Position Description

Learning & Development Specialist

Full Title: Learning & Development Specialist

Supervisor: Director, Design & Innovation

Purpose: The Learning and Development Specialist will develop, deploy, and manage
training, technical assistance, coaching, and comprehensive continuous quality

improvement (CQI) services for a range of youth-serving organizations, including up to a

dozen 21st Century Community Learning Centers grantees across the state of Michigan, as

well as local and statewide out-of-school-time (OST) networks and national youth

development organizations. Working directly with program leaders and staff, the Learning &

Development Specialist uses their knowledge of youth development and management

practices, ability to collect and interpret organizational performance data, and demonstrated

excellence in coaching and facilitation to design and deliver training, provide coaching

support, and serve as a thought partner to the Forum’s clients, partners, organizations, and

colleagues.

Organization & Background

Founded in 1998, the Forum for Youth Investment is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan “action

tank” with a mission to advance equitable youth opportunities and outcomes through quality

capacity building and policy action across systems and sectors. It is our vision that all young

people reach their fullest potential – in education, work, and life.

The Forum is a thriving organization with a budget of $8 million, a staff of 40, and

headquarters in Washington, DC. The Forum overall is funded by a mix of foundations,

corporations, and a fee-for-service contract base.

In 2008, the Forum acquired the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality to

strengthen programs and adult practice by building the capacity of public and private

agencies to implement quality improvement and performance systems that simultaneously

foster professional learning and whole-child development. The Forum’s YPQ research -based

core products and services are currently used in more than 4,500 out-of-school time settings

nationally and form the basis for quality improvement systems in more than 140 publicly and

privately funded systems. The YPQ unit helps youth-serving systems build the safe,

supportive, interactive, and engaging environments that are foundational to youth

development. From data-driven tools to expert trainings, we equip leaders who serve young

people with the positive youth development and SEL-informed resources they need to create

a culture of continuous improvement for staff and for youth.

Position Responsibilities
The Learning & Development Specialist is a member of the Coaching & Training team, which

designs and delivers the Forum’s learning assets to our clients in the youth development field.

Our training workshops and coaching systems provide youth development professionals the

knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to implement quality practices in programs that

serve young people, and the tools to implement continuous quality improvement processes

in their corner of the ecosystems that support youth. The Learning & Development Specialist

will be responsible for maintenance and revision of our learning assets for managers, site

leaders, and coaches. The Specialist will also, in coordination with a team of staff, be

responsible for independently forging productive coaching relationships, developing and

delivering training workshops, and providing technical assistance to a set of Michigan 21 st

Century grantees to support their successful engagement with the Youth Program Quality

Improvement process.

Training Delivery to Promote Positive Youth Development & Management Practices: Deliver

training and technical assistance in support of the Forum for Youth Investment’s Weikart

Center’s continuous quality improvement, including workshops on program self-assessment,

data-based goal setting, and instructional and management practices.

Coaching & Technical Assistance to Support Youth Program Quality Improvement: Develop

strong working relationships with leadership teams to surface organizational strengths and

weaknesses, develop performance and improvement goals, and scaffold behaviors

necessary for successful action. Coaching may include support for leaders in multiple types

of roles, ranging from system leaders, site leaders, and program staff.

Field Collaboration and Thought Partnership : Coordinate project plans, contracts,

deliverables, and communication with youth serving systems and organizations, and other

stakeholders to support the development of sustainable continuous quality improvement

systems and to maximize the impact of the consulting/coaching relationship, customize

quality improvement plans for the local contexts, and assure the fit of training and technical

assistance services

Maintenance of Existing and Development of New Learning Assets: Create and maintain

training content and learning assets for delivery to internal and external stakeholders,

including but not limited to professional learning communities, formal and informal training

workshops, conference presentations, and resource documents.

Contributes to unit and organization-wide priorities and special projects as appropriate ,

assuming responsibility for other projects and new assignments related to the scope of this

role.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, or requirements or working conditions
associated with the job. While intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves
the right to revise the job or to require different tasks. This description does not constitute a contract of
employment and The Forum may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time

Performance/Character Requirements

We are looking for a leader with experience building exceptional staff teams that drive

growth. In this role you will create a division business development plan in partnership with

the EVP and other leaders. Then it’s time to get results through exceptional implementation of

the plan with the help of the team you lead. Characteristics of successful candidates

include:

• Manages Self – You ask for feedback on impact of your behavior on others. You

identify and follows through on actions in response to constructive feedback. You

honestly assess your own strengths and know what weaknesses need support.

• Leads Courageously – You act courageously to make changes that will improve the

organization. You consistently drive to successful outcomes and stay composed and

positive in challenging situations.

• Communicates Effectively – You communicate (both in writing and verbally) clearly,

succinctly, and in a timely manner. You provide information people need to know to

do their jobs, make accurate decisions, and to feel part of a team. You are able to

engage an audience and achieve the desired effect in a variety of formal

presentation settings.

• Builds High-Performing Teams/Develops Others – You form and lead teams capable

of getting results. You create a learning environment of creativity and

engagement. You can effectively raise and resolve conflict with the team. You provide

frequent and timely developmental feedback to others and construct compelling

developmental plans. You take personal responsibility for mentoring high-potential

employees.

• Makes Quality Decisions – You clearly state where you stand on issues, even if it is

unpopular. You seek input from appropriate parties before making decisions, and still

make timely decisions.

• Demonstrates Strategic Agility – You anticipate future consequences and trends

accurately. You’re able to align your goals to the overall organizational strategy. You

can create breakthrough strategies and plans.

• Demonstrates Business Acumen – You understand and create opportunities to

cultivate and support exceptional partnerships. You are able to make the case for

decisions and initiatives. You adapt strategies and tactics to create a success defined

by metrics.

• Influences and Negotiates – You influence others by building coalitions or alliances

among diverse groups. You effectively adapt influence strategies depending upon the

situation. You’re skillful at removing barriers that get in the way of effective

collaboration among groups.

• Manages Vision and Purpose – You inspire commitment to a compelling vision and

shared values. You create a climate in which people want to do their best. You’re able

to champion change and lead the organization through a transition.

and know how to craft strategic short and long-term programs that are aligned with

organizational goals. At the same time, you can’t wait to roll-up your sleeves and get

the work done.

• Is Goal Oriented – We want someone who is a doer, with doggedness, a determination

and commitment to reach a goal, and a strong bias toward action. You always find a

way to make it happen.

• Demonstrates Creativity – While there are tried-and-true tactics in your toolbox, you

explore new ways of thinking and continually strive to create best-in-class programs

that move your organization and field forward.

• Handles Ambiguity – You can effectively cope with change and lead others through

it.

directly, confidently, and accurately. You can also be very persuasive and influence

the way others think, feel, or behave.

• Collaborates & Values Relationships – You can quickly gain the respect and trust of

your direct reports, peers, and leadership team. You understand the importance of

listening, asking probing questions, and allowing others to be heard.

• Takes Risk – The entrepreneurial spirit shines through in your willingness to

experiment with new approaches and act even though the outcome is uncertain.

• Models Diplomacy – You have worked in diverse settings and understand the cultural

sensitivities of doing business with partners and clients around the country. You are

tactful in dealing with diverse people or situations.

• Exhibits Professional Acumen – You demonstrate confidence, experience, and poise

under pressure.

Qualifications

Five or more years of experience leading youth programs, facilitating trainings, coaching,

and/or supporting continuous improvement efforts. A degree in youth development, social

work, education, or related fields is required.

Preference for candidates who are endorsed as trainers of Weikart Center workshops (e.g.
graduates of Youth Work Methods TOT and Youth Work Management TOT); and who have

experience as external program quality assessors.

In addition, the successful candidate will have:

• A strong track record of delivering training and technical assistance to youth workers,

OST program managers, teachers, and/or related human service audiences in virtual

and/or in-person settings

• Direct experience with out-of-school-time (OST) professionals, particularly 21st CCLC

programs

• Knowledge of the Weikart Center’s Youth Program Quality Assessment, Youth Program

Quality Intervention, social and emotional learning resources, and/or low-stakes

quality improvement policies and systems.

• Strong knowledge of adult learning theory and program assessment strategies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present

complex information to diverse audiences

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects

simultaneously and meet deadlines

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to balance working independently within a

team-based environment

Working Location

The Learning & Development Specialist is a remote position that must be based in Michigan

and is part of a fully remote team. Occasional travel is expected for in-person team meetings

and client or field meetings (estimated 20% time).

Position & Compensation

The salary range, duties and responsibilities of this position meet the requirements of Section

(a) (1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore qualifies as an "exempt" position. The

salary range for this position is between $60K and $65k, dependent upon experience and

qualifications. Benefits include 15 vacation days per year, 10 sick days per year, health

insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, STD/LTD, AD&D, 403b contribution, parental

leave, and bereavement leave. Please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements

to: jobs@forumfyi.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If your application is

selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly. No telephone calls or inquiry emails,

please.

**
The Forum for Youth Investment is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal
Opportunity Employer and drug-free workplace, and to comply with ADA regulations as applicable. All applicants
are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy,
age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, severe/morbid obesity, medical condition, military/veteran
status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance
with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a
qualified candidate with a disability, please email us at jobs@forumfyi.org if you require a reasonable
accommodation to complete your application.