Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Trainer/Education Specialist

  • Title: Trainer/Education Specialist
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 4

Nature and Scope of Work

The Trainer/Education Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating customized training programs that will lead to skill enhancement and job placement for a diverse student population, including those with limited English skills. Developing appropriate curriculum and materials, supervising and mentoring part-time instructors and instructing students comprise other key elements of the position.

Incumbents in this position develop and foster professional relationships with external and internal business partners to provide on-going coordination for work experience and/or internship programs for students.

Principal Accountabilities

  1. Designs short-term workforce training programs for a diverse student population. Duties include the development of customized curriculum, assessment instruments, and competencies for completion and student evaluation methods.
  2. Facilitates the development of non-credit training programs including curriculum development, assessment methods, skills standards, competencies and student evaluation methods. Assists in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of instructional programs. Evaluates results and initiates changes as needed.
  3. Recruits, interviews and assists with hiring part-time instructors who teach non-credit courses. Evaluates and mentors part-time instructors to ensure the needs of special populations are met, as well as specific accommodations for students.
  4. Researches labor market information, employer needs, program capacity and student needs in order to develop new and innovative programs and curriculum.
  5. Provides instruction to a diverse population of students enrolled in the training programs.
  6. Develops and coordinates a work experience/internship program for students enrolled in specific training programs.
  7. Participates in outreach and recruitment activities for training programs.
  8. Recruits, interviews and assesses potential participants for customized training workshops.
  9. Works with students and staff, provides direct assistance in accessing training program materials and equipment and provides follow-up support.
  10. Liaises with other workforce development program staff in developing a plan of action. Serves as an advocate in monitoring and assessing the progress of students to ensure their training, employment and education requirements are being met. May assist in the development of individual training, employment, and education plans for participants.
  11. Evaluates and guides student performance, maintains records and documents student progress.
  12. Provides student services such as an explanation of policies, procedures and processes, orientation to facilities and equipment, distribution of appropriate instructional materials, and set-up assistance working in partnership with other program staff.
  13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Occasional evening and weekend hours are required. Work is typically performed in an office/classroom environment both on-site and off-site. Incumbents regularly travel between campuses and remote sites, requiring the ability to drive and use of personal vehicle.

Physical Requirements

Moderate physical exertion. Frequent standing or walking. Occasional lifting of equipment used in training that may weigh up to 30 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Social Science, Communications, or related field. Experience performing the duties of this job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Two (2) years of professional experience in an educational or training environment is required.

Demonstrated experience working with college students, individuals from low-income communities, developmentally or physically disabled adults, or at-risk populations. Fluency in a second language may be required depending on position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Business and industry and current labor market trends;
  • College procedures and requirements;
  • Effective training techniques and learning theory;
  • Local, state and federal rules and regulations impacting assigned program.
Skills in:
  • Development and delivery of industry related training such as basic skills, English as a second language, workplace communication, targeted industry training, student assessment and evaluation, curriculum development and job skills training;
  • Project management including communication, organization, facilitation and independent decision-making;
  • Designing and writing classroom instructional materials;
  • Delivering public presentations and effective group facilitation.
Ability to:
  • Work with an ethnically and culturally diverse staff and student population;
  • Prioritize and manage multiple projects and work in an environment with regular interruptions;
  • Communicate technical information in a clear and understandable manner;
  • Operate a variety of office equipment;
  • Communicate effectively in oral and written form.

Revised: 6/2021

  • Reviewed: 12/2018
  • Established: 3/2002