Learning and Development Specialist

Colas Inc. is the corporate office of Colas USA, a materials and heavy highway/infrastructure leader that began operations in 1979 with the acquisition of Barrett Paving Materials. The headquarters office is located in Morristown, New Jersey, with employees also working within five subsidiary companies operating throughout the United States from New York to Alaska. The Colas USA Family of Companies provides competitive pay, outstanding benefits, career advancement opportunities, professional education, and extensive training for every employee.

About the role

We’re hiring a hands-on Learning & Development Specialist to design, develop, and deliver blended learning that improves safety, quality, technical skills, and operational performance across Colas USA’s field operations. You will partner with operations SMEs to translate field knowledge into practical, learner-centered curricula, eLearning, job aids, and competency assessments. Deliver classroom, virtual, and field-based training, lead train-the-trainer sessions, and coach supervisors to ensure consistent skill application on the job.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with subject matter experts and instructional designers to develop training modules, programs, and workshops that align with business needs and target audiences.
• Create and maintain facilitator guides, eLearning modules, videos, assessments, and performance support tools.
• Facilitate training sessions using various instructional methods such as presentations, instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (VILT), train-the-trainer programs, hands-on skills activities in variable field conditions, group discussions, and simulations.
• Tailor training materials and content to meet the specific needs and skill levels of participants, considering factors such as experience, job roles, and desired outcomes.
• Conduct needs analyses and build competency-based training pathways.
• Provide instruction and hands-on training in construction-related areas, including construction techniques, safety protocols, project field management, construction management, quality control, job start-up, KPIs, and industry regulations.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, advancements, and regulations to ensure training materials remain current and relevant.
• Coordinate with Operations, Safety, HR, and vendors to schedule training and ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
• Offer guidance, mentorship, and support to participants during and after training sessions, addressing questions and concerns and providing additional resources as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of training sessions, participant attendance, evaluations, and outcomes.
• Generate reports on training effectiveness, participant performance, and areas of improvement.
• Track learning outcomes in an LMS, analyze results, and iterate materials to improve transfer and business impact.

Requirements

• 3–5 years in L&D or instructional design, ideally in heavy industry, construction materials, quarrying, or equipment-intensive operations; field experience preferred.
• Skilled in blended design (ADDIE/SAM), authoring tools (Articulate/Captivate), LMS administration, and virtual platforms.
• Experience using Artificial Intelligence platforms (Chat GPT, Copilot, Claude, Gemini) to increase efficiency, solve problems, and support rapid development of supplemental materials.
• Strong facilitation skills for virtual instructor-led and instructor-led training, coaching, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
• A self-starter mentality and the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and integrity.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Travel 35-55%.

Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree in Adult Education, HR, Instructional/Curriculum Design, or relevant discipline. Industry experience and certifications accepted as substitute for formal education.
• ATD or other industry certifications a plus.
• OSHA or safety certifications and bilingual Spanish/English are a plus.

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $96,300.00 - $117,700.00 USD based on experience.