Training and Development Specialist III, CSTC

SUMMARY:
The California Schools Talent Collaborative is a dynamic and rapidly expanding organization dedicated to the advancement of quality education. With an unwavering mission to provide every student access to exceptional educational professionals, our focus lies in supporting California schools to attract and retain top tier talent. Rooted in the principle of ensuring equity in education, we bring cutting-edge staffing methodologies from high-volume Fortune 500 industries into the realm of K-12 education, which stands as America’s largest employer. California Schools Talent Collaborative is supported by Think Together, a California nonprofit and the state’s largest provider of expanded learning programs.

The Training and Development Specialist III reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for developing and delivering high-quality, impactful in-person training sessions to program staff. This position builds upon the foundational knowledge of the Specialist I and II roles, with the added responsibility of supervising, coaching, and managing a team of trainers. This role also involves leading special projects, driving strategic initiatives, and collaborating closely with the CAO and other key stakeholders to address emerging organizational needs. The Specialist III will apply comprehensive knowledge of the organization’s student outcomes and objectives, alongside a strong understanding of adult learning strategies, to deliver effective training. This role requires a commitment to California Schools Talent Collaborative’s values and a focus on fostering a dynamic and continuous learning environment. The Specialist III will exemplify a growth mindset by identifying opportunities for improvement, promoting a culture of collaboration, and integrating innovative ideas and practices for adult learners. This position also involves travel across multiple geographic areas to deliver training and development to program staff. Collaboration with the Program Content Specialist is essential to ensure that trainings are aligned with student outcomes and organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership
• Supervise, coach, and manage a team of trainers, providing guidance and support to ensure effective training delivery.
• Collaborate with the Program Content Specialist to assess and develop training content that meets staff needs and enhances the student experience.
• Manages partnerships with school districts to support training and development initiatives.
• Gather feedback through site visits from Contract Staff Managers and leaders to identify gaps and drive continuous improvement.
• Create training impact assessment criteria and develop role-specific and grade-specific coaching criteria.
• Identify and prescribe best practices for successful facilitation in the field.
• Develop scaled and scaffolded guides for program implementation.
• Foster an environment of psychological safety by collaborating effectively with diverse staff and partners.
• Lead the design and execution of special projects that enhance training programs, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term goals.
• Develops and provides training and professional development for Contract Staff Managers, new hires, and other supervisory roles through targeted learning initiatives.
Training and Facilitation
• Conduct in-person training sessions for program staff, ensuring engagement and alignment with adult learning principles.
• Assess, create, and optimize training content for specific programs and student grade levels.
• Lead program training initiatives and identify training pathways for staff based on grade level and program elements.
• Develop role-specific coaching criteria, determining appropriate timing and dosage of coaching interventions.
• Recommend best practices for effective program implementation and facilitation in the field.
• Manage special projects to pilot new training methods or initiatives, evaluating their effectiveness and scalability across regions.
Training Content Development
• Oversee the creation of program training content, including project plans, pacing guides, and implementation tools.
• Apply a continuous improvement lens to training processes, refining programs based on feedback and observations.
• Create and deliver tailored training content that meets the specific needs of programs and grade levels.
• Implement criteria for assessing the impact and effectiveness of training programs, ensuring actionable evaluations.
• Develop clear, step-by-step guides to support successful program implementation.
• Lead special projects focused on developing new content formats or training delivery models to address emerging program needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION:
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field; or a minimum of 7 years of experience in training and facilitation in a relevant grade level area (elementary and early learning or older youth).
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in education or expanded learning preferred.
• Supervisory experience in a training or educational context.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Experience in delivering training to diverse groups, both large and small.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-versed in learning design, project-based learning, and familiar with curricular providers, and educational technology and software opportunities.
• Maintain highest degree of confidentiality.
• Comply with organization policies and follow procedures.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

COMPUTER SKILLS:
• Intermediate level experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Adobe
• Intermediate Learning Management System experience (Canvas, Blackboard, Collaboration, etc.).
• Ability to adapt and learn new content and technology (webinars, asynchronous learning, software). File Management (One Drive, Box, Dropbox, etc.)
• Email, Internet, website, and social media platforms.
• Use of typical office equipment

COMPENSATION:

• Salary Range $80K-$90K

This is the targeted compensation for the position. A range of factors, including but not limited to; location, skills, experience, will be considered. Actual compensation may vary.

Think Together is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.