Training Support Specialist

Job Title: Training Support Specialist

Department: Workforce Development

Reports to: Program Manager

Classification: Full-Time; Non-Exempt

Supervises: N/A

Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, Inc.’s mission is to assist individuals with disabilities or other barriers to obtain employment. The expectation of this position is to achieve organizational, team and personal goals in alignment with our mission and services offered.

The Training Support Specialist serves as a trainer for Goodwill Industries of Mississippi’s workforce development programs, delivering structured retail skills training to Adult MDRS clients, Pre-ETS students, and Work-Based Learning participants. This role oversees daily trainee activities, identifies the training needs of participants, monitors attendance and performance, and coordinates individualized training progression in collaboration with Program Managers and retail management.

The position is responsible for timely bi-weekly progress reporting, participation in staffing meetings, and ensuring full MDRS and program compliance across all participant documentation. The Training Support Specialist works with the Program Manager to develop and maintain curriculum and instructional materials, and applies appropriate training modifications for diverse learners. This role also supports workforce development outreach efforts, engaging individuals across a variety of community populations and off-site locations to promote and expand program participation.

This role requires independent judgment in instructional delivery and program coordination across multiple locations while maintaining regulatory standards and organizational policies.

• Completes bi-weekly progress reports for all trainees and submits them to the Program Manager in a timely manner; participates in monthly staffing meetings to support participant progress.

• Oversees and coordinates the daily activities of assigned trainees, ensuring alignment with individual training plans and successful skill development and goal attainment under the direction of the Program Manager.

• Monitors trainee time and attendance and reports any concerns or issues as needed.

• Participates in all required staff training events and maintains current knowledge of program requirements and best practices.

• Collaborates effectively with retail store management to coordinate training activities and ensure a supportive learning environment.

• Assists with developing and maintaining training curriculum and materials, including Digital Skills and Customer Service training programs, incorporating best practices, labor market information, and adult learning techniques; gathers post-session feedback from participants.

• Supports other Training Support Specialists by serving as a resource on training methods, instructional strategies, and effective coaching techniques.

• Ensures compliance with MDRS requirements by maintaining accurate, complete, and timely participant documentation across all program streams, including Adult MDRS clients, Pre-ETS students, and Work-Based Learning participants.

• Exercises independent judgment in instructional delivery, adapting training approaches for diverse learners across multiple locations, including retail stores, community centers, and off-site sites.

• Travels to off-site locations to promote workforce development programs, raise awareness, and register participants, including individuals from a variety of populations such as incarcerated, reentry, sober living, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation communities.

• Assists with participant enrollment and intake processes, maintains accurate attendance and sign-in records, enters program management data, and reports completion outcomes to leadership, in absence of Program Manager, as needed.

• Maintains training and office spaces in a clean and organized condition and reports any technical issues or facility concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

• Represents Goodwill Industries of Mississippi at community events and speaking engagements, serving as a public-facing representative of workforce development programs.

• Safeguards company property and ensures the safety of employees by promptly reporting incidents, accidents, theft, fraud, waste, or unauthorized possession of company property to appropriate leadership.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

High School Diploma or equivalency mandatory, Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Related experience may be substituted in lieu of education. Minimum of 3-5 years related experience in educational practice, workforce development, or adult training preferred.

Not applicable.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses.

• Ability to learn, demonstrate, and train individuals with varying abilities on a wide range of topics.

• Excellent interpersonal, counseling, and negotiation skills.

• Ability to work independently and communicate with supervisor as needed.

• Curriculum development and instructional design capabilities (preferred)

• Knowledge of MDRS, Pre-ETS, and workforce development program regulatory requirements (preferred)

• Supports the mission and vision of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, Inc.

• Maintains a valid driver license and reliable transportation off-site training programs.

• Must have communication capability via cell phone and/or smartphone technology.

• Working knowledge of computers, including the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Promotes and demonstrates ethical practices in all activities.

• Promotes a safe work environment and follows all CARF requirements.

• Ability to pass alcohol/drug screenings, criminal background check and any insurance driving record check.

• Works in an environment with occasional high stress, with potentially short deadlines.

• Must be able to physically write, stand, walk, and drive for extended periods in performance of assigned duties.

• Routinely bends, stoops, pulls, pushes, reaches, kneels, twists, turns throughout the day.

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds in retail environment; 50 pounds in Donations/ADC/ Aftermarket environment, or the ability to do so safely.

Travel:

Significant travel required. May travel to other locations to assist with training activities. Some travel for meetings, conferences and/or trainings may be required.