Northern Academy Program Specialist (Public Education Specialist 4)

Under the general direction of an Academic Coordinator, in partnership with the Northern Academy Director, support the Northern Academy’s programs related to child welfare practice, workforce development, training, coaching, technical assistance, implementation science, and transfer of learning. This position will have a specific role in supporting statewide development of Core 4.0 for social workers across California and other statewide standardized curriculum content. Serve as a subject matter expert in these topics and provide project management, program and curriculum development, and child welfare consultation, coaching, and technical assistance. Represent the Academy in a variety of communications, meetings, collaborations and partnerships with other agencies. Develop curricula independently related to a wide range of child welfare social work subject areas. Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to manage the overall curriculum development process and ensure program quality. Develop and implement work plans for projects including curriculum development, conferences, convenings, learning collaboratives and other training and coaching deliverables, ensuring projects are delivered on-time, within scope and budget, and meet contract obligations. Support instructor hiring, trainer development and course observation. Cultivate, develop and enhance relationships with a variety of stakeholders to deliver innovative workforce development services that meet their needs.

Apply By Date: December 2, 2025

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology and/or equivalent experience/training.
• In-depth experience and knowledge of Child Welfare Services practices and principles.
• Proven experience writing and developing curriculum in the field of Human Services.
• Project management experience to oversee multiple, concurrent projects of a complex nature, to establish and adjust priorities, and to develop a course of action, monitor plans, ensure timely completion, review and evaluate results. Experience assessing project needs, developing implementation plans, managing and monitoring projects through completion and making necessary adjustments to ensure successful outcomes. Extensive knowledge of program implementation processes and skills to lead others in planning and implementation efforts.
• Experience facilitating meetings and workshops or trainings.
• Experience working independently, organizing own work, establishing priorities, developing a course of action, monitoring the plan, reviewing and evaluating results. Experience using MS Office Suite for Windows (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), databases and business tracking systems.
• Excellent written communication skills including editing and proofreading skills to quickly and accurately produce correspondence, reports, curriculum and training materials. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with SMEs and other stakeholders, as well as with a diverse constituency of child welfare professionals and allied professions and internal clients.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in social work, psychology or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience in writing reports, articles or other documents distributed to a public audience.
• Education or training and experience coaching individuals and teams.
• Skill to assess client training, coaching and professional development needs.
• Facilitation skills in planning and implementation processes and ability to lead others in planning and implementation efforts.
• Ability to analyze policy and legislation proposed and implemented at federal, state and county levels of government; assess implications for child welfare.
• Knowledge of adult learning and transfer of learning theories and practice.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Project Management
• 40% - Project Development and Delivery
• 10% - Trainer Development
• 10% - Evaluation and Assessment

Department Overview

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse portfolio on the campus, with programs spanning pre-college, professional continuing education, workforce development, international academic and cultural exchange, and training services for corporate and agency partners. As a global leader in continuing education, CPE serves learners regionally, nationally and globally, and posts more than 55K enrollments annually making it the third largest UC Extension by enrollment. Beyond its community-facing role, CPE serves as the internal hub for online education in support of other academic units on the campus. CPE employs approximately 180 employees and draws on the expertise of approximately 1,700 instructors.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $77,100.00 - $139,900.00/year
• Salary Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Grade: 22
• UC Job Title: PUBL EDUC SPEC 4
• Number of Positions: 2
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Manager will advise
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: No
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.