LMS Supervisor

Position Overview

The Learner Management System (LMS) Supervisor is a 1.0 FTE University employee at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). The University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) 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 MN child welfare workers and agencies.

The LMS Supervisor will provide strategic direction, administrative oversight, and day-to-day supervision of a team dedicated to supporting non-credit, professional development training for Minnesota Child Protection Workers. The LMS Supervisor will oversee five team members, to ensure high-quality course management, progress tracking, certification, and that completion requirements are met for a multi-faceted training program. This role will also involve collaborating closely with other supervisors within the MNCWTA to support the organization's overall mission of equipping child protection workers with essential skills and knowledge.

This is a 100%, 12-month, annually renewable appointment in the academic and administrative classification. The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. A hybrid work schedule is required (3 days on-site, 2 days remote), reports to the MNCWTA Co-Director and will be located off campus at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, which is two miles north of the St. Paul Campus.

Job Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Supervision (50%)

• Oversee team development of 5 LMS team members
• Foster a collaborative and supporting working environment by conducting regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and provide ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Ensure that all LMS team members understand their roles and responsibilities to establish a productive work environment.
• Monitor team performance, address any issues or obstacles, and facilitate effective communication amongst the team.
• Manage all aspects of diverse IT projects or multiple IT projects involving various IT disciplines.
• Direct the work of the LMS team to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Create and establish team goals aligned with MNCWTA's objectives and ensure accountability and performance benchmarks are met.
• Coordinate with other MNCWTA supervisors to ensure cohesive program implementation and collaboration.
• Review progress, evaluate outcomes, and recommend actions to ensure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.
• Ensure that LMS processes are consistent, effective, and in line with organizational standards.
  

Process Improvement and Best Practices (30%)

• Conduct market assessments to analyze the effectiveness of the LMS
• Gather data from end-users to evaluate objectives, goals, and scope
• Identify and implement best practices in e-learning for adult learners, specifically within child welfare and protection contexts.
• Keep up to date on LMS advancements, e-learning trends, and industry standards through professional development. Ensure MNCWTA's LMS remains robust and effective.
• Work with Educational Technology Innovations and UMN data management teams to ensure data integrity and privacy within the LMS.
• Ensure regular maintenance and updates to processes and best practices.
  

Learner Management System Oversight (20%)

• Configure the LMS platform to support non-credit, professional development training programs, to include:
  • Track multiple courses
  • Report on learner progress
  • Issue certificates upon course completion
• Plan, conduct, and supervise the completion of projects, generally involving large projects or multiple projects.
• Facilitate operations and maintenance of the LMS platform.
• Serve as the most senior individual contributor in the department, providing technical guidance to the team.
• Create and present regular reports to MNCWTA leadership to support decision-making.
• Provide LMS system updates to MNCWTA leadership for program improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, Instructional Technology, Learning & Development, or a related field, plus at least four years of experience working with Learning Management Systems, with at least two years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Proven expertise in managing non-credit, professional development LMS environments, preferably for government or social service professionals.
• Strong understanding of course tracking, progress monitoring, certification, and reporting in LMS environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting, with the ability to use insights to inform LMS strategy and improvements.
• Excellent communication skills and experience collaborating with multi-functional teams and supervisory peers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree with four years of experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Familiarity with child welfare training requirements and professional development standards for child protection workers.
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota LMS platforms such as Destiny One Registration System (DORS).
• Advanced knowledge of LMS platforms, such as Canvas, Articulate, or other similar systems.
• Strong project management skills, with a focus on process improvement and problem-solving.
• Knowledge of data privacy standards, especially as they relate to educational data.

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. During an early phase of strategic planning for CASCW in 2024, the creation of the MICW emerged as an essential task to continue to support the growth and productivity of these entities while also continuing the mission of the School of Social Work and the College of Education and Human Development as it pertains to continued community service, growth, and innovation.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is a research and training center located within the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. CASCW supports the education and training of public child welfare professionals; identifies, and examines, effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into the School of Social Work curriculum.

Minn-LInK, an incredibly rich resource within the University and across the state of Minnesota, is an interdisciplinary, integrated, administrative data project used for research and evaluation projects aimed at understanding the experiences and outcomes of children, youth, and families who are multi-system involved. Minn-LInK staff provide research services to internal and external partners through grants and agreements.

The MNCWTA is a partnership between the University's MICW and the MN Department of Child Youth and Family (DCYF). The MNCWTA is responsible for the training and professional development of Minnesota's county and tribal child welfare frontline staff and supervisors. The mission is to train, develop, and support the skills, expertise, and well-being of Minnesota's child welfare workforce while nurturing a commitment to equitable child welfare practice.

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 including: a PhD in Social Work; a Master of Social Work; a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership; a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention, Social Justice, and Youth Studies. Underlying all these multidisciplinary programs is a social justice value base and a commitment to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our society. The curricula of our educational programs, and faculty research and engagement, intentionally seek to emphasize and expand anti-racist perspectives, social, economic and racial justice, and decolonization. The School is the home to a variety of labs and centers that actively involve our students, staff, faculty, and community partners, e.g., the Youth Work Learning Lab, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the Center for Practice Transformation, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, an innovative partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services that is funded by the state legislature to further develop equitable child welfare practices.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $92,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position requires that you attach

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of references

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).