Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Department of Child Services (DCS):

Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana’s most critical missions!

The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation:

Mission: Champion Indiana’s future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.

Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.

Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.

Role Overview:

The Instructional Design Specialist plays a key role in advancing the DCS mission by designing high quality learning experiences that strengthen family-centered practice across the agency. This position develops engaging, effective training materials rooted in adult learning principles and aligned with multiple learning modalities, including e learning, instructor-led content, blended learning, and performance support tools.

In this role, you will ensure the fidelity of the DCS Practice Model by creating learning solutions that reinforce consistent practice expectations. You will partner closely with subject matter experts & leaders to translate complex information into accessible, learner centered modules, manuals, job aids, and in service training programs. This role will help staff and supervisors confidently implement new policies, refine their practice, and deliver high quality services to children and families statewide.

Key deliverables are:

Develop and maintain high‑quality instructional materials, including e‑learning modules, facilitator‑led curriculum, performance support tools, job aids, and multimedia resources.
Conduct training needs assessments to identify learning gaps and ensure training solutions directly support staff and resource parent competency, compliance expectations, and agency priorities.
Apply evidence‑based instructional design principles, adult learning theory, and child‑welfare‑specific best practices to produce effective and engaging learning experiences.
Ensure training content is accurate, up to date, and aligned with DCS policy, federal and state regulations, and practice model standards.
Partner with subject matter experts and agency leaders to define learning outcomes, validate content, and build training that reflects real‑world field scenarios.
Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of training through data, learner feedback, and performance measures, revising improve clarity, accessibility, and usability.
Support statewide learning initiatives by designing scalable solutions that meet the needs of a diverse workforce and vary delivery methods (virtual, in‑person, blended learning).
Contribute to the ongoing modernization of the DCS training program by recommending innovations in technology, instructional methods, and content design strategies.

This position works primarily from the Central DCS Offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, and will be deployed as needed. Residency in the service area is preferred.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

Core functions of this role are:

You will develop and provide regional pre-service sessions for the assigned division/department.
You will also provide content expertise, through research and experience to curriculum writers on topics identified for curriculum development. This will be done through seminars/workshops, videoconferencing, and webinars for the agency.
You will assist resource parents with accessing online training modules necessary to complete both pre-service training and ongoing training through coordination with local libraries and local offices as appropriate.
Additionally, through research and experience, staff development trainers become experts when a new curriculum is needed and provide additional insight to weave the DCS mission vision and values as well as the DCS Practice Model throughout DCS resource parent training.
Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee’s home. Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours that may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

Extensive knowledge of and subject matter expert in child development, child welfare, family systems or related behavioral health topics.
Ability to promote teamwork by working with other staff development members and field operations personnel to achieve established goals.
Ability to provide positive feedback as well as address concerns as they arise.
Knowledge of issues related to resource and/or adoptive parents regarding the Resource Parent Trainers position.
Excellent computer skills with Microsoft Word products including Word and PowerPoint and willingness to learn basic information regarding MS Excel and Access if requested.
Excellent writing skills and the ability to convey written information in a clear, concise manner. Writing samples will be requested.
Candidates must have the ability to travel statewide overnight to deliver training and in-services.
Ability to provide training during evening and weekend hours to accommodate resource parents’ schedules.
The ideal candidate for this role should have 3 years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role. Completion of relevant educational degree(s) such as a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Education, or other related fields may substitute for equivalent years of experience.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site

Learning and Governance Engagement Instructional Design Specialist

Work for Indiana

A Day in the Life:

What You'll Need for Success:

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: