Advocate- Workforce Development Training USA

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions: 

The Training Advocate is a crew position of the Workforce Development Team.  Our team's mission is to build and sustain a culture of learning with production associates.  Advocates will collaborate with the area Tech III, supervisors, and other cross functional associates to advance their team's training in all aspects (safety, quality, technical, problem solving, 5S, leadership, etc.) While the lead responsibility for on-the-job (OJT) training will remain with the production team lead by the Tech III and Supervisor, the advocates will provide support to ensure the material is correct, training is properly conducted, and to verify with the experts the associate's sign off is appropriate.  Advocates will routinely check in with new associates to ensure a successful first 90 days.  Advocates will help improve existing courses, identify new training, facilitate the introduction of new training, host classroom training sessions and to provide reporting. Advocates will attend crew and team meetings as needed to share information, provide recognition on successful training and receive feedback. Advocates may be required to come in early in the day or stay later into the evening and attend events on normally scheduled off days. 

Education and Experience:   

• Candidates with any of the following experiences:
• 3 months of First Solar experience as a Production or Coater Team Lead & supervisor endorsement
• 6 months of First Solar experience related to manufacturing along with 6 months of experience (at First Solar or externally) in leadership, training, or customer service.
• 12 months of external experience related to manufacturing along with 6 months of experience (at First Solar or externally) in leadership, training, or customer service.
• High School Diploma or GED required.     

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Passion for training.
• Technical competence in any of the production areas (FE, FIN1, FIN2, or FIN3).
• Demonstrated ability to properly train others.
• Works well with associates and management to foster teamwork and learning.
• Good communication skills (oral and written) with peers and management (1:1 and in group setting).
• Dependable on personal time management and follow-up on responsibilities.
• Demonstrated safe working habits.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Help build a culture of learning.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and practice good housekeeping.
• Maintain high standard for quality.
• Foster teamwork through collaboration with associates, Tech III, supervisors, and other functions.
• Effective communication (oral and written) 1:1 and in group setting.
• Facilitate introduction of new training.
• Lead and support training of associates.
• Validate associates training is complete.
• Collect data and provide reports.
• Host classroom group training.
• Check in on new hires to ensure they have the support and training needed to be successful. 
• Document information to be used for training (improvements & new)
• Attend crew and team meetings as needed to share information, provide recognition & receive feedback.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships:

• No direct reports.

Travel:

• No regular travel is required outside the First Solar work site.
• Travel may be required within the US for training purposes.
• If hired during plant start up, you will be expected to travel to other First Solar locations for training.

Estimated Salary Range:

• , Hourly

US Physical Requirements: 

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs or steps on a frequent basis.
• Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 50 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 37 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in both eyes (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to: steel-toed shoes, cut-resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection & respirators) and a condition of employment and continued employment (may require little or no facial hair).

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.   All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.      

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.