Learning & Development Specialist - Human Resources - Committee for Public Counsel

The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking applicants for a new position that will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the agency by designing, implementing, and conducting comprehensive training programs focused on promoting professional development, management skills, and group dynamics. 

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •   Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one.  The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is committed to providing excellent customer service for all of our employees in a client-centered work environment characterized by dedication to the agency mission, inclusion, and respect for diversity. By ensuring that CPCS provides an inviting and supportive atmosphere for our staff, we can best support our staff in providing superior representation for our clients.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Learning and Development Specialist is a new position in the Human Resources Department and will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the agency by designing, implementing, and conducting comprehensive training programs focused on promoting professional development, management skills, and group dynamics.  The position will also work to improve the agency’s on-boarding and orientation program.  This position is essential for fostering a culture of continuous learning and ensuring that all employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform at their highest ability to achieve CPCS’ objectives and mission. 

The Learning and Development Specialist will work closely with the Training Department and the IT Department to accomplish the goals of the position. 

The Learning and Development Specialist will report to the Recruiting & Hiring Manager.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

•  Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Training and Development, Communications, or related field and at least four (4) years of training or related work, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills;
• Access to an automobile in order to travel; and,
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred;
• Masters degree preferred;
• Proven experience in learning and development, with a focus on management training and onboarding processes; 
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies;
• Adept with a variety of multimedia training platforms and methods;
• Ability to evaluate and research training options and alternatives;
• Ability to design and implement effective training and development;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related program software; 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with employees and diverse stakeholders; and,
• Passion for public defense and a commitment to social justice. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Learning and Development Specialist include, but are not limited to: 

• Assessing non-legal training and development needs through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and communications with managers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders;
• Developing non-legal training programs to fulfill training and development needs, including identifying and managing third party trainers;
• Creating and/or acquiring training resources, materials, handbooks, guides, and digital resources to support new and ongoing learning initiatives;
• Presenting and facilitating training sessions, workshops, and seminars that promote professional growth utilizing a variety of instructional techniques;
• Maintaining records of learning and development activities, attendance, and assessments;
• Establishing metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of training programs and processes through assessments, surveys, and feedback from participants and stakeholders;
• Working closely with the Training Department, the IT Department and other stakeholders as appropriate;
• Creating, organizing, planning, and presenting on-boarding and orientation of new employees as well as employees promoted into leadership and supervision roles;
• Developing and leading management training programs to enhance leadership capabilities among CPCS managers and supervisory staff;
• Maintaining knowledge of the latest trends in training, development, and adult learning;
• Promoting a culture of learning and development that encourages staff engagement and retention; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net