Director Utility Training

About the role

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU]. This is a full-time, on-site position in any FirstEnergy location in OH, NJ, PA, WV/MD including: Akron, OH; Holmdel, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Reading, PA, Charleston, WV, Williamsport, MD.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Utility Training function, accountable for safety, compliance, quality, and effectiveness of training delivered to Transmission & Distribution (T&D) operations and supporting groups.
• Own and evolve FE’s progression-school strategy (e.g., distribution line worker, transmission line worker, substation, relay/protection, underground, transmission) including curriculum roadmaps, sequencing, prerequisites, and readiness criteria aligned to job task analysis and field performance expectations.
• Establish and enforce a Systematic Approach to Training (SAT)/ADDIE governance model for analyzing work, designing instruction, developing materials, implementing delivery, and evaluating results for T&D training programs.
• Design and deploy standardized evaluation instruments (knowledge/skill assessments, job performance measures, performance checklists, field validations, observation guides) and an outcome measurement strategy (Reaction/Learning/Behavior/Results) to demonstrate training impact and target continuous improvement.
• Maintain “leading with safety” culture across all training environments (yards, labs, substations, classrooms, mobile/field training), ensuring training activities, equipment, and simulations meet applicable safety requirements and are risk-assessed prior to delivery.
• Build instructor capability through train-the-trainer standards, coaching, classroom/field observation, and technical qualification expectations; ensure consistent delivery across locations and modalities (in-person, blended, e-learning, and simulation).
• Own training records governance for utility training programs (LMS and supporting systems), ensuring accurate completion data, qualifications, and evidence packages that support internal controls and readiness for internal/external audits and regulatory reviews.
• Develop the annual training forecast and multi-year capability plan aligned to Operations workforce plans, capital programs, major work methods changes, and emerging technologies; manage the operating and capital budgets for training assets and facilities.
• Partner with T&D Operations leaders to translate business needs into training solutions, coordinate training impacts for major initiatives, and drive timely change management communications across a matrixed environment.
• Continuously benchmark against utility industry best practices for T&D training (progression schools, field assessment, simulation, and safety training) and apply improvements based on data and stakeholder feedback.
• Support the FirstEnergy storm restoration process with a dedicated storm role, ensuring training readiness for incident response, mutual assistance, and emergency work practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Education, Organizational Learning, Safety, Engineering, Business, or related field) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in energy or utility training leadership and/or workforce development (e.g., electric utility, nuclear, power generation), including direct responsibility for craft progression schools and field-based qualification programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading progression schools and field-based qualification programs for craft roles in energy or Transmission & Distribution (e.g., line, substation, relay/protection, switching, underground, power generation) including curricula, assessments, and instructor standards.
• Extensive experience designing and managing compliance and safety training for electric power work, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 requirements, qualification concepts, and audit-ready training documentation.
• Working knowledge of instructional systems design and evaluation, including ADDIE/SAT practices and the use of evaluation instruments to measure training effectiveness and determine qualification for safety-critical tasks.
• Proven experience establishing, improving, or scaling apprenticeship programs (including related instruction and on-the-job training alignment), preferably in a union environment.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing diverse talent, setting performance expectations, and delivering results through a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Strong program management skills (process design, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous improvement) with the ability to influence across a matrix organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical work practices into effective learning experiences and clear expectations for multiple audiences.
• Ability to travel as needed and work extended hours to support employees working at multiple locations across FE’s service territory, including support of storm restoration roles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Adult Education, Instructional Design, Organizational Development, Safety, Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional safety and training credentials (e.g., CSP/ASP, CHST, ATD) and/or demonstrated expertise delivering OSHA-aligned programs.
• Hands-on craft or frontline supervision experience in T&D (line, substation, relay/protection, or underground) is a plus.
• Experience with learning technologies (LMS administration, digital content tools, blended learning, simulation) and using analytics to improve completion, proficiency, and field performance outcomes.
• Experience with Department of Labor registered apprenticeship standards and utility industry training best practices.