Job Description
Position Summary:
The Training Specialist plays an important role in supporting workforce learning, development, and engagement across the City of Philadelphia. This position designs, updates, and delivers training programs and learning resources that serve employees, teams, cohorts, departments and citywide workforce initiatives.
The Training Specialist develops engaging and practical learning experiences for a variety of audiences across departments, job levels, and employee groups. Responsibilities may include creating new training content, enhancing existing materials, facilitating professional development sessions, and incorporating adult learning practices into course design and delivery.
This role requires a creative and organized professional who can translate information into clear, interactive, and useful learning experiences. The ideal candidate is comfortable facilitating groups, developing training materials, using technology to support learning, and working both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward. Position Description Revised 9/27/2019 Core Functions (All Specialties)
The Training Specialist may perform the following essential functions:
• Conduct needs-assessment meetings with departments, teams, and stakeholders to identify skill gaps, training needs, workforce challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Design, develop, update, and enhance training programs, workshops, instructional materials, presentations, job aids, exercises, and other learning resources.
• Translate stakeholder input, program goals, needs assessments, and complex information into clear learning objectives, training outlines, facilitator guides, participant materials, and learner activities.
• Deliver engaging training sessions in virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats for employees, teams, cohorts, departments, working groups, and citywide audiences.
• Apply adult learning principles, instructional design practices, and creative facilitation techniques to promote participation, knowledge retention, and practical application.
• Create interactive and visually effective learning content using tools such as Microsoft, learning management systems, or other training and design platforms.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, department leaders, vendors, committees, and other partners to ensure training content is accurate, relevant, practical, and tailored to the intended audience.
• Support specialized workshops, team retreats, cohort learning, new program rollouts, and workforce initiatives by developing and facilitating training that promotes understanding, engagement, adoption, and application.
• Collect, review, and use participant feedback, evaluations, assessments, and other learning data to measure training effectiveness and improve learning materials and delivery.
• Manage assigned training projects by establishing timelines, coordinating logistics, communicating with stakeholders, tracking deliverables, and ensuring timely completion.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by department and/or unit leadership.
Essential Functions by Specialty
The Training Specialist may be assigned to one or more of the following specialty areas:
Potential Focus Areas
The Training Specialist may support one or more focus areas based on department needs, workforce priorities, and program assignments. These areas provide examples of how the role may apply training, facilitation, and instructional design skills.
Professional development
Supports structured learning programs that build core workforce skills, strengthen professional growth, and support career development. This may include recurring professional development courses, cohort-based learning, employee skill-building programs, vendor-supported training, and train-the-trainer activities.
Team Development
Supports learning experiences that strengthen team effectiveness, communication, collaboration, and workplace engagement. This may include team workshops, retreat activities, facilitated discussions, experiential learning activities, and customized sessions that address team dynamics or workplace culture needs.
Workforce Initiatives
Supports citywide initiatives and emerging workforce needs through targeted training solutions. This may include learning materials for new programs, services, systems, policies, or strategic priorities, as well as training on topics such as multigenerational workforce practices, LinkedIn Learning adoption, public sector customer service, communication, and workplace effectiveness.
Core Competencies
• Demonstrates creativity and innovation in designing training that is practical, engaging, learner centered, accessible, and relevant to workforce needs.
• Communicates complex information, processes, programs, or new concepts in a clear, digestible, and learner-friendly way.
• Engages diverse audiences across departments, job levels, learning styles, and work environments.
• Uses effective facilitation techniques to encourage participation, navigate group dynamics, support dialogue, and create a respectful learning environment.
• Builds rapport and establishes trust with departments, subject matter experts, leadership, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• Collaborates effectively with internal teams, department leaders, external vendors, and subject matter experts to deliver accurate, relevant, and high-quality training programs.
• Works independently, sets priorities, manages multiple assignments concurrently, and moves projects forward with limited supervision.
• Demonstrates flexibility, sound judgment, and professionalism in a fast-paced, evolving work environment.
• Uses a continuous improvement mindset to evaluate training effectiveness, adjust content, and improve the learner experience.
Knowledge
• Knowledge of adult learning theory, instructional design principles, and training best practices.
• Knowledge of instructional design models and approaches, such as ADDIE, SAM, or similar frameworks.
• Knowledge of training design methods, including learning objectives, facilitator guides, participant materials, activities, assessments, job aids, and evaluation tools.
• Knowledge of virtual, hybrid, in-person, eLearning, cohort-based, and blended learning environments.
• Knowledge of methods for assessing training effectiveness, including participant feedback, evaluations, surveys, assessments, and post-training improvement practices.
• Knowledge of public sector or municipal workforce needs, policies, values, and service expectations is preferred. Skills
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver engaging training.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, concise, and engaging training materials, scripts, job aids, handouts, presentations, and learner resources.
• Skill in designing, developing, and updating training content for classroom instruction, workshops, eLearning, learning management systems, cohort learning, and blended learning formats.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint and other content development tools; experience with Articulate and Rise, Canva, learning management systems, or similar instructional design tools is preferred.
• Skill in translating stakeholder input, needs assessments, meeting notes, program goals, and complex information into clear learning objectives, training outlines, instructional materials, and learner activities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple training projects, meet deadlines, track deliverables, communicate progress, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify workforce learning needs, review participant feedback, and translate findings into practical training solutions.
• Ability to use AI and other emerging technologies appropriately to support research, instructional design, content development, training delivery, and learner engagement.
Abilities
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage multiple assignments concurrently. • Ability to build rapport quickly and establish trust with departments and cross-functional partners.
• Ability to revise and enhance existing training materials with clarity and creativity.
• Ability to explain concepts, processes, or new programs in a digestible, learner-friendly way. • Ability to support training needs related to Employee Engagement and other citywide initiatives.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced, evolving work environment.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Education, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or professional development training.
• Proficiency in Articulate and/or PowerPoint, and other instructional design tools is required. Position Description • Familiarity with using AI or other advanced technologies for instructional design is a plus.
• Experience in designing and delivering professional development or corporate training for adult learners.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in a government, nonprofit, or public sector environment.
• Certification in instructional design or adult learning principles.
• Familiarity with tools
• Experience designing interactive training for team-building or retreat-based learning
Additional Information
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
- Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
- Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
- We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
- Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Generous retirement savings options are available
- Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
- Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
Company Description
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
- Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
- Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
- Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
- Benefits - We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) works to modernize city government and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City services. The CAO oversees eight City departments and offices, innovating and strengthening their administrative functions and supporting their resident-facing operations to evaluate, plan, and continually improve their service delivery. The eight City departments and offices that report to the CAO include: Office for People with Disabilities (OPD), Department of Records, the Office of Administrative Review (OAR), the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT), the Office of Talent & Employee Success, Procurement Department, Department of Labor and Strategic Direction and Transformation.
