Learning and Development Specialist

About We Do Life… Together

We Do Life…Together (WDLT), a division of ICES, Inc., has been transforming lives in Connecticut since 1998. We support Individuals with cognitive disorders, mental illness, and those on the autistic spectrum. Our caring human service professionals focus on each Individual's strengths while promoting dignity, independence, and meaningful community participation.

We offer a comprehensive continuum of services, including residential, vocational, clinical, community habilitation, and in-home support. Working alongside families, state agencies, schools, employers, and community partners, we help individuals build skills, increase independence, and live meaningful lives.

When you join WDLT, you become part of a team that believes the best outcomes happen when we do life…together.

Why This Role Matters

The Learning and Development Specialist is responsible for creating a learning culture where employees are prepared, confident, and equipped to provide exceptional care from their first day through every stage of their career.

You will facilitate and design engaging learning experiences that translate complex regulations, policies, and operational procedures into practical knowledge employees can apply every day. From onboarding and compliance to leadership development and continuing education, you will own the employee learning experience while ensuring WDLT maintains the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

You will also use data — retention trends, engagement signals, completion rates, and exit themes — to continuously improve our learning programs.

If you believe learning should inspire people—not simply satisfy requirements—this role offers the opportunity to shape how an entire organization develops its people.

What You’ll Do Learning Strategy & Program Development

• Lead the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of WDLT's employee learning programs using the ADDIE instructional design model.

• Partner with leaders across the organization to identify learning needs and develop solutions that improve employee performance and organizational effectiveness.

• Design engaging, learner-centered experiences that support onboarding, professional development, leadership growth, and regulatory compliance.

• Translate complex subject matter and compliance requirements into practical, interactive learning experiences that employees can easily understand and apply.

Employee Learning & Development

• Create and manage the complete employee learning journey—from onboarding through ongoing professional development.

• Develop instructor-led, virtual, self-paced, and blended learning programs that meet diverse learning needs.

• Facilitate training sessions for the agency, including bi-weekly new hire training.

• Build learning pathways that prepare employees for career growth and internal advancement.

Compliance & Regulatory Training

• Develop and facilitate all required compliance training programs.

• Ensure employees maintain required certifications and complete annual/bi-annual training requirements on schedule.

• Maintain training records and documentation to support agency, state, and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with operational leaders to ensure learning programs align with current regulations and best practices.

Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Measure training effectiveness through learner feedback, assessments, observations, and operational outcomes.

• Analyze training data to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Continuously refine curriculum, learning materials, and instructional strategies to improve employee performance and engagement.

• Recommend learning and non-learning solutions that address organizational performance challenges.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with department leaders, subject matter experts, and agency leadership to align learning initiatives with organizational priorities.

• Manage multiple learning projects simultaneously while balancing timelines, quality, and Agency expectations.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and professional growth throughout the agency.

• Other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary that reflects your experience and performance.

• The opportunity to build and lead a growing learning and development function.

• Creative freedom to design meaningful, engaging learning experiences that improve employee performance.

• Professional development opportunities that support your own continued growth.

• A collaborative leadership team committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and person-centered care.

• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on both employees and the Individuals they support .

BENEFITS SNAPSHOT

Benefit

Full-Time1

Part-Time

Medical (PPO or HSA plan)

✔ Premium sharing

✔ If averaging 30+ hrs/wk2

Prescription Drug Coverage

✔ Included with medical

✔ If ACA-eligible2

Dental (Mutual of Omaha)

✔ Employee-paid option

✔ Employee-paid option

Vision (Mutual of Omaha / EyeMed)

✔ Employee-paid option

✔ Employee-paid option

Company-Paid Life & AD&D ($10,000)

✔ 100% employer-paid

—

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

✔ Available 24/7/365

—

401(k) Retirement Plan

✔ Available, with possible profit sharing

✔ Available, with possible profit sharing

Voluntary Supplemental Coverage (Life, Short-Term Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness)

✔ Employee-paid, optional

✔ Employee-paid, optional

1 Full-time eligibility is based on the employee’s regularly scheduled hours as defined by company policy.

2 Part-time employees who average 30 or more hours per week during the applicable measurement period are eligible for medical and prescription drug coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

— Not offered for this employment status.

Benefits are subject to change. This summarizes our current benefits for this position. Full details regarding benefits are included in the official plan documents, which govern in the event of any discrepancies. All benefits described herein are subject to change at the sole discretion of the company at any time

Required Trainings and Certifications

The L earning and Development Specialist is responsible for maintaining the knowledge and certifications necessary to support agency operations and regulatory compliance. WDLT provides ongoing professional development to support continued success in the role.

Qualifications

What You Bring Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning & Development, Education, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Adult Learning, or a related field preferred.

• Three or more years of experience designing and delivering employee learning programs.

• Experience managing onboarding, compliance training, or organizational learning initiatives.

• Experience in healthcare, human services, behavioral health, or another highly regulated environment preferred.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies, including ADDIE.

• Experience conducting learning needs assessments and translating business needs into effective learning solutions.

• Ability to develop instructor-led, virtual, blended, and self-paced learning experiences.

• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and coaching skills.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience evaluating learning effectiveness and continuously improving curriculum.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.

• Experience with learning management systems (LMS) and eLearning development tools is strongly preferred.

• A collaborative, innovative mindset with a passion for helping others learn and succeed.

  Physical & Other Requirements

This role requires occasional travel between WDLT program locations to support training and organizational initiatives.

You also must:

• Possess a valid driver's license with a safe driving record.

• Successfully complete all required background checks.

• Maintain knowledge of applicable regulatory and compliance requirements.

• Occasionally lift training materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.