Staff Trainer

Position Title:Staff Trainer
Program/Dept:Residential programs 

Reports to:Director of Residential Services/Executive Director
Classification:Short Hours
Compensation:$34-40/hourly 

Agency Description:    Caminar is a nonprofit agency with over 49 years of experience providing community-based support services for people with disabilities. Caminar services are designed to enable adults and older adults with mental health, physical and developmental disabilities to live and work in their community in accordance with their ability and desire.  Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing opportunities to live in the community with dignity and independence.  The agency employs approximately 300 of the most dedicated and professional staff serving the communities of San Mateo, Solano and Butte counties. 

Position Description:       This is a position with a flexible work schedule supporting all Caminar programs, with a primary focus on the agency’s residential programs.  Under supervision of the Director of Residential Services, and the Executive Director, the Staff Trainer provides training, coaching and support to clinical staff. The Staff Trainer will also play a key role in the development and implementation of agency clinical initiatives, such as Pro-Act and the FIT pilot. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Partner with program management to provide orientation and training to new staff as well as ongoing coaching and training to all staff both new and long term.
• Act as a role model for staff, demonstrating productive work skills and professional behavior.
• Establish and maintain clear and effective communication with staff, ensure that their needs are met, assist them in the development and implementation of treatment plans, and all other required clinical documentation.
• Partner with program management to conduct chart reviews in accordance with established program procedures, provide follow-up reports and coaching as needed.
• Assist program management in ensuring compliance with all agency policies and procedures, contractual agreements, licensing and certification requirements, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist program management with ongoing development, implementation, evaluation, and refinement of established program curriculum in support of all classes and groups provided.
• Conduct special topic trainings for staff.
• Provide Pro-Act training for new staff and Pro-Act re-certification trainings for ongoing staff, in accordance with Pro-Act certification requirements.
• Lead crisis debriefing meetings when necessary, offering strategies to strengthen crisis intervention skills.  Maintain documentation of debriefing meetings.
• Assume a primary role in the development, implementation and maintenance of the agency’s FIT pilot initiative, providing training, ongoing coaching and making recommendations to the Transition Oversight Group when necessary.
• Assist program management in preparing for annual site surveys conducted by governing regulatory agencies, identifying areas of needed improvement and assisting with correcting possible deficiencies.
• Assist program management to create and maintain a safe and professional working environment free of hostility, harassment, and discrimination.
• Participate in staff meetings periodically and attend other agency meetings, as assigned.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Attend training events as assigned, completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of in-service training annually.
• Assist program management in maintaining the program budget by carefully managing resources.
• Establish working relationships with other local community agencies who may offer trainings or presentations to staff or clients, such as the Sheriff’s Department, local shelter agencies, AOD providers, etc. with whom the program may interact.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports in a timely manner.
• Promote within the agency and with the general public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities: 

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• Ability to keep a flexible work schedule is essential.
• BA in psychology or related field is required. 
• A minimum of three years’ full time experience or its part time equivalent working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities is required. Such experience must be in the direct provision of services to clients.                                              
• Experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, preferably in a social rehabilitation environment is preferred.

• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.

• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service—experience managing difficult customer situations, and responding promptly to customer needs is desirable.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings.   Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.

• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects. 

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements: 

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Special Requirements: 

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require occasional driving. A valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are essential job requirements.  Personal auto insurance and reliable personal vehicle may be required and in all cases are strongly preferred.
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• Must obtain and maintain Pro-Act, First Aid and CPR certification.