Training & Professional Development Specialist

Organization: DeafLEAD

Job Type: Full time, salaried (exempt)

Location: Remote 

Reports To: Director of Training & Professional Development

Start Date: May 16th, 2025

Salary Range: $57,500 – 62,500 annually*

*External hires are usually brought on to DeafLEAD between the minimum to midpoint of the posted salary range depending on a combination of education, qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

Position Summary

DeafLEAD is a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Deaf+ individuals and their families within the state of Missouri and nationwide.  Our mission is to promote the emotional and physical well-being of consumers in a safe and respectful environment utilizing a consumer-centered, trauma-informed approach. 

We are committed to providing a variety of services to effectively meet the changing needs within the Deaf community. These services include (but are not limited to): crisis intervention, safety planning, legal/medical/personal advocacy, case management, crisis videophone/text/chat/hotline services, mental health services, training, and interpreting

DeafLEAD is seeking an experienced and compassionate Training & Professional Development Specialist to oversee facilitate ew hire training, maintain training systems and records, support the continued growth of staff through high-quality professional development, and foster a culture of learning and growth across the agency.  

Key Responsibilities 

Adhere to DeafLEAD’s organizational policies, procedures, and standards of conduct 

• Embody and promote DeafLEAD’s mission, vision, and core values in all training and professional development efforts 
• Assist in the design, coordination, and delivery of engaging and effective crisis line and professional development trainings for staff across all departments 
• Collaborate with department leads to develop, maintain, and communicate training schedules; monitor participation, track learning outcomes, and maintain accurate training records 
• Facilitate onboarding sessions for new hires, delivering clear, role-specific instruction on organizational practices, expectations, and tools 
• Design and deliver training sessions on topics relevant to DeafLEAD’s services, such as trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, accessibility, cultural humility, and ethical decision-making 
• Regularly assess training needs through employee feedback, leadership input, and performance data to identify knowledge or skill gaps 
• Stay informed about emerging training methodologies by attending external conferences, workshops, and webinars; incorporate new insights into DeafLEAD’s training strategies 
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and development of new Trainers; assign responsibilities and evaluate performance to ensure consistency and quality 
• Promote internal training opportunities, emphasizing benefits and relevance to job roles to increase engagement and participation 
• Communicate upcoming trainings and required sessions clearly to staff; track completion rates and provide reminders or follow-up as needed 
• Recommend and maintain updated training materials, order necessary supplies, and manage training spaces; track and operate within the department’s designated training budget 
• Contribute to broader organizational initiatives and complete other responsibilities as assigned by leadership 

Qualifications 

• Successful completion of DeafLEAD’s 40-hour crisis intervention training (required) 
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) is strongly preferred; cultural competency in working with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals is essential 
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., education, social work, organizational development) preferred 
• Demonstrated experience facilitating trainings or professional development sessions, ideally within a nonprofit, social services, or crisis-focused setting 
• Previous supervisory or management experience is strongly desired, especially experience coaching or mentoring others 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Empathetic and approachable, with a demonstrated ability to build rapport across departments and with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds 
• Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to work effectively across departments and navigate changing needs or priorities 
• Experience in crisis intervention, mental health services, or trauma-informed environments preferred, but not required 
• Ability to work respectfully with people of all identities and lived experiences 
• Must pass a criminal background check in accordance with applicable state and federal guidelines 

Compensation 

• Annual salary ranges between $57,500 - $62,500 based on education and previous experience. *External hires are usually brought on to DeafLEAD between the minimum to midpoint of the posted salary range depending on a combination of education, qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance 
• 401(k) retirement (SALARIED ONLY)
• Paid Time Off (sick, holiday, vacation, and personal)

Work Environment

DeafLEAD is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. This role requires empathy, adaptability, and cultural awareness, particularly in supporting employees who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Deaf+. 

Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Trade Secret

As a condition of employment, DeafLEAD employees are required to protect the confidentiality of DeafLEAD trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential commercially sensitive information (i.e. financial or sales records/reports, marketing or business strategies/plans, product development, customer lists, patents, trademarks, etc.) related to DeafLEAD. Access to this information should be limited to a “need to know” basis and should not be used for personal benefit, disclosed, or released without prior authorization from management. 

If you have information that leads you to suspect that employees are sharing such information in violation of this policy and/or competitors are obtaining such information, you are required to inform DeafLEAD’s PEO partner.

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination and may subject the violator to civil liability.

Inventions

Any invention created, in whole or in part, during your work hours, or from the use of equipment or facilities belonging to DeafLEAD and DeafLEAD's PEO partner, is a “work for hire” and is the property of DeafLEAD.

If you intend to develop and maintain property rights to any invention that relates in any way to products or services of DeafLEAD, you are required to obtain a written waiver of this policy, signed by both you and the CEO of DeafLEAD.

DeafLEAD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

DeafLEAD hires remote candidates in the following states:

AL, AZ, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MS, NJ, NM, NV, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI.