JOB Loudoun County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country, known for its excellent quality of life and strong economy, while embracing its historic presence. Located 35 miles west of Washington DC, Loudoun County offers a diverse blend of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities.
Loudoun County Department of Family Services seeks a dedicated, professional candidate for its Child Protective Services Trainer position. The successful candidate will join the Prevention and Protective Services division and the diverse department that envisions better health, safety, and well-being for all. The Department supports individuals and families in the community to live their best lives while advocating for those most vulnerable and respecting their right to self-determination. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES Loudoun County Department of Family Services is seeking a skilled and experienced Child Protective Services (CPS) Training Specialist to design, deliver, and continuously improve training that strengthens frontline child welfare practice and directly impacts child safety outcomes. This position ensures fidelity to Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) CPS practice standards and strengthens consistent application of child welfare policy, safety decision-making, and family engagement across all CPS practice areas.
This is a practice-focused training and consultation role, not limited to classroom instruction. The Training Specialist functions as an instructional leader, field coach, and practice partner—supporting staff in Intake, Investigations, Family Assessments, and In-Home Services to build skill, consistency, and confidence in high-stakes child welfare work. This position reports to the CPS Program Administrator and plays a key role in workforce readiness, quality improvement, and strengthening outcomes for children and families.
Key Responsibilities
Training Design & Practice Development
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Design and deliver engaging, skills-based CPS training grounded in adult learning theory.
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Ensure training aligns with VDSS CPS policy, practice standards, and regulatory guidance.
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Facilitate instruction in:
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Safety and risk assessment (VDSS Structured Decision-Making practices, where applicable).
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Family engagement and interviewing techniques.
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CPS legal and policy requirements.
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Trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and bias-aware practice.
Coaching & Field Support
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Provide onboarding, coaching, and practice support for new CPS staff.
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Observe field practice and provide real-time feedback to improve decision-making and consistency.
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Serve as a practice consultant to supervisors and program leadership.
Curriculum Development & Continuous Improvement
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Develop and update training curricula, e-learning modules, and instructional materials.
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Integrate policy updates, case practice trends, and field feedback into training design.
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Continuously refine training based on emerging needs and performance gaps.
Quality Improvement & Data-Informed Training
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Use workforce and case practice data to identify training needs and skill gaps.
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Utilize systems such as:
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OASIS (case documentation system).
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Safe Measures (performance and quality monitoring).
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COMPASS (training and compliance tracking, where applicable).
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Evaluate training effectiveness based on:
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Skill application in the field.
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Case quality and timeliness.
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Staff competency development and retention trends.
Collaboration & Leadership
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Partner with CPS supervisors and leadership to align training with operational priorities.
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Support consistency in practice across all CPS units.
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Serve as a subject matter expert in CPS policy and practice.
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Coordinate with state and regional partners to ensure alignment with VDSS expectations.
Compensation & Benefits
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Hiring salary commensurate with experience.
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Eligible for Loudoun County Hiring & Retention Bonus Program ($3,000).
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Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plan.
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Opportunity to directly influence CPS practice quality, workforce readiness, and child safety outcomes across Loudoun County.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Work Schedule & Environment:
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Full-time (37.5 hours/week).
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Hybrid work schedule following onboarding period.
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Initial 90-day in-person training period required.
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Occasional after-hours or emergency response availability may be required based on operational needs.
The successful candidate must:
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Pass pre-employment background checks to include criminal, credit, CPS/APS, and DMV.
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Have a valid driver’s license and good driving record (driving records may be reviewed annually for continued qualification).
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Hold or obtain certifications such as CPR if required for assigned position.
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Obtain specific training such as CPS/Foster Care/APS state training as required or desired for assigned area.
