Training Manager

About the role

The Training Manager will report to the General Manager and is responsible for the development, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of all regulatory and custom training and quality programs supporting light rail operations service delivery. This dual role leads the design and delivery of employee training programs and Corporate and Client Quality programs to ensure the highest level of safety and quality, compliance with contractual requirements, policies, standard operating procedures, federal, state, local, and agency requirements while promoting operational excellence, safety, customer service, and workforce readiness.

The role is located in Phoenix, AZ and is contingent upon successfully winning a bid and authority approval.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve regulatory and operational training programs for light rail and streetcar operations personnel.
• Design and maintain training curricula, lesson plans, instructional materials, qualification standards, examinations, and competency assessments.
• Ensure all training programs comply with applicable Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), OSHA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate the development and utilization of multimedia, technology-based, and computer-assisted learning methods to enhance training effectiveness.
• Evaluate training outcomes, training test scores, post-training observations, and recommend improvements based on operational needs, regulatory changes, employee performance, and industry best practices.
• Ensure that all activities performed by Alstom under the Scope of Work are compliant with Alstom’s Quality Program and client-approved requirements.
• Ownership of the Quality Program and Plan (QPP) and ensure the Quality Management System (QMS) is implemented and Alstom is in compliance.
• Develop and execute an internal quality audit plan.
• Validate that quality is incorporated into all quality initiatives ("built-in quality").
• Oversee Project Maturity Gate Reviews (DFQ) and ensure the existence of a synchronized schedule of deliverables and departmental applicable action plans.
• Implement, conduct, and oversee structured process confirmation protocols that validate and measure compliance with the Scope of Work.
• Ensure compliance with various processes, standards, and procedures through inspections and audits.
• Manage any non-conformities and perform root cause analysis, action plans, and follow-up (from Alstom or Valley Metro findings).
• Develop and organize problem-solving and corrective action plans during the project execution phase (internal & suppliers).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and support Valley Metro as requested during quality auditing.
• Conduct routine and special audits of rail operations, documentation, and processes.
• Monitor adherence to Federal Transit Administration (FTA), state regulatory requirements, agency standards, and applicable industry practices.
• Identify quality deficiencies, process failures, and nonconformities through inspections and audits.
• Support implementation of Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Assist departments in developing standardized procedures and process improvements.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate all training courses, instructors, facilities, equipment, and resources necessary to support operational training requirements and meet contractual and corporate requirements.
• Supervise and support training personnel in the delivery of classroom, field, hands-on, and refresher training programs.
• Ensure employees receive required initial, recurrent, remedial, and qualification training within established timeframes.
• Coordinate operational drills, simulations, emergency preparedness exercises, and practical evaluations.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and auditable documentation of all employee training, testing, qualifications, certifications, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Ensure training records are maintained in accordance with Valley Metro policies and procedures and all applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor employee qualification and certification expiration dates and ensure timely recertification and retraining.
• Prepare reports, training metrics, and compliance documentation for management and regulatory agencies.
• Manage training staff and provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Collaborate with all department heads in educating and driving project quality and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with Operations, Safety, Human Resources, and regulatory agencies to identify training needs and ensure workforce readiness.
• Participate in various audits, investigations, corrective action planning, and continuous improvement initiatives related to operational performance, compliance, training, and workforce competency.
• Support organizational emergency management and incident response activities.

Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) years of direct, relevant experience in a passenger railroad, rail transit, or public transit operating environment.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience conducting regulatory training within the rail industry.
• Experience managing staff, coordinating complex operations, and administering training programs.
• Proven experience leading, overseeing, and driving a formal quality assurance program, including delivery of the program, monitoring compliance through formal processes and tools, and collaboration with site departments to ensure compliance.
• Strong knowledge of passenger service delivery principles and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement quality and training programs, curriculum, lesson plans, testing methodologies, and qualification standards.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, training evaluation methods, and competency-based learning models.
• Possesses and maintains National Incident Management System (NIMS) training and certification.
• Additional instructor, transit operations, safety, emergency management, or training certifications are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Transportation, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Safety Management, or a related field.
• Experience developing and administering rail transit certification and qualification programs.
• Knowledge of and experience managing an ISO registered quality program.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and competency-based training programs.
• Professional instructional or training certifications and rail industry trainer qualifications.

Skills

• Strong leadership and staff management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, assessments, reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Proficiency in training technologies, learning management systems, and multimedia instructional tools.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management abilities.
• Ability to coordinate multiple training programs and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze training effectiveness and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in classroom, office, maintenance facility, rail yard, and field environments.
• Position may require occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response work.
• Frequent interaction with operations personnel, regulatory agencies, and contractors.
• Travel throughout the transit system may be required to conduct training, observations, audits, and evaluations.

This position is not eligible for Railroad Retirement.