How to hire an elearning specialist

How to hire an elearning specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step elearning specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an elearning specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new elearning specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The elearning specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect elearning specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of elearning specialists.

   Type of Elearning Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Elearning Specialist	Training and development specialists plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.	$22-52
   Trainer Lead	As a training lead, you are responsible for overseeing a company's employee training and development activities. You are also expected to perform various tasks that may include identifying training needs for the organization, supervising trainers' work, and developing effective employee training programs... Show more	$22-53
   Corporate Trainer	A corporate trainer is someone who essentially works as a teacher in a corporate setting. Daily duties include training employees with new company systems, skills, and strategies... Show more	$19-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • ELearning
   • Instructional Design
   • Learning Management System
   • Subject Matter Experts
   • HTML
   • SCORM
   • Learning Objectives
   • Blended Learning
   • Course Content
   • Training Content
   • Animation
   • SMEs
   • Adobe Captivate
   • Led Training

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the integration of the student information system Jenzabar CX/JICS with Moodle.
   • Develop evaluation and tracking instruments in HTML, XML and JavaScript.
   • Use a modify version of ADDIE to build courses.
   • Create graphics for ILT themes, company posters, etc.
   • Provide integration with technology resources to stakeholders via the web and provides professional development activities through eLearning instructional modules.
   • Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your elearning specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An elearning specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, elearning specialists' average salary in alaska is 49% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level elearning specialists 58% less than senior-level elearning specialists.
   • Certifications. An elearning specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an elearning specialist's salary.

   Average elearning specialist salary

   $71,898yearly

   $34.57 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level elearning specialist salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an elearning specialist job description

   An elearning specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an elearning specialist job description:

   Elearning specialist job description example

   Integrates learning curriculum for courses and programs onto various learning platforms including e-learning, virtual learning, and web applications using multiple authoring and multimedia tools.
   
   Partners with Instructional Design Specialists to develop courses that are learner-centered and user-friendly. Applies instructional design principles and adult learning theory in developing content objectives, content analysis and information mapping.
   
   Collaborate with subject matter experts who provide the knowledge transfer to ensure appropriate course content and learner application.
   
   Ensures that all learning needs, requirements and established standards are met in regard to the technology platform the curriculum is deployed on.
   
   Develops the interface that the learner will engage in during training to enhance the user experience and ensure accessibility.
   
   Works collaboratively with customers and instructional designers to plan, develop, and execute innovative projects that relate to digital learning, such as MOOCs, digital learning platforms, learning analytics, etc.
   
   Advises designers and customers on the options and best modes of delivery for various types of training.
   
   Organizes and leads efforts to ensure that learning and development employees remain current with training and development technology, including multi-media training delivery systems.
   Required Skills:
   Ability to communicate in writing in a succinct and organized manner; producing written materials, taking into account proper audience, content, format, and grammar. Ability to develop instructional content compliant with Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) and Section 508 Accessibility requirements. Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices in adult learning theory, instructional technology, instructional theory and practice. Skill using authoring tools to plan and develop learning content (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Connect Pro, Photoshop, Articulate, Captivate, and video editing software). Ability to coordinate with managers and employees to develop and implement training materials. Ability to develop effective digital and eLearning courses using established design methodologies and various learning technologies. Desired Skills:
   Organizational Skills, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving/Analysis. ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. ECS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.
   ECS is a leading mid-sized provider of technology services to the United States Federal Government. We are focused on people, values and purpose. Every day, our 3000+ employees focus on providing their technical talent to support the Federal Agencies and Departments of the US Government to serve, protect and defend the American People.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right elearning specialist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your elearning specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit elearning specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting elearning specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new elearning specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the elearning specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new elearning specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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