Learning and Development Specialist (30688)

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.

Required Trainings and Certifications

The Learning 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.