Technical Learning Specialist job

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Technical Learning and Development (TL&D) team is responsible for the consultation, design, development and delivery of learning solutions to equip JPL employees with the right skills and capabilities needed for their role. As a center of excellence (CoE), our vision is to engage our learners through adaptive, personalized learning experiences that target their continuous learning needs.

We currently have an opportunity for a Technical Learning Specialist, reporting to the Head of Technical Learning & Development within Human Resources. As the Technical Learning Specialist, you will be serving as a senior Learning Experience Designer, leading the design and development of innovative learning solutions and curricula for JPL’s strategic priorities, roles and focus areas. Using a blend of design thinking and instructional design methodologies, you will work in partnership with executive sponsors, stakeholders and subject matter experts to translate business problems into measurable and effective learning solutions that improve business performance and focus on bringing the best learning experience for our employees.

You will be a leader in designing user-centric learning solutions for a hybrid learning environment, and well versed in personalizing and integrating learning into the day-to-day of the modern learner, particularly in today’s hybrid environment. As the ideal candidate, you are a self-starting leader with a passion for instructional design and cognitive psychology, exceptional project management skills, and strong collaboration and communication skills.

The primary tools and systems you will work closely with include but not limited to Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Captivate, Camtasia, Degreed, SumTotal Learning Management System (LMS), LinkedIn Learning, and WebEx.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted learning advisor on effective, leading-edge learning solutions for the modern learner in a hybrid learning environment.
• Collaborate with senior level managers and subject matter experts across multiple disciplines / functional roles to translate business needs into learning specifications.
• Execute with strong project management skills the end-to-end design, development and delivery of role-based curriculum development plans and learning programs.
• Design, develop and deliver innovative learning solutions utilizing a variety of asynchronous and synchronous methods including videos, eLearning, instructor-led content (both virtual and in person), job aids, tool kits, guides, learning portals, and simulations.
• Apply a blend of the ADDIE and design thinking methodologies to address true business and user needs into measurable learning solutions.
• Collaborate with senior level managers and subject matter experts to define business & learner objectives, development priorities and implementation plans.
• Perform user evaluations to identify behavioral trends and insights and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement.
• Work in partnership with our internal build team and external vendors to design and develop learning products.
• Facilitate the delivery of pilot programs and package for hand-off to stakeholders.
• Assess the effectiveness & business impact of learning solutions through evaluation techniques.
• Oversee the maintenance and retirement of learning solutions.

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in adult learning and instructional design or similar discipline, with a minimum of 6 years’ work experience; or a master’s degree with 4 years’ work experience, or PhD with 2 years’ work experience.
• Must have at least six years’ experience in Instructional Design and Curriculum Development.
• Must have at least two years’ experience in project management.
• Strong experience in developing and delivering learning for a hybrid learning environment using both synchronous and asynchronous learning modalities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, WebEx or similar virtual Instructor-Led platforms, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong experience in facilitating collaborative workshops with senior leaders
• Working knowledge of Adult Learning Theory and Cognitive Behaviors.
• Experience in utilizing contract staff augmentation in the development of course materials.
• Demonstrated success in project management.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing and implementing learning for a technical workforce encompassing IT, business, engineering and other technical professionals.
• Experience working with Degreed or similar learning experience platforms.
• Experience in leading change management for learning projects through effective communication and user adoption plans.
• Experience applying design thinking principles.
• Experience in working with cross functional roles and disciplines.
• Ability to work autonomously with multiple stakeholders.

Note: As a temporary position, this assignment may last up to 36 months in duration with approvals based on 12-month assignments. However, please note that you are not under any employment contract and your temporary employment status can be terminated at any time, with or without notice.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.