Senior Learning and Development Specialist - Pittsburgh

Barber National Institute; Pittsburgh, Northern (Allegheny County, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Barber National Institute in Erie, PA seeks a Learning & Development Specialist to deliver engaging training for staff supporting children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. You will lead orientations, compliance, behavioral support training, Medication Administration, CPR, and professional development programs.

You will work with operational leaders and HR to identify learning needs, facilitate instructor-led training, provide coaching, evaluate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Two to five years of experience facilitating training, onboarding, learning and development, education, or adult learning.
• Experience leading instructor‑led classroom or virtual training sessions.
• Experience in healthcare, human services, behavioral health, education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with LMS and training technologies.
• Direct support or operational experience with training responsibilities is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel regionally.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications including CPR, Medication Administration, and Behavioral Safety training.

Responsibilities

• Lead NADSP Certification Program, helping team members advance their careers through nationally recognized credentials.
• Design and deliver innovative learning solutions that build team member capability, competency, and growth.
• Partner with leaders to develop talent, enhance performance, and strengthen workforce development initiatives.
• Coach and support team members through certification, professional development, and career pathway opportunities.
• Use data and insights to measure program success and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion a culture of learning, growth, and excellence across the organization.
• Facilitating engaging in‑person and virtual training programs, including New Employee Orientation, compliance training, Medication Administration, CPR, behavioral support, and others.
• Creating a positive and welcoming onboarding experience that helps new employees connect with Barber National Institute’s mission, culture, and values.
• Managing assigned certification programs by scheduling classes, tracking renewals, verifying competencies, and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Partnering with supervisors and operational leaders to identify learning needs and reinforce best practices.
• Observing employees in program settings to ensure training is applied safely and effectively while providing coaching and feedback.
• Updating presentations, participant guides, job aids, and other training materials to reflect regulatory changes and organizational needs.
• Tracking training participation, certifications, and compliance requirements through the organization’s LMS and HRIS systems.
• Evaluating training effectiveness through participant feedback, assessments, and field observations to continuously improve learning experiences.
• Collaborating with Human Resources, Learning & Development teammates, and subject matter experts to support employee development initiatives.
• Traveling to regional Barber National Institute locations on a rotating basis to deliver training and support staff development.
• Working occasional evenings and weekends to meet organizational training needs.

Skills

Adult learning principles

Classroom facilitation

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Training needs assessment

Coaching & mentoring

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field

Equivalent experience

Tools

LMS

HRIS platforms

Microsoft Office

Training technologies

Data tracking tools

Job description

Overview

As a Learning & Development Specialist at Barber National Institute, you will support our mission of "Making Dreams Come True" by delivering engaging learning experiences that prepare employees to provide exceptional support to children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges.

Serving as one of the primary faces of Learning & Development, you will facilitate New Employee Orientation, compliance training, behavioral support training, Medication Administration, CPR, and professional development programs for professional and paraprofessional staff. You will play a key role in creating a welcoming onboarding experience while helping employees build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in their roles.

Working closely with operational leaders, Human Resources, and subject matter experts, you will identify learning needs, facilitate instructor‑led training, provide coaching and follow‑up support, evaluate training effectiveness, and update training materials to ensure employees receive consistent, high‑quality learning experiences.

This position is primarily based in Erie and requires travel to Barber National Institute locations on a rotating basis, including Pittsburgh and occasionally the Philadelphia area. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to meet organizational training needs.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and effective classroom facilitation techniques.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills for both in‑person and virtual training environments.
• Ability to engage learners, build confidence, and create an interactive learning experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple training schedules and priorities.
• Ability to assess learning effectiveness and use feedback to improve training delivery.
• Experience updating and maintaining training materials, presentations, and learning resources.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Learning Management Systems (LMS), HRIS platforms, and other learning technologies.
• Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills with employees, supervisors, and operational leaders.
• Self‑motivated with the initiative to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Willingness to travel regionally on a rotating basis and work occasional evenings and weekends.

What You’ll Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Two to five years of experience facilitating training, onboarding, learning and development, education, or adult learning.
• Experience leading instructor‑led classroom or virtual training sessions.
• Experience in healthcare, human services, behavioral health, education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and training technologies.
• Direct support or operational experience with training responsibilities is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel throughout Barber National Institute’s service areas.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications including CPR, Medication Administration, and Behavioral Safety training.

A Typical Day May Include

• Lead BNI’s NADSP Certification Program, helping team members advance their careers through nationally recognized credentials.
• Design and deliver innovative learning solutions that build team member capability, competency, and growth.
• Partner with leaders to develop talent, enhance performance, and strengthen workforce development initiatives.
• Coach and support team members through certification, professional development, and career pathway opportunities.
• Use data and insights to measure program success and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion a culture of learning, growth, and excellence across the organization.
• Facilitating engaging in‑person and virtual training programs, including New Employee Orientation, compliance training, Medication Administration, CPR, behavioral support, and others.
• Creating a positive and welcoming onboarding experience that helps new employees connect with Barber National Institute’s mission, culture, and values.
• Managing assigned certification programs by scheduling classes, tracking renewals, verifying competencies, and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Partnering with supervisors and operational leaders to identify learning needs and reinforce best practices.
• Observing employees in program settings to ensure training is applied safely and effectively while providing coaching and feedback.
• Updating presentations, participant guides, job aids, and other training materials to reflect regulatory changes and organizational needs.
• Tracking training participation, certifications, and compliance requirements through the organization’s LMS and HRIS systems.
• Evaluating training effectiveness through participant feedback, assessments, and field observations to continuously improve learning experiences.
• Collaborating with Human Resources, Learning & Development teammates, and subject matter experts to support employee development initiatives.
• Traveling to regional Barber National Institute locations on a rotating basis to deliver training and support staff development.
• Working occasional evenings and weekends to meet organizational training needs.