Instructional Designer, Rail Training (O&M)

RTD - Regional Transportation District of Denver, CO (RTD); United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

RTD is seeking an instructional designer to design, develop, and implement training programs for its light rail and commuter rail operations. You will create full courses, curricula, and multimedia content, collaborating with subject matter experts and instructors to ensure clarity, accuracy, and instructional quality.

The role requires strong instructional design, analytical abilities, and project management skills to support safe, reliable rail service and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience in training, curriculum development, or instructional design.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in training, curriculum development, or instructional design, preferably in rail or transit operations and maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing training programs and learning materials in classroom, e‑Learning, blended, and simulation formats.
• Familiarity with rail operations and maintenance environments, including light rail and commuter rail vehicles, systems, and support functions.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• No DUI, DWI, or Reckless Driving violations in the past 5 years.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement engaging learning activities and comprehensive course content for rail operations and maintenance training programs.
• Identify learning objectives, performance expectations, and required skills for safe operation and maintenance of rail vehicles.
• Conduct needs assessments and gap analyses to address deficiencies in current courses and select appropriate learning experiences.
• Develop and manage full courses and curricula, including materials, resources, activities, assignments, and assessments.
• Create and test multimedia content such as video, audio, simulations, and interactive elements.
• Write scripts and develop content to optimize knowledge transfer for propulsion, braking, HVAC, doors, safety, and onboard electronics.
• Structure content to support adult learning principles and operational competency.
• Continuously refine materials to reflect evolving rail operations and regulatory requirements.
• Program evaluation: analyze learning metrics and improve outcomes and workforce readiness.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

Instructional design

Curriculum development

Adult learning principles

Communication

Project management

Instructional evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Organizational Development, Education, Instructional Design, or Workforce Development

Tools

Articulate 360

LMS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

RTD, We make lives better through connections! When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position develops, designs, and implements training programs that build the technical skills and operational knowledge required for RTD’s light rail and commuter rail operations and maintenance workforce. This role creates full courses and curricula covering rail vehicles and systems—including EMUs, cab cars, coaches, light rail vehicles, and their mechanical, hydraulic, propulsion, braking, HVAC, door, safety, and onboard electronic components. This position researches technical content, collaborates with subject matter experts, and develops or refines training materials, scripts, and multimedia elements to ensure clarity, accuracy, and instructional quality. It also evaluates training effectiveness, recommends improvements, and supports instructors in delivering high‑quality instruction. This role contributes to training needs assessments, gap analyses, and continuous improvement efforts to keep programs current with operational changes, technology updates, and fleet modifications. This position works closely with rail operations, maintenance, safety, and regulatory partners to ensure training supports operational readiness, workforce development, and compliance. Success in this role requires strong instructional design expertise, analytical ability, communication skills, and project management capabilities, with a focus on translating complex technical requirements into effective learning solutions that support safe and reliable rail service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Instructional Design Design, develop, and implement engaging learning activities and comprehensive course content for light rail and commuter rail operations and maintenance training programs, including hands‑on, classroom, eLearning, blended, and simulation‑based delivery.
• Identify learning objectives, performance expectations, skills, and knowledge required for employees to safely and effectively operate and maintain rail vehicles according to operational standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct needs assessments and gap analyses to identify learning deficiencies within existing rail courses and recommend, create, or select appropriate learning experiences to close those gaps.
• Develop and manage full courses and curriculum for rail operations and maintenance programs, including instructional materials, supplemental guides, manuals, resources, activities, assignments, and assessments.
• Create and test multimedia content, including video, audio, simulations, gamification, and other interactive learning experiences.
• Write scripts and develop content to optimize knowledge transfer and learner engagement for rail systems, including propulsion, braking, HVAC, doors, safety‑critical systems, and onboard electronics.
• Structure instructional content and activities to support adult learning principles, performance outcomes, and operational competency.
• Continuously refine materials to address evolving rail operations, technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Program Evaluation Evaluate training programs and course materials for effectiveness; gather feedback, analyze learning metrics, and recommend improvements to optimize learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for internal stakeholders and leadership regarding course development, learning effectiveness, and program outcomes.
• Maintain documentation of course design, materials, assessments, and revisions to ensure accuracy, clarity, compliance with agency standards, and alignment with project timelines and objectives.
• Conduct research, stay current on industry best practices, and apply tested instructional design methods to continually improve rail training programs.
• Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborate with subject matter experts, operational leaders, and external stakeholders to ensure training content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with current light rail and commuter rail operations, safety standards, and agency policies.
• Provide guidance and support to instructors on course delivery, effective use of learning technologies, and application of instructional materials to ensure consistent, high‑quality rail training.

This position is designated as a Disaster Response Worker, which may require night and weekend work during natural disasters and other emergencies (e.g., activation of 24‑hour Emergency Operations Center staffing). Regular office hours and work schedules may vary and include weekdays, weekends, and hours outside of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position may be required to work in any of the following bus‑focused functions within operations and maintenance depending on business needs and/or career growth and development: Bus Operations, Bus Maintenance, Regional Operations Center, and Service Planning & Scheduling.

Performs all other job‑related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Organizational Development, Education, Instructional Design, or Workforce Development required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in training, curriculum development, or instructional design, preferably within rail or transit operations and maintenance (light rail and/or commuter rail).
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing training programs and learning materials, including classroom, e‑Learning, blended, and simulation‑based formats.
• Familiarity with rail operations and maintenance environments, including light rail and commuter rail vehicles, systems, and support functions.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• No DUI, DWI, or Reckless Driving violations in the past 5 years.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of rail operations and maintenance environments, including light rail, commuter rail, and support services.
• Knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, and adult learning principles, particularly for technical and safety‑sensitive rail operations.
• Knowledge of training standards, certification, license requirements, and learning management systems applicable to rail operations and maintenance.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing rail operations, maintenance, training, and certification (e.g., FTA, APTA, OSHA).
• Skill in designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating engaging technical training programs, including classroom, hands‑on, e‑Learning, blended, and simulation‑based solutions.
• Skill in assessing learning needs, identifying content gaps, and creating solutions that align with operational, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Skill in applying instructional design theories and best practices to create effective, scalable, and interactive learning experiences.
• Skill in analyzing training outcomes and operational performance data to measure effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Ability to collaborate with subject matter experts, operational leaders, and external partners to ensure learning programs are accurate, relevant, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to communicate technical and regulatory information clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple curriculum development projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to conduct needs assessments, identify learning gaps, and create instructional solutions aligned with operational, technical, and regulatory requirements for rail systems.
• Proficient in Learning Management Systems (LMS), instructional design software (e.g., Articulate 360), and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate credibility, and work professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• OR: An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. Worker is subject to varying inside and/or outside temperatures, which may include extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees) or extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees). Work is performed both inside and outside. Subject to weather. Ability to independently travel between multiple locations as required by operational needs.

CAREER MAP:

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Rail Training (O&M) or Manager, Bus Training (O&M).

Position close date: 10/22/2026 at 11:59PM.

Pay Range: $65,177.00 - $92,062.25 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail]. To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.

RTD provides public transportation services in an eight‑county region centered in Denver, Colorado. As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand‑responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year‑over‑year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night.

RTD is committed to full equal opportunity and affirmative action for all applicants and employees. Equal opportunity ensures all qualified applicants and employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against with regard to the individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy.

RTD participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.