Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference
Keep the world’s supply chain moving. That’s what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you’re at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there’s one thread that ties everyone together. We’re all on the same team. One Watco.
Here’s what you can expect from Watco:
- Award-winning culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
- Career advancement opportunities
Job Summary
The Instructional eLearning Designer is responsible for full lifecycle design, development, implementation, and evaluation of eLearning modules and performance support tools targeted at operations, safety, and support functions across the transportation domain. This role will engage subject matter experts across rail, transload, logistics, and safety to translate the business and operational goals - such as incident reduction, safety culture, regulatory compliance, and efficiency - into measurable, engaging, and effective eLearning experiences.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct front-end analysis and performance gap assessments with operational leaders, safety teams, field supervisors, and subject matter experts
- Define learning objectives and performance criteria based on operational key metrics.
- Design instructional eLearning that complements ILT & vILT strategies for a blended-learning solution.
- Create and author eLearning content using Articulate Storyline/Rise, Adobe Captivate, etc.
- Collaborate with SMEs to validate the accuracy of content and its adherence to adult learning theory.
- Oversee the conversion of existing training materials into optimized digital formats.
- Develop evaluation plans: Kirkpatrick levels 1 4 and analytics for training effectiveness.
- Collaborate across teams to integrate training into broader operational excellence and safety culture programs.
- Maintain current knowledge of instructional design and eLearning trends.
- Manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Conduct front-end analysis and performance gap assessments with operational leaders, safety teams, field supervisors, and subject matter experts.
- Define learning objectives and performance criteria based on operational key metrics.
- Design instructional eLearning that complements ILT & vILT strategies for a blended-learning solution.
- Hybrid work environment: remote/home office with periodic on-site presence.
- Travel (5-20%) to field locations, training centers, and leadership meetings.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of experience in instructional design/eLearning development.
- Authoring tool proficiency using Articulate 360, and Adobe Captivate.
- Strong understanding of adult learning theory and instructional design models: ADDIE, SAM.
- Project management and communication skills.
- Ability to translate technical and operational content into engaging eLearning experiences.
- Proficiency in MS Office and virtual delivery platforms.
Preferred
- Experience in transportation/logistics/heavy industrial environments.
- Knowledge of safety culture programs
- Experience of simulations, scenario based learning, and mobile learning.
Success Metrics / KPIs
- On time delivery of eLearning modules.
- Learner satisfaction and engagement scores.
- Completion and certification rates within target timelines.
- Learning transfer metrics and business impact: Kirkpatrick Level 3 4.
- Adoption and feedback from field teams.
Culture & Values Fit
- Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work effectively in operations-driven environments.
- Collaborative, people-focused, and growth-oriented mindset.
- Enthusiastic about learning innovation and creating measurable impact.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning & Development, Educational Technology, or related field.