Director Utility Training

FirstEnergy Corp; Charles Town (WV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay + incentive

Company pension plan

401(k) with matching

Medical, prescription, dental, vision,

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Workforce diversity commitment

Job summary

FirstEnergy Corp invites applications for an executive training leader responsible for strategy, design and delivery of complex operational training across transmission, distribution and generation support. This on-site role oversees progression schools, safety standards, audits, and workforce development programs across FE locations, including Charleston, WV.

The position requires 10+ years in energy training leadership, masterful instructional design, and strong budgeting/communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Education, Organizational Learning, Safety, Engineering, Business, or related field) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in energy or utility training leadership and/or workforce development (e.g., electric utility, nuclear, power generation), including direct responsibility for craft progression schools and field-based qualification programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading progression schools and field-based qualification programs for craft roles in energy or Transmission & Distribution (e.g., line, substation, relay/protection, switching, underground, power generation) including curricula, assessments, and instructor standards.
• Extensive experience designing and managing compliance and safety training for electric power work, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 requirements, qualification concepts, and audit-ready training documentation.
• Working knowledge of instructional systems design and evaluation, including ADDIE/SAT practices and the use of evaluation instruments to measure training effectiveness and determine qualification for safety-critical tasks.
• Proven experience establishing, improving, or scaling apprenticeship programs (including related instruction and on-the-job training alignment), preferably in a union environment.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing diverse talent, setting performance expectations, and delivering results through a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Strong program management skills (process design, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous improvement) with the ability to influence across a matrix organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical work practices into effective learning experiences and clear expectations for multiple audiences.
• Ability to travel as needed and work extended hours to support employees working at multiple locations across FE's service territory, including support of storm restoration roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Utility Training function, accountable for safety, compliance, quality, and effectiveness of training delivered to Transmission & Distribution (T&D) operations and supporting groups.
• Own and evolve FE's progression-school strategy (e.g., distribution line worker, transmission line worker, substation, relay/protection, underground, transmission) including curriculum roadmaps, sequencing, prerequisites, and readiness criteria aligned to job task analysis and field performance expectations.
• Establish and enforce a Systematic Approach to Training (SAT)/ADDIE governance model for analyzing work, designing instruction, developing materials, implementing delivery, and evaluating results for T&D training programs.
• Design and deploy standardized evaluation instruments (knowledge/skill assessments, job performance measures, performance checklists, field validations, observation guides) and an outcome measurement strategy (Reaction/Learning/Behavior/Results) to demonstrate training impact and target continuous improvement.
• Lead compliance training strategy and execution for electric power operations, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 related to training qualification, refresher criteria, safe work practices and documentation practices, in partnership with Corporate Safety, Operations, and Labor.
• Maintain "leading with safety" culture across all training environments (yards, labs, substations, classrooms, mobile/field training), ensuring training activities, equipment, and simulations meet applicable safety requirements and are risk-assessed prior to delivery.
• Provide enterprise oversight for registered/recognized apprenticeship programs (e.g., distribution line worker, substation electrician) including standards, related instruction, on-the-job training alignment, progression, completion, and continuous partnership with labor unions and joint training committees.
• Build instructor capability through train-the-trainer standards, coaching, classroom/field observation, and technical qualification expectations; ensure consistent delivery across locations and modalities (in-person, blended, e-learning, and simulation).
• Own training records governance for utility training programs (LMS and supporting systems), ensuring accurate completion data, qualifications, and evidence packages that support internal controls and readiness for internal/external audits and regulatory reviews.
• Develop the annual training forecast and multi-year capability plan aligned to Operations workforce plans, capital programs, major work methods changes, and emerging technologies; manage the operating and capital budgets for training assets and facilities.
• Partner with T&D Operations leaders to translate business needs into training solutions, coordinate training impacts for major initiatives, and drive timely change management communications across a matrixed environment.
• Continuously benchmark against utility industry best practices for T&D training (progression schools, field assessment, simulation, and safety training) and apply improvements based on data and stakeholder feedback.
• Support the FirstEnergy storm restoration process with a dedicated storm role, ensuring training readiness for incident response, mutual assistance, and emergency work practices.

Skills

Leadership

Instructional design

ADDIE/SAT

Curriculum development

Communication

Team leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Organizational Learning, Safety, Engineering, Business, or related field

Master's degree in a related field (preferred)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger. FirstEnergy(NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU] This is a full-time, on-site position in any FirstEnergy location in OH, NJ, PA, WV/MD including: Akron, OH; Holmdel, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Reading, PA, Charleston, WV, Williamsport, MD

The executive leadership position is responsible for leading the strategy, design and implementation of operational training and supporting activities across FirstEnergy. This includes training curriculums, staffing strategies, and training needed for employees to safely and effectively fulfill their responsibilities in areas including distribution, transmission, and generation craft lines, customer service and energy delivery process and systems including emergency preparedness. It also includes establishing and monitoring organizational goals, policies, plans, performance objectives and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Utility Training function, accountable for safety, compliance, quality, and effectiveness of training delivered to Transmission & Distribution (T&D) operations and supporting groups.


• Own and evolve FE's progression-school strategy (e.g., distribution line worker, transmission line worker, substation, relay/protection, underground, transmission) including curriculum roadmaps, sequencing, prerequisites, and readiness criteria aligned to job task analysis and field performance expectations.


• Establish and enforce a Systematic Approach to Training (SAT)/ADDIE governance model for analyzing work, designing instruction, developing materials, implementing delivery, and evaluating results for T&D training programs.


• Design and deploy standardized evaluation instruments (knowledge/skill assessments, job performance measures, performance checklists, field validations, observation guides) and an outcome measurement strategy (Reaction/Learning/Behavior/Results) to demonstrate training impact and target continuous improvement.


• Lead compliance training strategy and execution for electric power operations, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 related to training qualification, refresher criteria, safe work practices and documentation practices, in partnership with Corporate Safety, Operations, and Labor.


• Maintain "leading with safety" culture across all training environments (yards, labs, substations, classrooms, mobile/field training), ensuring training activities, equipment, and simulations meet applicable safety requirements and are risk-assessed prior to delivery.


• Provide enterprise oversight for registered/recognized apprenticeship programs (e.g., distribution line worker, substation electrician) including standards, related instruction, on-the-job training alignment, progression, completion, and continuous partnership with labor unions and joint training committees.


• Build instructor capability through train-the-trainer standards, coaching, classroom/field observation, and technical qualification expectations; ensure consistent delivery across locations and modalities (in-person, blended, e-learning, and simulation).


• Own training records governance for utility training programs (LMS and supporting systems), ensuring accurate completion data, qualifications, and evidence packages that support internal controls and readiness for internal/external audits and regulatory reviews.


• Develop the annual training forecast and multi-year capability plan aligned to Operations workforce plans, capital programs, major work methods changes, and emerging technologies; manage the operating and capital budgets for training assets and facilities.


• Partner with T&D Operations leaders to translate business needs into training solutions, coordinate training impacts for major initiatives, and drive timely change management communications across a matrixed environment.


• Continuously benchmark against utility industry best practices for T&D training (progression schools, field assessment, simulation, and safety training) and apply improvements based on data and stakeholder feedback.


• Support the FirstEnergy storm restoration process with a dedicated storm role, ensuring training readiness for incident response, mutual assistance, and emergency work practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (Education, Organizational Learning, Safety, Engineering, Business, or related field) or equivalent combination of education and experience.


• 10+years of relevant experience in energy or utility training leadership and/or workforce development (e.g., electric utility, nuclear, power generation), including direct responsibility for craft progression schools and field-based qualification programs.


• Demonstrated experience leading progression schools and field-based qualification programs for craft roles in energy or Transmission & Distribution (e.g., line, substation, relay/protection, switching, underground, power generation) including curricula, assessments, and instructor standards.


• Extensive experience designing and managing compliance and safety training for electric power work, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 requirements, qualification concepts, and audit-ready training documentation.


• Working knowledge of instructional systems design and evaluation, including ADDIE/SAT practices and the use of evaluation instruments to measure training effectiveness and determine qualification for safety-critical tasks.


• Proven experience establishing, improving, or scaling apprenticeship programs (including related instruction and on-the-job training alignment), preferably in a union environment.


• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing diverse talent, setting performance expectations, and delivering results through a culture of accountability and inclusion.


• Strong program management skills (process design, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous improvement) with the ability to influence across a matrix organization.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical work practices into effective learning experiences and clear expectations for multiple audiences.


• Ability to travel as needed and work extended hours to support employees working at multiple locations across FE's service territory, including support of storm restoration roles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Adult Education, Instructional Design, Organizational Development, Safety, Engineering, or a related field.


• Professional safety and training credentials (e.g., CSP/ASP, CHST, ATD) and/or demonstrated expertise delivering OSHA-aligned programs.


• Hands-on craft or frontline supervision experience in T&D (line, substation, relay/protection, or underground) is a plus.


• Experience with learning technologies (LMS administration, digital content tools, blended learning, simulation) and using analytics to improve completion, proficiency, and field performance outcomes.


• Experience with Department of Labor registered apprenticeship standards and utility industry training best practices.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation.


• Company-sponsored pension plan.


• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution.


• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs.


• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement.

FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract.

Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team