Are you a learning and development professional looking for a new challenge? Do you have a passion for contributing to the success of others success through their professional development? If you thrive in a collaborative team environment and are motivated to help us make a difference at Washington Federal, this position may be for you!

The Learning and Development Specialist is a role that is transforming Washington Federal through professional development at all levels throughout the company. This dynamic role involves equal parts curriculum development and facilitation (live and live virtual) with some project management. The L&D Specialist will work closely with the Director of Learning and Development and other team members to develop a wide range of courses that will cover soft skills, technical skills and internal policies and procedures.

As a “Company ambassador” and role model, the Learning and Development Specialist will lead by example in upholding our core values and helping others to “Love what you do. Make a difference.” We aspire to achieve the vision to be “the most trusted and highly recommended regional bank in the markets we serve.”

Primary Responsibilities

• Works closely with Director of Learning and Development Manager and team to develop appropriate curriculum for audience needs. Develops and delivers effective and consistent training across the organization.
• Takes ownership of assigned learning projects, ensuring content is approved, documented, maintained, customized, updated, and completed to a specified schedule.
• Participates in needs assessments as necessary.
• Develops certification exams as assigned.
• Design content according to a specified design model.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of course content, delivery methods and materials prior to training.
• Demonstrates an effort to understand and anticipate audience needs; gathers information to adjust or customize for specific audience.
• Communicates regional needs to Director of Learning and Development.
• Conducts training sessions in an open, friendly, and professional environment in order to maximize participant engagement and learning.
• Employs Adult Learning theory in order to impart learning for maximum impact.
• Provides suggestions for ongoing improvement to courses, with the help of classroom experience, evaluations, and participant feedback.
• Responsibly uses and maintains classroom facilities, equipment, supplies, and other related materials including the virtual learning platform.
• Provides exemplary internal customer service through a strong commitment to excellence, professional conduct and team collaboration.
• Participates fully with other team members; supporting one another’s success.
• Undertakes approximately 25% travel to provide face-to-face training and meet with stakeholders in various locations across Washington Federal’s regional footprint ((Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah).
• Stays current on all assigned eLearning courses.

Key Competencies for Success

• Ability to manage projects, schedules and deliverables to a specified time frame.
• Exceptional facilitation skills for effective classroom training both live and live virtual.
• Ability and/or interest in curriculum design.
• An ability to develop strong relationships across the organization and within the region as a part of the Learning and Development team.
• Desire to be a part of a high performing team
• Strong understanding and appreciation of Washington Federal’s policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years in learning and development with at least 2 years of experience in facilitation or curriculum design.
• Proven classroom management skills with experience in training groups of 12 or more.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Financial industry or retail banking experience preferred but not necessary.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
• Excellent platform presence.
• Ability to work both independently and in teams, with minimal supervision.
• Tech savvy, with the ability to independently problem solve or troubleshoot.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn material and/or systems and effectively train others.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize a complex workload and aggressive schedules in order to meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated with solid organizational, time management and administrative skills.