Training and Development Specialist in Fairview Heights, Illinois at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Training and Development Specialist will design, deliver, and evaluate training, professional development, and leadership development programs for employees. This position supports staff along their career ladders or lattices, with a particular focus on leadership positions, succession planning, talent development, and building skillsets that improve outcomes for those we serve and support organizational learning and workforce development initiatives.

The role involves applying instructional design to create training materials, facilitating workshops, coaching individuals or teams, and assessing leadership potential. The position supports the development of current and emerging leaders to strengthen leadership capacity and succession readiness across the organization.

The Specialist works closely with HR and management to align learning strategy with organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with the Training Team and department leadership to identify training needs and leadership skill gaps through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and input from managers, instructors, and other stakeholders.
• Connects leadership opportunities to succession planning, talent development, and strategic initiatives.
• Administers and tracks Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the agency.
• Develop training resources to address identified employee development needs and support job performance.
• Facilitates training and supports agency-wide implementation and sustainability activities related to CARE, Every Moment Matters, and TCI models.
• In coordination with the Training Supervisor, assist in sustainability meetings and efforts related to agency-identified, trauma-informed models.
• Lead new employee orientation sessions.
• Apply instructional design principles to create or acquire training manuals, guides, and course materials, including curriculum.
• Manage the Learning and Development pages on the HoyleNet (agency intranet) and Microsoft Teams sites.
• Presents and coordinates leadership development programs using a variety of instructional methods, including guest presenters, group discussions, lectures, simulations, and video-based learning.
• Ensure agency training aligns with licensing, accreditation, and regulatory requirements, and monitor staff completion of required annual trainings.
• Maintains records of training and development activities, attendance, results of tests and assessments, and retraining requirements.
• Administers the agency’s learning management system, including course assignments, completion tracking, user support, reporting, and maintenance of accurate training records.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through assessments, surveys, and feedback, and use the results for continuous quality improvement.
• Provides individual and small-group coaching to support employee and leadership development.
• Remains current on training, professional development, leadership development, and human services industry practices.
• Adheres to training budget; maintains records and reports of expenses.
• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills with ability to engage and train participants
• Adept with a variety of multimedia training platforms and methods.
• Ability to evaluate and research training options and alternatives.
• Ability to develop learning strategy and to design and implement effective training curricula.
• Ability to deliver feedback in a positive manner to training participants.
• Understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work within budgets.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, problem-solving, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related program software.
• Knowledge of leadership theories, leadership development practices, and employee development principles
• Demonstrated knowledge of leadership development practices and their application within talent management and succession planning initiatives.
• Must meet DCFS/CANTS Clearance Requirements.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and maintain proof of automobile insurance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in social service, education, organizational development or communication related field and three (3) years of experience in training, staff development, workforce development, leadership development, education, or a related field required.
• Must possess or obtain CARE Educator and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trainer certifications within one (1) year of hire.
• Experience facilitating group training sessions and presentations preferred.
• Experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or adult learning programs preferred.
• Experience utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit, child welfare, behavioral health, residential, or related human services setting preferred.

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed.

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance.

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention). Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment and requires regular travel to agency locations to facilitate training, coaching, orientation, leadership development activities, and organizational meetings.

The role involves periods of sitting, standing, walking, presenting, and facilitating training sessions. Occasional bending, kneeling, climbing stairs, carrying training materials, and lifting up to 15 pounds may be required.

Minimal exposure to environmental factors such as noise, dust, and varying indoor and outdoor temperatures may occur during travel between locations and training activities.

BENEFITS

• Medical insurance with company funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 company holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional supplemental benefits including: voluntary life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to employees and their household members for additional support
• Tuition reimbursement to encourage continued learning and growth
• BenefitHub Perks Program offering valuable employee discounts