Training Specialist, Internship & Educational Programs

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago is seeking an internship and education program coordinator to drive training initiatives for youth, students, and partners. You will lead workshops, orientations, and program development to deliver structured learning experiences across multiple locations.

The role emphasizes collaboration with academic institutions and community partners, along with program evaluation and logistics management to ensure successful internship outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• At least one year designing or facilitating training programs.
• Experience with internship, youth development, or education programs.

Responsibilities

• Leads and conducts training programs developed and administered by Workforce Partnerships for K-12 and college level internships.
• Leads and conducts training programs related to Second Chance Program and other career-related initiatives.
• Facilitates new hire orientations for various programs and acclimates new employees to policies and safety standards.
• Designs and develops training programs and provides program evaluation.

Skills

Training delivery

Program management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Valid Driver’s License

Tools

Learning Management System

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

SALARY

$81,957.74

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, executes internship program initiatives focused on enhancing the job readiness and educational experience of potential employees through comprehensive internship programs. Facilitates the development of additional initiatives of similar purpose according to departmental goals and objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and conducts training programs developed and administered by the Workforce Partnerships as it relates to K-12 and college level internship programs.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contributes to the strategy and implementation of technology support, program evaluation, and material development for internship programs.
• Designs and develops training programs.
• Researches and develops training programs to meet department and organizational needs following industry best practices, and department processes.
• Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with interns, or consultations with supervisors or internal and external partners.
• 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 training programs for managers and interns.
• Develops program activities to meet the needs of the Internships and Educational Programs 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.
• Creates and executes internship and educational program policies and procedures that work to expose youth to the transit industry. Recruits for programs by developing and maintaining relationships with academic institutions, community organizations and social service agencies.
• Maintains and updates year-round calendar and timeline of program's lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, orientation, training and professional development activities, networking, capstone events and offboarding activities.
• Conducts site visits during all shifts to provide guidance, ongoing case management, and support to interns, supervisors, partnering departments, and organizations.
• Works with supervisors to coach and develop participants for educational or career paths in the transit industry.
• Performs administrative duties related to internship and educational programs.
• Works closely with client departments in determining their needs from the programs.
• Meets with academic institutions, community organizations, social service agencies, key stakeholders, and end users to define operations requirements and procedures.
• Facilitates marketing, orientation, and training presentations to a variety of audiences; presents information using a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos and/or lectures.
• Prepares reports regarding programs to be distributed internally, externally and throughout the Authority.
• Develops, maintains, and continually enhances the use of software for placement, scheduling, attendance monitoring, and logistics management.
• Ensures that all documentation and orientation materials are filed and updated regularly.
• Maintains current and historical program files and data for analysis and internal and external communication and reporting. Designs and distributes engagement materials for high school and college interns.
• Stays current on industry trends and develops professionally by attending meetings, seminars, conferences, and/or webinars, reading research articles, books, white papers, and websites to regularly obtain updated information and other relevant resources applicable to internship and educational programs and tools.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

• None

CHALLENGES

• Ensuring adequate support and supervision is maintained for all program participants throughout various Authority locations.
• Ensuring that criteria for programs meet Authority and partner expectations.
• Maintaining communication internally and externally with various academic institutions, community organizations and social service agencies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree or professional designation in a related field, or a combination of education and experience related to this position.
• One (1) year of experience working in or with an academic institution, community organization and/or social service agency with internship, youth or similar educational programs
• One (1) year of experience designing, developing, implementing and facilitating training programs or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License is required.
• Familiarity with in-person, virtual, and hybrid instructional design, training methods, tools and techniques.
• Relevant experience in youth development, coaching, or programming to support students in educational and career development.
• Must meet all federal, state, and local requirements to work with program populations.

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

• General knowledge of the operations of academic institutions, community organizations and social service agencies
• Advanced working knowledge of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education methodologies.
• General knowledge of basic employability skills and competencies.
• General knowledge of learning management systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point skills.
• Strong project management skills and ability to execute from start to finish.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong presentation and training facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational skills, analytical ability and problem-solving skills.
• Strong customer-service skills and a positive attitude.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines with timeliness and accuracy.
• Ability to present and facilitate training to a diverse range of audiences.
• Ability to establish and retain effective working relationships with diverse groups.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, large system environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Will be required to travel to field locations thus exposed to working conditions of the partner academic institutions, community organizations and social service agencies, bus garages, rail terminals and shops.
• At times, may need to work during off hours (conducting training, coaching, and support in all three shifts to field locations).

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and related software.
• Possible access to CTA vehicle.