Learning and Development Specialist (12 months)

Job Number:J0725-0880

Job Type:Contract

Contract Duration (months):12 months

Job Location:Toronto

Role Designation: Flexible Hybrid - In person days can be flexible from week to week subject to manager approval and operational requirements.

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: August 18, 2025

Closing Date: August 31, 2025

Salary: $73,973.00 - $96,164.00/Year

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

About Legal Aid Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment, consider this opportunity below.

Primary Function

The Learning and Development Specialist is a trusted advisor, responsible for leading and delivering a wide range of learning and talent development services to enhance individual, team, and organizational performance across the organization. The role is part of a collaborative learning and development team who work closely with LAO’s management and HR partners to analyse performance needs, determine the appropriate methods to address gaps, develop and implement solutions.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working collaboratively, taking on new challenges, and the opportunity to develop and lead training in a wide range of subject areas.

Home Location: Toronto Provincial Office

Secondary Location: n/a

Reporting to: Manager, Talent and Organizational Development

Key Accountabilities

• Design inclusive learning solutions and facilitate engaging learning experiences in areas such as, but not limited to, team performance, new employee orientation and digital technologies, in support of LAO’s strategic goals.

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to complete needs analyses and tailor learning solutions to team and organizational needs.

• Develop instructional materials and deliver training programs using a blend of virtual and in-person learning.

• Recommend appropriate evaluation strategies for learning programs, including developing the evaluation of learning outcomes, analyzing and reporting on metrics, and providing strategic feedback on program improvements and talent strategies in alignment with business needs.

• Develop and maintain positive key relationships and partnerships with internal clients and external providers.

• Anticipate needs of internal clients based on organizational objectives and strategic goals to assist the client with the development of the appropriate training and development plans and actions.

• Provide advice and direction to subject matter experts on training strategies and formats for projects and initiatives.

• Draft communications about learning and development programs and contribute content for the learning and development intranet site.

• Manage and coordinate external vendors and contracts for training services.

• Facilitate departmental or divisional meetings that support employee engagement and team effectiveness.

• Research and keep up-to-date with learning best practices, trends and advancements in technology to innovate and continuously improve programs.

• Promote and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong ability to apply adult learning principles and a combination of training, education and experience that demonstrates knowledge and experience of adult learning fundamentals and best practices.

• Strong ability to design and facilitate engaging learning experiences.

• Experience managing a full training cycle from needs analysis to program evaluation.

• Knowledge of in-person and virtual training methods the ability to develop training programs that integrate methods to meet learning objectives.

• Experience developing training in remote learning environments, and with alternative and technology-based training delivery methods such as e-learning and e-learning authoring tools

• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write in a clear and concise manner and convey information appropriately for the intended audiences

• Strong communications, interpersonal consulting and relationship building skills

• Interest in technology and strong proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint,

• Experience effectively facilitating and producing training using Teams and Zoom.

• Excellent planning and organizational skills, flexible with change and able to meet deadlines.

Assets

• Bachelor’s degree, diploma or certificate in Human Resources, adult education, instructional design or related experience

• Certification in training

• Understanding of Legal Aid Ontario services and operations or work experience within LAO

• Experience training within the public sector or legal field

• Proficiency in written and oral French is an asset

If you’re excited about this opportunity but your skills and experience do not 100% align, you may bring something else to the role we hadn’t considered. We encourage you to submit a cover letter and resume in a single document and let us know why you are the right person for the role.

What We Offer

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage. Legal Aid Ontario also offers a personal spending account which is an allotment of funds geared to supporting your mental, physical and financial well-being.

Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy, including 17 vacation days per year at hire, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays.

Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB).

How to Apply

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Note: If a permanent employee, currently represented by OPSEU, is the successful candidate for this opportunity, they will return to their home position at the conclusion of this assignment, if the position continues to exist.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.

Already have a Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.

Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.

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Learning And Development Specialist