Training Specialist (Transportation)

Job Title: Training & Workforce Development Specialist

Industry : Transportation

Location (city, state) : Landover Hills, MD

Assignment Type: Contract, 1+ year

Pay : $48–$52/hour (based on experience)

Work Schedule : Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; full-time, in-office

Benefits : This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

About The Company: Our client is a growing transportation organization supporting a major light rail operation in the Maryland region. The organization is focused on safe, dependable service and a strong customer experience while continuing to expand its operational infrastructure and workforce.

This is an opportunity to join a developing organization where the Training and Workforce Development function is being established and built from the ground up. The successful candidate will have meaningful influence over training processes, systems, compliance practices, and workforce development initiatives.

Job Description:

• The Training & Workforce Development Specialist will partner closely with HR leadership to establish and manage a comprehensive training function. This individual will develop training programs, implement supporting systems, monitor employee qualifications, and ensure training activities meet operational, safety, and regulatory expectations.
• The ideal candidate is an experienced training professional who is comfortable creating structure in a developing environment, communicating with stakeholders at all levels, and confidently navigating situations where new processes may require additional explanation or adoption.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and establish training processes, systems, and standards for a growing transportation organization.
• Develop an enterprise-wide training strategy that supports safety, operational readiness, employee development, and succession planning.
• Create and maintain training curricula for operations, maintenance, safety, supervisory, and other applicable employee groups.
• Establish training matrices to monitor required courses, certifications, qualifications, and recurring training.
• Coordinate training delivered internally as well as programs provided by outside vendors.
• Implement, administer, or support the development of an LMS and other training documentation systems.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready employee training and certification records.
• Develop reporting and performance metrics to evaluate training effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assess workforce capabilities and identify skill gaps that may impact operational readiness or future staffing needs.
• Partner with HR, Operations, Maintenance, and Safety to ensure training programs address business and regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency preparedness exercises, drills, and training-related corrective actions.
• Establish expectations for instructors and trainers and evaluate the effectiveness of instructional programs.
• Coach and educate managers and supervisors on employee development, training procedures, and related systems.
• Assist with training-related vendor relationships, contracts, budgeting, and purchasing activities.
• Monitor adherence to applicable transportation, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance and clarification when introducing new training requirements or processes across departments.
• Take on additional training and workforce development initiatives as organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications:

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in training, workforce development, compliance, or a related function, preferably within transportation.
• Experience working in a highly regulated or safety-sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated success building training functions, processes, programs, or systems from the ground up.
• Experience developing training strategies, curricula, processes, or organizational development programs.
• Strong understanding of compliance, employee qualifications, certification tracking, and recurring training requirements.
• Experience with an LMS, training database, or comparable learning/training technology.
• Advanced Excel skills are required. Candidates should be comfortable using Excel to organize, analyze, track, and report training-related information.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to work with employees, managers, and cross-functional leadership.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and explain new processes in environments where there may initially be resistance or questions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data and use findings to improve training programs and workforce performance.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, organizational development, transportation, engineering, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience in transportation is strongly preferred, but candidates from other highly regulated or safety-focused industries may be considered.
• A valid Maryland, Virginia, or District of Columbia driver’s license and acceptable driving history are required.

Transferable Industry Experience - Candidates with relevant training, compliance, and workforce development experience may also come from industries such as:

• Aviation
• Logistics and distribution
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Utilities
• Oil and gas
• Warehousing and supply chain
• Mining
• Aerospace and defense

Additional Details:

• This is a newly created position supporting the development of the organization's Training and Workforce Development function.
• The position works closely with HR leadership and partners extensively with operational departments.
• Candidates should be confident, polished, proactive, and comfortable establishing processes where limited infrastructure currently exists.
• The role is primarily administrative but may require access to operational facilities, rail yards, maintenance areas, and other field environments.
• Ability to work around noise, weather, moving equipment, and other operational conditions while following required safety procedures and PPE requirements.
• Some flexibility may be required for emergency response activities, drills, or operational training needs, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays.
• The role is not eligible for overtime.

Perks:

• Opportunity to build a training function from the ground up.
• Significant visibility and cross-functional exposure.
• Ability to directly influence training strategy, processes, and workforce development.
• Opportunity to work in a growing transportation and infrastructure environment.
• Long-term contract opportunity of 1+ year.

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

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