Training Specialist I

$90,000 - $95,000

The Training Specialist position is located in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Operations Directorate (OPS), Office of Facility Management (FAC), within the immediate office of the Office Director.

FAC provides global support to the Department of State (DOS) by ensuring that overseas posts have safe, secure, and fully functional facilities. Its mission includes providing professional specialty services, facility maintenance funding, technical assistance, personnel, training, and project support to embassies and consulates worldwide.

The Training Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, evaluating, and updating FAC training courses and materials for Locally Employed Staff (LES) assigned to facility management offices abroad. These training programs are designed to:

1. Develop and equip employees to meet both immediate and long-term operational and maintenance needs.
2. Ensure state-of-the-art systems are operated and maintained properly.
3. Support the safety and functionality of DOS facilities at embassies and consulates worldwide.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• The Training Specialist, assigned to the immediate office of the Director, plays a critical role in ensuring overseas facility maintenance staff are properly equipped to operate, maintain, and repair state-of-the-art facilities worldwide. This position is responsible for designing, developing, and delivering high-quality instructional materials, courses, and multimedia content that align with FAC’s strategic goals and support safe, effective, and efficient facility operations.
• Key Responsibilities

• Training Program Development
  • Assist in creating comprehensive plans to identify training gaps and needs, and implement solutions to address them.
  • Develop, design, and deliver instructional materials and courses that support effective learning experiences.
  • Enhance curriculum and course design to advance FAC’s long-term training objectives.
• Content Design & Development
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to define learning objectives and content requirements.
  • Create engaging, learner-centered instructional materials including e-learning modules, manuals, and multimedia presentations.
  • Apply instructional design principles and adult learning theories to build impactful learning experiences.
  • Develop interactive, multimedia-rich digital learning content (courses, videos, simulations, motion graphics) using tools such as Photoshop, After Effects, and e-learning authoring software.
  • Produce storyboards, scripts, and prototypes to guide content flow and structure.
• Assessment & Evaluation
  • Create and administer assessments to measure training effectiveness.
  • Analyze results to identify improvement areas and adjust content and delivery methods accordingly.
  • Participate in quality assurance testing to ensure training modules function properly and meet Section 504 compliance standards.
• Learning Technology & Systems
  • Manage and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS), providing technical assistance and support to users as needed.
  • Optimize user interfaces and engagement with courseware and learning tools.
  • Stay current with educational technology trends and tools to enhance training delivery.
• Media & Resource Management
  • Maintain a media library and associated metadata.
  • Provide media support services including duplication, captioning, and quality control.
  • Research new technologies and ideas to improve content production and delivery.
• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
  • Partner with the FTB team and division SMEs to align training with organizational goals.
  • Manage the full content development cycle—from creation and updates to evaluation and adoption.
  • Contribute leadership ideas, provide constructive feedback, and engage in continuous improvement practices.
• Budget & Resource Support
  • Provide input on the development, defense, and justification of training budgets.
  • Support budgeting for in-class and online training, related travel, and multilingual training aids such as videos and open-source materials.

• Preferred bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience.
• The contractor must be granted a Secret security clearance prior to entry on duty and maintain such clearance throughout the period of employment.
• The contractor must be available for overseas travel for short. periods of time (up to 5% or more of the calendar year), and to work extended work hours in conjunction with contractor schedules while at overseas posts.
• Worldwide availability for travel and appropriate medical clearance are required.
• Medical precautions in the form of inoculations and other preventive medicines are routinely required for overseas travel, and some locations require special precautions regarding food and water consumption and personal safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional knowledge of adult learning and training theories, principles, and concepts.
• Demonstrated expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, and e-learning solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with e-learning authoring tools such as Adobe Captivate, Photoshop, After Effects, or comparable software.
• Strong understanding of curriculum design and development methodologies, including the ADDIE model, to create and implement systematic training practices, methods, and policies that support organizational goals.