Driver Training Specialist

AUSTIN POWDER COMPANY; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder Company is seeking a Driver Training Specialist to lead and enhance the Driver Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. You will work with corporate management to develop training content and ensure safety-focused operations for CDL drivers.

The role requires 5+ years training CDL drivers, familiarity with DOT regulations, and the ability to collaborate across departments to maintain high-quality training records and onboarding processes.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required; college degree preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience training CDL truck drivers.
• Experience with DOT regulations is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop policies and procedures for the Driver Academy.
• Train drivers on company policies, DOT regulations, and industry best practices.
• Lead classroom training and driver simulator evaluation.
• Coordinate travel/logistics for driver candidates to and from the academy.
• Maintain training records and ensure onboarding compliance.

Skills

Driver training

Curriculum development

Defensive driving training

Policy development

Interdepartmental collaboration

Public speaking / presentation

Documentation and records

Education

HS Diploma or GED

College degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Teams

Job description

Join the Family - Come work for an exciting company offering great benefits, challenging opportunities, and colleagues who feel more like family.

Job Summary

Austin Powder Company is looking for a Driver Training Specialist to join the Operations team at our corporate headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. This individual will work closely with corporate management in overseeing daily operations of our new Austin Powder Driver Academy located in Cleveland, Ohio. The Driver Training Specialist will play a key role in ensuring that Austin Powder CDL drivers are trained to operate with safety as their number one priority. This individual will also ensure that drivers are trained to follow DOT regulations and company policies. The position will interface with all levels of the organization to develop and deliver training of consistent quality and produce driver candidates that represent the company with the utmost safety and professionalism. He or she must represent the Academy with drive and determination to deliver top quality driver candidates to our US locations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Work inter-departmentally to develop policies and procedures related to the Austin Powder Driver Academy, as well as content specific to its operation such as lesson plans and handouts.
• Use existing content to train and evaluate drivers on a variety of company policies, DOT regulations and industry best practices.
• Conduct hazardous materials training and function-specific special permit training in accordance with 49CFR§172.704.
• Lead classroom training using Austin Powder’s Defensive Driver Training module and train driver candidates in developing an understanding of the fundamentals of defensive driving.
• Oversee employee training and evaluation in truck driver simulator.
• Train drivers in proper use of in-cab technologies such as ELDs, while reinforcing DOT hours of service rules and related company policies.
• Evaluate drivers on‑road performance by ride‑along training (non‑CMVs), teaching commentary driving, and applying defensive driver concepts.
• Work with field contacts and corporate associates to manage travel and logistics for driver candidates coming to/from academy.
• Conduct periodic training sessions with and keep training records for Austin’s group of Driver Coaches.
• Work with Human Resources to ensure driver candidates complete all required new hire onboarding before undergoing driver candidate training.
• Maintain training records and driver qualification files as required by 49CFR§391.
• Periodically participate in additional training initiatives as directed by corporate management.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the company’s corporate transportation objectives.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for the performance of this position.It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• HS Diploma or GED (college degree preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.
• 5+ years’ experience working w/ CDL truck drivers in a training capacity
• Experience in DOT regulations is strongly preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Flexible Running of Driver Academy may require flexibility in working alternate days to Austin’s current hybrid schedule and occasionally evening or weekend hours.
• Be prepared to adapt curriculum and technique to match driver candidates’ individual experience levels.
• Collaborative and Creative Must feel comfortable working with all levels of Austin Powder employees.
• A high energy manager who presents a positive appearance to driver candidates and represents the Driver Academy with a professional outlook.
• Draw on your creativity to make the Driver Academy engaging and enjoyable for driver candidates.
• Organization of Work Demonstrates the ability to handle several projects simultaneously. Must be a self-starter. Continually seek ways to improve performance via development of professional skills and personal growth.
• Communication Skills Strong writing skills to develop clear, concise documents and reports. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees of all levels. Solid presentation skills to deliver effective and engaging interactions with driver candidates.

Equal Opportunity

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41CFR60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.