Volunteer Training Specialist

Who We Are

FIRST^® is the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education and the development of holistic skills to prepare young people for the future. For 30 years, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning with the fun and excitement of traditional sports and the inspiration that comes from community through programs that have a proven impact on learning, interest and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom. This legacy and opportunity is as strong and dynamic as ever, as FIRST creates the people who will change the world – today and tomorrow.

About this Role

Volunteers are the lifeblood of FIRST and make it possible to deliver our programs to youth around the world. Every year, over 175,000 FIRST volunteers contribute over 20 million hours as event volunteers, mentors and coaches. As part of the Volunteer Resources Department at FIRST, the Training Specialist will develop and lead initiatives that support the training of FIRST volunteers.  This individual will work closely with internal program departments, external stakeholders and local delivery partners to determine general volunteer training needs, resource gaps, or other opportunities to improve the support provided to our volunteers. The person in this role will analyze existing training, identify training best practices already employed in our FIRST community, identify areas for improved alignment and consistency in training across departments and develop new cross-program trainings and resources. Our ideal candidate will be a highly collaborative problem solver who excels at building relationships, gaining consensus from diverse stakeholders, and taking projects from concept to completion.

In return, we promise a fast-paced, challenging and rewarding environment where you will be part of a team that cares about each other and thrives on each other’s successes. You’ll feel good about the future of the world after doing hard work with the talented people at FIRST and will have a front row seat to our life changing programs.

Reports to: Manager, Volunteer Systems & Training.  This role is located in Manchester, NH although we will consider a remote working arrangement for the right candidate.

The Details

• Provide project management and oversight for key cross-program training projects to include working with external vendors and other departments that deliver training to volunteers
• Work with programs to ensure that FIRST volunteer trainings, whether developed by this role or by other departments, are cost-effective and have a consistent look and feel
• Leverage existing and emerging learning management technologies to deliver online content
• Develop training content for cross-programmatic, foundational FIRST volunteer topics
• Manage external vendors as necessary to create and develop outsourced materials
• Be the subject matter expert regarding best practices in volunteer training
• Partner with other departments such as the Education team, Programs, Marketing and IT on cross-department training initiatives supporting FIRST priorities
• Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of existing volunteer training and resources and ensure materials are updated as needed
• Collaborate with, and provide expertise to, other members of the Volunteer Resources Department regarding the development or creation of training materials and resources

Qualifications and Experience:

• BA/BS or equivalent job experience required
• Minimum 2-4 years’ directly related experience
• Project management experience
• Knowledge of adult learning principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship building skills
• Experience designing and delivering training/learning through a variety of modalities or formats
• Experience using Learning Management Systems and other digital learning technologies to deliver training and resources
• FIRST experience a plus

Commitment to FIRST® Core Values:

Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.

Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.

Impact:  We apply what we learn to improve our world.

Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.

Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.

Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Thriving on our core values, celebrating the uniqueness of our employees and committed to inclusion. Proud to be an equal opportunity employer.