At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Technical Training Specialist - Apprenticeship Programs

Job Function Summary

The Technical Training Specialist provides administrative, counseling, consultative and investigative services for apprenticeship training and certification within the Apprenticeship Program and promotes and coordinates apprenticeship training in accordance with predetermined standards. Provides a linkage between industry standards, subject matter experts (SME’s), employers and apprentices, and carries out specific related functions under the legislation and regulations respecting the designated trades and corresponding PGE apprenticeship programs. Designs and implements training programs to enhance technical skills.

Key Job Information

Requires in-depth knowledge and experience.  Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services.  Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions.  Works independently; receives minimal guidance.  Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Key Responsibilities

May specialize in any combination of the following depending on the role:

Collaboration- Collaborates with Apprenticeship Team, internal stakeholder clients, subject matter experts and other teams to assess Apprenticeship requirements, objectives, and creative direction; determines appropriate visual, content, and animated elements of projects; assesses time requirements for each task. Collaborates with Apprenticeship team and internal stakeholder clients to establish appropriate project timeline.  Coordinates with other teams and operations employees. May represent PGE in external operations training forums.

Training Content Development- Utilizing experience and knowledge as a subject matter expert (trades certification, prior apprenticeship experience) while collaborate with other subject matter experts to design and develop role-based training content for Apprenticeship program participants, ensuring reliable and compliant operations.

• Partners closely with others to conduct training needs assessments to identify operations personnel skill/knowledge gaps and training objectives. Develops and/or coordinates necessary training to support operations excellence.
  
• Partners closely with other training groups to ensure consistent use of training best practices and methodology and alignment with departmental short- and long-term training plans.
  
• May coordinate one or more channels from start to finish and/or may be assigned one or more client groups. Writes or edits content, develops format, reviews layout, secures needed reviews and publishes materials. Coordinates distribution of training communication materials. Ensures training material, communications and approved templates align to brand concepts and standards. Typically works with managers and subject matter experts.

Training Content Delivery- Works directly with SME’s to develop and coordinate training activities performed by professional, technical, and operational staff to create consistency of content in training sessions.

Program Management- Administers multiple apprenticeship programs, to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies. Collaborates with managers, committee members, and employees to assess program needs and develops customized training content, programs, approaches, and methodologies, taking into consideration changes in technology, regulation or best practices and aligning to HR strategy. Serves as subject matter expert on the Apprenticeship programs.

• Coordinate training courses or programs, including meeting with instructors, providing information to employees, arranging training sessions and updating materials.

• Collaborates with stakeholders to assess learner needs or gaps to either modify existing programs or build new programs; ensures programs are aligned to business strategy.

Facilitation- Facilitates instructor-led technical training in more complex or sensitive topics that will include SME assistance, establishes group norms, adapts content based on participant needs, encourages engagement, and leads and adapts discussion and/or activities.

Helps create presentations and participates in the development and promotion of the apprenticeship model of training and recruitment; coordinates and monitors technical and on-the-job training.

Compliance- Ensures the Apprenticeship Program training meets regulatory requirements. Analyzes regulatory changes and suggests adaptations to existing training modules or programs. Supports existing committees. Provides program updates or reports to appropriate regulatory bodies.

Project Management- Manages creative projects from concept to completion and provides highest-quality work with careful attention to detail, timeline and budgets; prioritizes tasks; ensures projects conform to PGE’s strategic direction, products, processes, customers, and overall marketplace.

• Coordinate’s initiatives and projects to support employee and management development of technical skills through various channels.

• Utilize content development tools, learning management system platforms and internal resources to meet technical training needs. In collaboration with managers, technical training team, stakeholders, and other areas of HR, selects optimal training products or training methodologies using adult learning techniques and instructional design concepts.

Project Process Controls- Establishes and maintains formal controls to manage and monitor project budget, scope, quality, schedule, and risks across the portfolio of projects and overall program completion that is on time and within budget. Negotiates necessary project changes with project managers and project sponsors. Maintains, adjusts, and updates overall project and program plans as needed.

Sourcing- Identifies Apprenticeship Program needs and establishes overall objectives aligned to corporate objectives. Identifies when learning solutions will address performance gaps. Researches and implements solutions involving internal curation and external resources. Assists in the development of vendor SOW. Supports implementation. Monitor’s vendor performance to established metrics or provides feedback to internal training resources.

Education/Experience/Certifications:

Education- Typically, a bachelor’s degree in business, science, engineering or technology or other related field or equivalent experience.

Typically, two or more years in training and/or operations, depending on position.

Completion of a trades Apprenticeship is preferred.

Experience in the field of adult education in an operational environment is preferred.

Experience with working knowledge of utility operations (transmission, distribution, balancing authority, EIM, merchant trading functions, etc.) is preferred.

Requires a valid Driver’s License and a history of safe driving practices.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

Functional Competencies

• Intermediate knowledge of employment laws related to area of discipline.
• Working knowledge of PGE’s policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements and benefit plans.
• Working knowledge of industry best practices related to area of discipline.
• Intermediate knowledge of collective bargaining agreement.
• Intermediate knowledge of learning technologies.
• Working knowledge of instructional systems design.
• Working skills in project/program management.
• Intermediate skills in facilitation and presentations.
• Working skills in systems and programs used in functional area, including data retrieval.
• Working knowledge of apprenticeship system, legislation and regulations respecting the apprenticeship programs and a working knowledge of post-secondary education.
• Working knowledge of the apprenticeship model of training.
• Working knowledge of trades and trends in the industry.
• Working knowledge of applicable government policies and priorities, and other agencies’ mandates and interprovincial activities.
• Intermediate organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Intermediate conflict resolution, analytical and record keeping and administrative skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

General Competencies

• Intermediate customer focus skills.
• Working safety leadership skills.
• Working skills in analytical thinking.
• Intermediate skills in problem solving.
• Intermediate oral and written communication skills.
• Intermediate interpersonal skills.
• Intermediate decision-making skills.
• Intermediate organization and prioritization skills.
• Working knowledge of business process interrelationships.
• Intermediate skills in change leadership.
• Intermediate risk management skills.

Physical and Cognitive Demands:

Cognitive Level

Intermediate: Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks.
• Ability to follow accuracy standards.
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks.
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress.
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change.
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback.
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement.
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization.
• Demonstrates sound memory.
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to work long hours.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather.
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.

Physical Capabilities:

Driving/travel/commute: Frequently (at least once a week or more)
Overnight inside/outside the service territory: Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)

Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Lifting/pushing/pulling (check appropriate weight): Up to 50 lb

Carrying (check appropriate weight): Up to 50 lb

Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply: Confined spaces, Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces), Stairs (over 10 steps)

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor

☒   Office environment

☒   Plant environment

☒   Field environment

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting [email protected] or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process. 

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.  Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.