Technical Training Program Manager, Substation Operations

Puget Sound Energy • Bothell, WA

2d

About The Position

The Technical Training Program Manager helps strengthen and shape technical training for Substation Operations, working closely with Wiremen, Relay Technicians, and field leadership across the service territory. The right person will enjoy building structure where it is needed, spending time in the field to understand the work, and helping the business prepare for new devices, changing work requirements, and operational priorities.

Responsible for managing and applying subject matter knowledge to assist with and contribute to the design, development, measurement of impact, and maintenance of scalable learning solutions for ongoing training programs and targeted business initiatives supporting Substation Operations, including Wiremen and Relay Technicians. Assigned training programs require highly technical, field/systems, and/or compliance-related knowledge or a high level of experience developing such content. This role helps strengthen and bring greater structure to a maturing technical training program by building strong relationships with field leadership and employees, spending regular time at operations bases, and developing a deep understanding of work-as-done across regions. Produces learning solutions end to end and is hands-on during deployment, stakeholder engagement, and the feedback loop. Partners with internal training stakeholders (e.g. instructional designers and training analysts) and business stakeholders (e.g. operations managers and supervisors) to identify upcoming changes in devices, tools, processes, and standards, assess operational impact, and ensure employee development needs and performance standards are identified, defined, documented, and supported. Leverages unique subject matter expertise to transform technical content provided by business units into comprehensive training modules and practical performance support solutions that improve operational readiness, critical thinking, and system knowledge.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of training and development, Operations, IT, or Engineering experience; or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. Experience developing/translating highly technical field/systems content and/or compliance content into effective learning solutions preferred.
• Recognized as an expert in the specialty or craft by the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop and cultivate strong working relationships.
• Proficient with suite of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications.
• Demonstrated organization, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Strong analytical, presentation, communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage projects, work with other departmental teams and deliver on commitments.
• Ability to contribute effectively in peer management teams.
• Skills and experience in collaboration and team building.
• Attention to detail and the ability to effectively multi-task in a deadline-oriented work environment.
• Ability to challenge others, often in higher positions, respectfully.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, drive work forward with little supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work independently from an office base while maintaining strong in-person engagement with field clients across the service territory.
• Working knowledge of the structure and operations of PSE or another highly regulated, technical, and field-based industry.
• Working knowledge of Learning Management Systems (LMS) to manage training data and reporting functionality.
• Working knowledge of business applications and software tools (e.g., SAP, Webex, Work Manager).
• Strong working knowledge of adult learning principles, training needs analysis, instructional design methods, professional facilitation, evaluation methods, and performance support approaches.
• Experience designing and developing technical training materials with limited upstream definition or incomplete technical documentation.
• Experience supporting field-based technical training programs and building trusted relationships with frontline leaders and represented workforces.
• Experience working across regions, traveling to operational sites, and learning work-as-done through direct field engagement.
• Proven ability to monitor and evaluate a training program's effectiveness and impact, and report findings to stakeholders.
• Experience in a represented environment.

Responsibilities

• Utilize expertise to manage highly technical training programs and projects bound by complex compliance, IT, and/or safety requirements using models such as ADDIE or SAM and industry best practices to design curricula and define program or project life cycle.
• Engage with stakeholders, evaluate business problems, and conduct needs and root-cause analysis exercises to identify the right intervention, including training, performance support, communication, or process reinforcement.
• Prioritize program roadmaps to manage multiple programs concurrently, anticipate upcoming operational, device, and standards changes, and deconflict priorities with adjacent training programs.
• Partner closely with Training Program Managers supporting Distribution and Transmission where work overlaps, including wildfire, PSPS, emergency response, and energy restoration-related training needs.
• Create and manage the communication strategy for promoting and reporting program/project strategy, priorities, risks, and status of the programs/project.
• Manage and maintain vendor partners, delivery media, and eLearning applications for scale and ease, including coordination of vendor and contractor-supported technical training when needed.
• Manage training content/updates on SharePoint, LMS, and shared drives, and ensure training records and documentation are accurate, current, and defensible.
• Equip and mentor contract or corporate subject matter experts to deliver training. Capable of delivering instructor-led training, if necessary. May also personally design and develop learning materials when dedicated instructional design support is limited or unavailable.
• Develop training and performance support solutions grounded in data, objective reasoning, and operational need.
• Be a performance improvement consultant. Use your consultative skills to determine whether the business need calls for training, performance support, communication, or another solution and build programs or tools that improve business performance.
• Understand PSE's business and the market in which it operates.
• Understand the mission and goals of PSE, Operational Training, and your clients.
• Speak with your client at all levels frequently and build strong working relationships with Substation Operations leadership, supervisors, Wiremen, and Relay Technicians through regular in-person engagement.
• Align the goals of Operational Training with those of your clients.
• Understand the impact Operational Training has on the goals of PSE and your clients, and report the performance of your program to key stakeholders.
• Be fiscally responsible and budget-conscious.
• Use technology effectively.
• Be a student of your profession.  Make it a point to learn about who you are, what you do, and how you contribute to Operational Training's success and the company's.
• Regular travel throughout the service territory is expected to support client needs, build relationships at operations bases, and conduct field observations or ride-alongs when needed to better understand the work, tools, systems, and regional differences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP).
• For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan.
• Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees