instructionally design, develop, critically edit, and provide project management systems and quality assurance measures on the section’s workflow of all instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (vILT), and eLearning materials, programs, courses, and delivery systems. Keep projects in line with required timelines and in alignment with the Director of Compliance and Collaboration and Assistant Director for Training directives.

Develop and implement standard processes for the development, revision, and publication of training content and resources. Implement USDA professional standards, continuing education credits, and certifications are followed, when and where applicable.

Schedule and conduct synchronous and asynchronous training for internal and external customers, as assigned. Lead the selection and justification of topics, trainers, and presenters for F&N conferences. Serve as a trainer, presenter, editor, and facilitator for the following, as assigned:

a) Conferences, workshops, and webinars;

b) TDA F&N section & division training;

c) TDA F&N employee development training; and

d) and other target audiences.

Provide training and evaluation to section staff and contractors on software tools used. Organize and summarize training materials and contents of training materials maintained by TDA and contractors in a systematic and orderly methodology.

Lead the development and coordination of onboarding and job-shadowing activities, such as the Administrative Review, on-site visits, interviews, etc., within F&N, the Education Service Centers (ESCs), and/or Contracting Entities (CEs) to identify training gaps and foster employee development.

Keep abreast of, evaluate, coach, and critically evaluate staff and contractors on the application of established adult learning principles, instructional design, presentation and facilitation methodologies, as well as federal program trends and policies.

Develop and provide project management systems and quality assurance measures on the section’s external and internal requests and assignments. Assign priorities to projects, delegate staff assignments, and meet with stakeholders to ensure viability of projects.

Develop and maintain a centralized repository for data and feedback from section’s projects. Host “lessons learned” meetings with stakeholders in a timely manner and develop strategies to improve the team’s advancement in initiatives.

Manage the design and functionality of hosting platforms for storage and posting of training materials for all stakeholders; collaborate with subject matter experts to solve issues; and make recommendations and suggestions regarding software used to author learning content.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION

Bachelor’s Degree (one year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college).

Minimum five (5) years of work experience in operating or teaching federal nutrition programs or performing compliance reviews for federal nutrition programs.

Minimum seven (7) years of work experience managing the full content development lifecycle from needs analysis to training evaluation of adult learning performance-based employee training programs in an organizational, a governmental, or corporate setting.

Work experience with a learning management system, ADDIE instruction design, Articulate, Cloudberry, MS Office Suite, MS Teams or other virtual platform, Adobe DC, SmartSheet, and SharePoint.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of all 12 federal nutrition programs administered by TDA; of training and development procedures and techniques; of learning management and learning content management systems; of group processes, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations; of instructional and curriculum design.

Skill in oral and written communication; in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in instructing others; in using a computer and applicable software; and in facilitating workshops.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to formulate learning objectives, to develop training objectives; to assess the effectiveness of training and assess training needs; to provide guidance to others; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to *20%), occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

TDA has a telework policy that will allow eligible positions to telework up to two (2) days per week after completing six (6) months of employment with the agency. The employee must meet eligibility criteria set forth in the Telework Policy.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

• Retirement Plan
• Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Dental
• Vision
• Dependent Optional Life Insurance
• Voluntary AD&D Insurance
• Dependent Health & Life Insurance
• Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at MOS Human Resources and Training & Development Codes.