Second Chance Program Training Specialist

SALARY

$75,904.12

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Second Chance Program provides individuals who face barriers to employment with an opportunity to obtain full-time, temporary employment and training through positions cleaning CTA trains, buses, and facilities. Under direction, develops, implements, facilitates, and evaluates all new and existing career-related training and development programs designed for and given to various departments within the Authority. Leads training activities and learning initiatives and conducts needs assessments to evaluate the success of training programs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and conducts training programs developed and administered by the Workforce Partnerships as it relates to Second Chance Program, and other career-related programs, workshops, and initiatives.
• Facilitates new hire orientations for a variety of programs acclimating new employees to the organization's policies, procedures and safety standards.
• Facilitates existing and new training programs and oversees learner performance.
• Facilitates structured learning experiences and monitors results for continuous improvement.
• Incorporates experiential learning activities and other learning best practices to support established learning objectives.
• Conducts pilot programs to evaluate content, activities and objectives for implementation or redevelopment.
• Conducts Train-the-Trainer sessions when new programs are being implemented or new trainers are onboarded to ensure best practices and training standards are followed.
• Proctor exams associated with training and development programs.
• Responsible for the execution of training logistics, including scheduling, set-up, registrations, follow up, etc.
• Communicates and coordinates with external agency partners and organizations to ensure participant engagement in training programs.
• Designs and develops training programs.
• Researches and develops training programs to meet department and organizational needs following adult learning theories, industry best practices, and department processes.
• Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, or consultations with supervisors or instructors.
• Designs, develops and oversees the production of instructional guides, student guides, classroom materials and job aids using the current best practices and processes.
• Designs and develops pilot and special programs for business unit personnel.
• Develops program activities to meet the needs of the Second Chance Program and other career development initiatives.
• Develops and administers evaluation of existing programs to determine effectiveness of training program content and teaching methodology and identify materials for revision.
• Manages current and historical program files and data for analysis and internal and external communication and reporting. Designs and distributes engagement materials for Second Chance Program participants.
• Conducts research and outreach for various programs to effectively address the developmental needs of employees and program participants.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

Job Title

None

CHALLENGES

• Supporting the increasing demand for training without depleting our client-limited workforce (working around their schedule without interrupting the quality-of-service downtime).
• Keeping abreast of the Authority trends to identify training needs by evaluating strengths and weaknesses.
• Keeping abreast of new learning and development trends and tools. Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books and magazine articles.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Development (HRD), Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Training, Workforce Development, learning and development or related field, plus, three (3) years of experience in designing, developing, implementing, and facilitating training programs, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive knowledge of instructional design, adult learning theories and program development.
• Familiarity with in-person, virtual and hybrid training methods, tools and techniques.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity and fingering for working with computer keyboards.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to design multiple training events in a corporate setting-virtually, in person and hybrid.
• Ability to master the full training cycle.
• Working knowledge of learning management software.
• Working knowledge of talent management and succession planning.
• Working knowledge of visual communication tools such Piktochart and Canva.
• Strong computer software skills, including use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain amiable relations with various levels of Authority personnel and outside government agencies and corporate organizations.
• Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Occasionally required to work in garages, terminals, shops, various field locations, and along the right-of-way exposed to moving vehicles, energized apparatus, noise, dust, etc.
• Subject to normal garage/shop hazards such as noise, dust grease, moving vehicles, etc. when visiting field locations.
• Required to work various hours, days, and locations.
• Required to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
• Required to travel to various work locations to facilitate training.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Person computer and related software (Microsoft Office Suite, Captivate and In-Design).
• Presentation equipment and software.