Trainer - Lead

YAI•Brentwood, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will support the Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens region. The Lead Trainer ensures that training needs for assigned regions, programs, or systems are met through collaboration with YAI Knowledge colleagues and regional program leadership. The role involves facilitating one-on-one and group trainings both in person, on-site, and virtually, utilizing multi-media and virtual platforms while applying knowledge of various learning styles. The Lead Trainer works closely with regional program leadership, attends meetings, and provides updates, offerings, and solutions related to training needs. They are responsible for participating in the development and facilitation of trainings, evaluating their effectiveness, and proactively identifying new training needs. The role also includes researching new training techniques, making recommendations for content updates, and facilitating 'Train-the-Trainer' sessions for certifications and recertifications. Coordination of training schedules, staffing, and resources, along with ensuring proper documentation, are also key aspects. Regular travel across assigned regions and potentially other external locations is required. YAI, founded in 1957, is dedicated to providing innovative services for the I/DD (intellectual and/or developmental disabilities) community, focusing on personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals, and independence. Today, YAI has over 4,000 employees and supports over 20,000 people in the I/DD community across Downstate New York and Northern New Jersey, offering more than 300 programs. The organization is driven by its mission of living, loving, working, and learning, empowering individuals to achieve their goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education or related field and two (2) years of I/DD or related social services experience or one (1) year of experience in a training role including facilitation of training of individuals and/or groups; or Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training.
Must hold or obtain all applicable trainer-level certifications as required by assignment within three (3) months of appointment.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly across assigned region(s) to conduct trainings, including in evenings and/or on weekends as scheduled.
Working knowledge of Federal, State, Local and/or oversight agency rules, regulations and directives applicable to assigned region(s) including California Title 22 and 17 Regulations, NYS OPWDD and/or NJ DDD rules and regulations.
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, including ability to read verbal and non-verbal cues from attendees, use real life examples to expand and clarify a concept and make abstract concepts concrete.
Ability to build effective working relationships with leadership and other stakeholders and work collaboratively with YAI Knowledge colleagues, program management and other support departments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong commitment to and passion for the organization’s mission.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the history of the I/DD field, terminology and distinct types, diagnoses, and specific needs of people with I/DD.
Detail oriented and highly organized with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, appropriately prioritizing dynamic priorities to meet deadlines and other requirements using strong planning, time management and follow-up skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook and PowerPoint and online meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including: using hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; ability to complete room set up, including moving, shifting and/or lifting tables, chairs and other equipment weighing up to 20 pounds and to appropriately demonstrate training activities with physical demands, including approved non-restrictive and restrictive interventions, such as physical restraint techniques, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people with I/DD in a direct support role
Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Experience creating and developing training content in the I/DD field and/or conducting Train-the-Trainer sessions
Project management experience in the training realm, specifically experience coordinating and implementing training and/or identifying needs in collaboration with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Ensures training needs for assigned region(s), training program or system are appropriately addressed through collaboration with YAI Knowledge colleagues and in coordination with regional program leadership and other support departments, serving as the primary contact and liaison for area(s) of responsibility.
Performs all duties of Trainer as needed, including facilitation of one-on-one and group trainings across assigned region(s) in person, on-site and/or virtually using multi-media and virtual platforms, applying knowledge of various styles of learning while presenting.
Works closely with regional program leadership, shares information with all levels of management, as appropriate and regularly attends regional leadership meetings to provide updates, offerings and solutions to training-related needs; provides feedback pertaining to participants and obtains information, as needed.
Participates in the development and facilitation of trainings to address specific needs, including corrective actions or audit concerns, as needed; implements and updates such trainings as appropriate for use in other programs/areas.
Regularly evaluates training effectiveness and proactively identifies training needs; participates in updates to existing content or materials and/or development of new content to implement improvements or incorporate new methods or techniques.
Researches new or improved training and presenting techniques or materials and makes recommendations for updates to training content as requested; makes approved updates and communicates changes to YAI Knowledge team.
With appropriate certification, facilitates ‘Train-the-Trainer’ sessions to support program needs for various trainings, certifications and recertifications; may participate in identification of auxiliary trainers.
Ensures auxiliary trainers are successfully implementing training content through regular observation and evaluation in respective area(s), if applicable.
Coordinates training schedules, staffing and/or resources specific to assigned region(s) or program.
Completes or ensures completion of all necessary documentation for various training courses and participates in tracking or reporting attendance and updating electronic systems or making notifications, as needed.
Regularly travels between various YAI Network locations across assigned region(s) to facilitate trainings and meet with program leadership; may travel across other regions and/or to external locations, as needed.
Performs all other duties, as assigned.