Title: Learning and Development Consultant, Sr.

State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor III

Hiring Range: $95,000-$107,306

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: Dept of Social Services

Agency Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

This position is responsible for: strategic leadership development partner responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating high-impact learning programs that build leadership capacity at all levels of the organization. This role focuses on leader development, enterprise-wide coaching initiatives, and organizational culture change through innovative and inclusive learning strategies. The position requires significant coaching experience, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence through thought leadership.

This position provides direct support to VDSS employees, leaders and individual contributors, at every level of the agency. This role will work closely with senior leadership team members, managers, subject matter experts, human resources professionals, other learning and development professionals, and external vendors to identify skill gaps, assess training needs, and provide learning and development solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Adult Learning Theory and Instructional Design: Deep understanding of adult learning principles, learning styles, and instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, SAM, etc.).
• Organizational Development: Knowledge of talent management, leadership pipelines, and succession planning practices.
• Learning Technologies: Proficiency in using Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual training platforms, content development tools (Articulate, Adobe Captivate), and data dashboards.
• Learning Program Design and Facilitation: Ability to design, implement, and deliver complex learning initiatives, both virtually and in person.
• Coaching and Consulting: Consultative skills to support leaders, managers, and employees with development plans, and the ability to provide one-on-one coaching where appropriate.
• Data Interpretation and Learning Evaluation: Proficiency in using evaluation models (e.g., Kirkpatrick) and analyzing learning impact data to recommend program improvements.
• Change Management: Ability to develop and deliver learning solutions that support organizational change initiatives.
• Considerable work experience collaborating with leaders (supervisor through executive leadership), teams and vendors on defining project needs, evaluating and assessing learning outcomes for continuous improvement, implementing programs to support organization, team and individual learning and development goals
• Experience coaching employees and organizational leaders through change, transition, promotion/growth, or in leading others

Additional Considerations

• Experience successfully leading teams and projects at various levels of the organization
• Certified learning professional, coach or strength-based assessment practitioner, instructional design background, diverse skills (technical, programmatic and human) in training design and delivery.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Please be advised that this position may be approved to work onsite for two days per week and work remotely for three days per week.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS- Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.