<p>With approximately 16,000 students, NIU is one of the largest public universities in the state of Illinois. The Department of Psychology is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all of our students, staff, and faculty. NIU's geographical reach extends beyond its main DeKalb campus (65 miles west of downtown Chicago, 60 miles from the O'Hare International Airport, and 40 miles west of Naperville - a booming community with one of the best school systems in the nation.) to satellite campuses in Naperville, Rockford, and Chicago as well as to students online.</p> <p>Illinois Department of Children and Family Services contracts with the Department of Psychology employs 97 staff across the state of Illinois and is committed to enhancing outcomes for the children and families served.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>Under the leadership of the Deputy of the Office of Research and Child Well-Being, the Intensive Placement Stabilization (IPS) Implementation Support Specialist (ISS) reports to the IPS Manager and provides direct technical assistance to ensure successful program implementation across DCFS regions. Using implementation science and healing-centered engagement strategies, this role supports fidelity to IPS interventions, builds staff and partner capacity, and ensures that youth and caregiver voice shape implementation.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <p>Implementation Support - 50%</p> <ul> <li>Provide implementation support for the roll-out of new contracts </li><li>Provides hands-on support to DCFS staff and partners, including caregivers, when needed, in implementing IPS interventions </li><li>Identify barriers to implementation and co-develop solutions </li><li>Complete program monitoring for assigned contracts </li></ul> <p>Training, Coaching and Technical Assistance - 20%</p> <ul> <li>Monitor the completion and application of ARC, trauma-informed, and other practice trainings </li><li>Provide reflective coaching to staff and providers </li><li>Support integration of IPS practices into daily operations </li></ul> <p>Partner Collaboration - 15%</p> <ul> <li>Facilitate feedback loops with individuals with lived experience (including youth and caregivers), and providers </li><li>Strengthen collaboration between DCFS/CWCA, community providers, caregivers, and others </li></ul> <p>Data-Informed Adaptions - 10%</p> <ul> <li>Apply CQI findings to frontline implementation </li><li>Support the use of evidence and lived experience feedback to refine practices </li></ul> <p>Other Duties as Assigned - 5%</p> <ul> <li>Provides assistance to special projects as requested by DCFS and NIU </li><li>Completes tasks requested by DCFS and NIU </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Specialty Factors (Civil Service)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, public administration, education, or related field. </li><li>Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in child welfare, human services, or implementation support. </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge in applying implementation science, and workforce capacity-building strategies. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Masters degree in social service or related field. </li><li>Five (5) years of relevant work experience. </li><li>Experience working within state government, or federal government. </li><li>Experience with program implementation. </li><li>Experience utilizing coaching practices in a professional work setting. </li></ul> <p>Physical demands/requirements</p> <ul> <li>The position requires the ability to use a computer. </li><li>This position requires the person to be able to travel to necessary meetings. </li></ul>