AT - CDL Lead Driver Trainer

Ancora Education•Middletown, NY

6d•$60,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The CDL Program Director/Lead Driver Trainer provides leadership and subject matter expertise for the CDL program, reporting to the Area Manager/Regional Program Director. The role contributes to curriculum development, revision, and implementation; delivers face-to-face product knowledge training to account management staff; engages with prospective students when requested; and participates in new student orientation. The position hires, assigns, orients, develops, evaluates, and recognizes Driver Trainers; convenes regular faculty meetings; and supports and monitors students. Student support includes advising, addressing complaints and career questions, identifying students at risk, investigating barriers to success, and connecting students with appropriate services. The role also supports continuous program improvement by maintaining the campus effectiveness plan and collecting and analyzing program-performance data. The Lead Driver Trainer supplements advising for students with failing assessments, provides academic advising and tutoring arrangements, leads retention efforts, maintains regular student contact and interaction records, follows up with students who miss class, and refers students to appropriate staff or outside resources when needed. The role oversees curriculum and instructional materials, contributes to scheduling, supervises and develops Driver Trainers, participates in faculty meetings and professional development, tracks relevant regulations and accreditation standards, and assists with reports and quality-assurance activities. The position also performs all duties of a full-time Driver Trainer. The work includes demonstrating CDL skills such as coupling and uncoupling trailers, conducting inspections, and maneuvering large vehicles. Physical demands include climbing in and out of a cab, bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, reaching, cranking trailer landing gear, handling training and safety equipment, and sustaining activity and alertness during driving and instruction. A valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and required DOT physical qualifications must be maintained. The posting describes the usual work environment as having moderate noise and usually no exposure to weather, while also noting that training may involve outdoor work in varying or extreme weather conditions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
CDL Class A license and at least 3 years of driving experience.
At least 2 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
Knowledge of faculty development, including requirements, delivery methods, and reporting.
Motivation, dedication, professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm for teaching.
Sensitivity to the needs and requirements of adult learners and ability to embrace the organization’s mission.
Ability to inspire students to achieve at a high level and prepare to meet employer expectations.
Knowledge of industry standards and requirements in the instructional field, and ability to facilitate learning on course content.
Ability to develop collaborative working relationships and accomplish work objectives through listening, sharing ideas, and appreciating others’ efforts.
Interpersonal skills for positive interactions with students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
Creative and effective problem-solving skills when working with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
Excellent presentation skills and ability to present ideas effectively to individuals or groups in formal settings.
Management skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and evaluating programs and policies in a changing environment.
Knowledge of federal FMCSA and state Department of Motor Vehicle Agency requirements.
Ability to meet the physical demands described in the posting, including climbing in and out of a cab, bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, reaching, handling training and safety equipment, and demonstrating CDL skills.
Must possess and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate and meet DOT physical qualifications required to hold a CDL, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or higher, documented specialized competency in the instructional field, or equivalent work experience in that field.
10 years of experience in the instructional field.
Working knowledge of federal and state government education regulations.
3 years of experience in a management or supervisory role.
Previous experience as an academic program director.
Experience in student guidance or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and subject matter expertise for the CDL program.
Contribute to curriculum development and revision and implement new or revised curriculum.
Provide face-to-face product knowledge training to account management staff using centrally developed materials.
Engage with prospective students when requested and participate in new student orientation.
Hire, assign, orient, develop, evaluate, and recognize Driver Trainers.
Monitor and support students, including academic advising, complaint response, career guidance, and referrals to appropriate resources.
Lead retention initiatives and identify students at risk by analyzing student data and contacting students about barriers to success.
Maintain regular contact with students, respond to their questions and concerns, post office hours, and maintain records of student interactions.
Follow up with students who miss class and make weekly calls to students who were not reached, did not return as promised, or did not identify a return date.
Identify students needing tutoring and provide or arrange tutoring when needed.
Oversee the quality of curriculum, instructional materials, equipment, and facilities for the program area.
Provide input into course sequencing, offerings, room assignments, and Driver Trainer teaching assignments for the master schedule.
Orient, monitor, supervise, mentor, and assist new Driver Trainers when assigned; support staff and supervise their instructional and program needs.
Attend weekly day and evening faculty meetings, faculty meetings, and in-service programs; maintain a record of professional development activities.
Keep current on federal and state institutional regulations and accreditation standards relevant to the program.
Participate in preparing government and agency reports and ensure timely and accurate submission.
Assist the Director of Quality Assurance/Regional Program Director in evaluating student questionnaire data, discussing results with faculty, and recommending improvements.
Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate interdepartmental activities and share information about trends and changes in program specialty areas.
Perform all duties of a full-time Driver Trainer, including physically demonstrating vehicle inspections, coupling and uncoupling trailers, and vehicle maneuvering.