Curriculum Subject Matter Expert (SME)

About the Role

The Curriculum Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is a University employee at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). The University of Minnesota’s Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) established the MN Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) in partnership with the MN Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF), a new collaborative that focuses on creating impactful, inclusive, and accessible training opportunities to meet the needs of the many Minnesota child welfare workers and agencies. The Curriculum SME supports the development of curriculum with staff curriculum developers at the MNCWTA while providing knowledge and expertise within training content. This includes professional and personal knowledge related to child welfare practice. We rely on the SME to inform, share, and participate in various stages of the curriculum development process across course development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the curriculum development team to define training content scope, sequence, and overall structure.
• Contribute subject matter expertise to the development of training scripts, learning activities, self-paced modules, and application-based scenarios.
• Support the creation of multimedia learning content (e.g., videos, case scenarios, storytelling elements) by providing content expertise.
• Review and suggest content updates to job aids, instructional resources, and other materials to enhance curriculum quality and effectiveness.
• Partner throughout the design and development process with the curriculum development team, attending key project meetings such as the kick-off, mid-point check-ins, and curriculum reviews.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma/GED and five years experience in child welfare, OR personal experience with the child welfare system.
• Experience collaborating and communicating with child welfare professionals and other Subject Matter Experts.
• Strong written and communication skills, including the ability to provide feedback.
• Ability to collaborate on training in ways that effectively account for a variety of diverse backgrounds, communities, identities, and abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to complete projects on time.
• Demonstrated experience with Google Workspace related to managing, editing, and responding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. in a related field.
• Extensive knowledge of child welfare practice in Minnesota.
• Practice experience as a child protection worker, child welfare worker, or in a related role.
• Experience writing and developing curricula.

Institute Overview

The Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) is a new organizing structure housing several dynamic research and training entities, including The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). Each entity is grant-funded and self-sustaining.

Department Overview

Founded in 1917 on its Dakota homeland, the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is part of a public, research-intensive university and one of seven administrative units in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The School offers several graduate and undergraduate educational programs with a focus on social justice and serving vulnerable populations.

Pay

Pay Range: $50/hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience.