Transportation Specialist II (Training and Development Specialist)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Well-being program

Employee assistance program

Dental, Vision and HSA

Paid leave

Job summary

South Dakota State Government is seeking a Training and Development Specialist to manage and evolve the Department's comprehensive training and development program. This role oversees agency-wide training strategy, coordinates STGs, and aligns workforce development with the department's mission of Better Lives Through Better Transportation.

The position serves as the primary point of contact for training initiatives, internal and external communication, and strategic planning related to employee

Qualifications

• Experience in training program management, instructional design, curriculum development, or workforce development.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively with leadership and Subject Matter Experts.
• Experience with learning technologies, reporting tools, and LMS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Manage a department wide training program that identifies and supports current and future workforce competencies.
• Partner with division directors, program managers, and STGs to determine priorities, develop annual and multi year training plans, and assess emerging needs.
• Oversee development of new training pathways, and competency based programs.
• Oversee the maintenance of the Department's Learning Management System, ensuring system reliability, data integrity, and reporting.
• Monitor system functionality and user experience to support efficient, accessible learning across the Department.
• Guide subject matter experts in designing high quality training content, selecting effective delivery methods, and ensuring consistency across divisions.
• Oversee department created training materials, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with job expectations.
• Support integration of innovative learning formats, including webinars, digital learning tools, and recorded modules.
• Oversee scheduling, instructor support, materials development, communications, and execution of statewide training sessions.
• Collaborate with internal and external training partners.
• Supervise a team of 3-training staff, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Establish workload priorities, assign projects, and maintain high quality service standards.
• Stay current on federal and state training mandates, certification requirements, and DOT job specific competencies.
• Ensure required training is properly tracked and documented.
• Oversee training related contracts, budget forecasting, vendor coordination, and procurement activities.
• Monitor expenditures and budgets related to supplies, software, equipment, and professional services.

Skills

Self motivation

Growth mindset

Vision & creativity

Team player

Attention to detail

Ethical standards

Tools

LMS

Job description

Job ID: 37821

Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of the Secretary

Location: Pierre, SD

Salary: $33.85 - $39.32 per hour, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: K

Closing Date: 10/14/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/ .

Introduction

Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

Job Description

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is seeking an energetic, self-motivated, and forward thinking leader to manage and continually evolve the Department's comprehensive training and development program. This position oversees agency wide training strategy, coordinates Standing Training Groups (STGs), and ensures workforce development programs align with SDDOT's mission of 'Better Lives Through Better Transportation.'

The Training and Development Specialist serves as the Department's primary point of contact for all training initiatives, internal and external communication, and strategic planning related to employee development.

Occasional in-state travel and out-of-state travel required. The incumbent will lift, transport and set up training materials and equipment and spend time on-site at construction or maintenance projects to observe, evaluate, assess or participate in training.

What You Bring to the SDDOT

• Self motivation
• Growth mindset
• Vision and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude
• Confident, action-oriented personality
• Attention to detail and a passion for organization
• Commitment to fostering high ethical standards

What the SDDOT Offers

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Training Leadership

• Manage a department wide training program that identifies and supports current and future workforce competencies.
• Partner with division directors, program managers, and STGs to determine priorities, develop annual and multi year training plans, and assess emerging needs.
• Oversee development of new training pathways, and competency based programs.

Program & Curriculum Development

• Oversee the maintenance of the Department's Learning Management System, ensuring system reliability, accurate permissions, data integrity, and reporting.
• Monitor system functionality and user experience to support efficient, accessible learning across the Department.
• Guide subject matter experts in designing high quality training content, selecting effective delivery methods, and ensuring consistency across divisions.
• Oversee department created training materials, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with job expectations.
• Support integration of innovative learning formats, including webinars, digital learning tools, and recorded modules.

Learning Management System (LMS)

• Oversee the maintenance of the Department's Learning Management System, ensuring system reliability, accurate permissions, data integrity, and reporting.
• Monitor system functionality and user experience to support efficient, accessible learning across the Department.

Training Operations & Coordination

• Oversee scheduling, instructor support, materials development, communications, and execution of statewide training sessions.
• Collaborate with internal and external training partners.

Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise a team of 3-training staff, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Establish workload priorities, assign projects, and maintain high quality service standards.

Compliance & Workforce Readiness

• Stay current on federal and state training mandates, certification requirements, and DOT job specific competencies.
• Ensure required training is properly tracked and documented.

Administrative & Contract Management

• Oversee training related contracts, budget forecasting, vendor coordination, and procurement activities.
• Monitor expenditures and budgets related to supplies, software, equipment, and professional services.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• instructional design models that are most appropriate and effective for educating adults with various learning styles;
• different instruction design needs for a variety of delivery methods;
• presentation technologies and methods;
• components of training and education program planning;
• research methods to determine training needs;
• dynamics of organizational change and concepts of a learning organization;
• management principles to develop leadership training plans and opportunities;
• construction, maintenance and safety regulations, guidelines and practices;
• computers and computer systems including knowledge of learning management systems.

Skills:

• strong organizational skills;
• strong written and oral communication skills;
• critical thinking;
• problem solving.

Abiity to:

• evaluate the effectiveness of a course or training program;
• engage in strategical skills to plan long term to setting and establishing priorities for making effective decisions;
• interpret regulations and apply them to business needs;
• provide constructive feedback, assistance with design, and consultation regarding delivery;
• self-motivate and generate enthusiasm among staff and stakeholders;
• manage a small staff and a develop successful teams;
• speak in public to both large and small groups and effectively facilitate work groups;
• work with a wide variety of individuals and groups and determine instructional needs;
• manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• maintain knowledge and skill with current and future training and presentation technology.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in training program management, instructional design, curriculum development, or workforce development.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively with leadership and Subject Matter Experts.
• Experience with learning technologies, reporting tools, and LMS platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience developing competency or certification pathways.
• Familiarity with transportation sector training, regulatory requirements, and technical content.
• Ability to develop partnerships across agencies and external professional networks.

Compensation

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Training and Development Specialist is approximately $93,739.00 annually.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'