ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Assistant Director, Training and Development, the Training and Development Specialist designs, develops, conducts, and evaluates agency-wide training programs. Conducts needs analysis to determine ways to improve employee performance. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Organization standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Participate in needs analysis studies to determine training and performance needs with the organization. Confer with management to gain knowledge of specific work situations requiring employees to better understand changes in policies, procedures, regulations and technologies. Look for ways to improve organizational productivity through training and education. Recommend tools, resources, and training.
2. Assist in developing training materials. In conjunction with the manager, selects, develops and maintains teaching aids such as training manuals, demonstration models, multi-media visual aids, computer tutorials, and reference works. Selects or designs testing and evaluation methods to be used to measure learning. Maintain the training schedule and room reservations for internal and external training locations.
3. Conduct training sessions covering specified topics for new and current employee training. Sessions include topics such as: orientation, customer services, new policies/procedures training and other trainings assigned. Updates materials for accuracy and to increase learning.
4. Career Development: Answer employees’ questions regarding opportunities for advancement and the required training or education. Direct employees to external educational and training resources. Assist in counseling staff on appropriate training programs, LinkedIn Learning and other internal resources.
5. Provide observations and suggestions for improvement regarding training effectiveness. Survey trainees within 90 days to measure progress and to evaluate the effectiveness of training. Report on progress of trainees under guidance during and following training period.
6. Maintain upkeep of the Learning Management System (LMS). Data entry of courses and performance management documents, and the ability to run reports from the system. Provide training to new management on the LMS system, when needed.
7. Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities.
8. Other Functions: The Organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Communications, Training and Development or business-related field. Two to three years of training or organizational development experience required in one or more of the following areas: needs assessment, survey analysis, developing and implementing training programs. Prior Learning Management System and course design experience preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Access to reliable personal transportation, valid driver’s license and insurance required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to use good judgment in handling complex situations
• Ability to adapt to change
• Ability to travel locally, and work from different locations.
• Ability to work and be on location between the hours of 8am-5pm, when conducting training.
• Ability to function independently in a multi-task environment, as well as a part of a team
• Expert-level skills in Microsoft Office specifically, in PowerPoint and Word.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing, and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with a company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

Salary: $58,300 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago, Uptown - Hybrid

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.