Training Program Manager - Transmission & Power Delivery (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

Hiring Salary Range:

$102,400 - $153,600

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

PURPOSE:

Provide strategic leadership, governance, and oversight of technical training and workforce qualification programs across Dairyland Power Cooperative's Transmission and Power Delivery operations. Accountable for establishing and sustaining comprehensive, standardized training and qualification frameworks that ensure workforce competency, regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and the safe execution of complex, high-risk utility activities.

Lead the assessment of organizational competency needs and the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of technical training programs utilizing a systematic approach to training. Establish qualification standards, evaluate program effectiveness, and direct strategic training initiatives that address operational risks, evolving technologies, workforce development needs, and long-term organizational capability.

Serve as a technical training authority and strategic advisor to operational leadership, influencing workforce readiness, training investments, and qualification requirements across multiple departments and disciplines. Exercise independent judgment in establishing program priorities, resolving complex training and qualification challenges, and implementing sustainable solutions that protect employees, preserve critical technical knowledge, and support Dairyland's ability to safely and reliably meet current and future operational demands.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide governance and oversight of technical training and qualification programs for Transmission and Power Delivery, establishing program standards, qualification requirements, training processes, documentation requirements and measures of effectiveness across participating departments and work locations.

• Establish and oversee the processes, systems, and controls necessary to administer technical training and qualification programs, ensuring the integrity of qualification records, effective program execution, and organizational visibility of workforce competency and training compliance.

• Serve as the technical training subject matter expert responsible for interpreting applicable regulatory, safety, and industry requirements and translating them into comprehensive training and qualification standards. Independently assess regulatory changes, operational risks, and workforce performance trends to identify competency gaps, establish corrective strategies, and implement program improvements that mitigate organizational exposure and support sustained compliance.

• Serve as Dairyland's technical training representative in industry organizations, professional forums, peer reviews, and benchmarking initiatives. Evaluate emerging industry practices, technologies, and workforce development strategies to influence the direction of Dairyland's technical training programs and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational capability and operational performance.

• Lead the establishment and ongoing governance of role-based technical competency and qualification frameworks for Transmission and Power Delivery personnel. Partner with operational leadership and technical subject matter experts to define critical knowledge, skills, performance standards, and qualification criteria, ensuring consistent and measurable expectations for workforce readiness across departments and work locations.

• Develop and lead the execution of short- and long-term technical training strategies aligned with organizational objectives, workforce capability requirements, regulatory obligations, and operational priorities. Establish risk-based training development priorities, evaluate resource requirements, and develop and manage training budgets in collaboration with Cost Center Managers. Provide recommendations regarding training investments, resource allocation, and program development initiatives to maximize organizational value and workforce readiness.

• Provide leadership and technical expertise during internal assessments, external audits, and organizational performance reviews involving workforce training and qualification. Evaluate systemic training and competency deficiencies, determine appropriate corrective strategies, and oversee the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions to strengthen program performance, regulatory compliance, and organizational risk controls.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to operational leadership on workforce competency, technical qualification, and long-term training capability. Develop and analyze key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness, identify emerging workforce risks, and provide actionable recommendations to senior management. Lead collaborative workforce capability planning efforts to anticipate training and qualification needs associated with retirements, succession planning, organizational growth, major projects, and technological advancements.

• Establish, implement, and govern a Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) for Transmission and Power Delivery technical training programs. Provide technical leadership and expertise in job and task analysis, competency assessment, instructional design, qualification development, and training effectiveness evaluation. Establish standardized methodologies, program requirements, and continuous improvement processes to ensure training solutions are risk-informed, measurable, sustainable, and aligned with organizational performance expectations.

• Lead the assessment and integration of workforce training and qualification requirements associated with new technologies, equipment installations, system modifications, and major operational initiatives. Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, and project leadership to identify competency risks, establish training requirements, and develop workforce readiness strategies that support safe and effective implementation of new or modified systems.

• Work with site manager(s) to develop training programs that maintain state-of-the-art proficiency on each unit to assure that training administered is on-point and effective. Follow-up to ensure continued competency is maintained.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience: A two-year associate degree in adult learning, Training Administration, Technical Training or relevant closely related area, with a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible related experience in electric utility operations, maintenance, technical training or workforce qualification. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Skills: Good interpersonal (verbal and written) communication skills and general administration skills; good organizational skills with documentation and people; ability to read and understand technical documents and drawings; computer literacy with proficiency in data bases, spreadsheets, and word processing; knowledge of the operation, maintenance, design, and construction of power transmission systems. Experience in training employees is strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver’s License.

Physical Demands: Sitting, standing, walking, reading, writing, hearing, speaking, seeing, fingering, grasping. Ability to operate/manipulate telephone, copier, computer, calculator, and flip charts.

Environmental Demands: Works primarily indoors.

Other Job Characteristics: Operates with a high degree of independence and professional judgment in establishing and managing technical training and qualification programs across multiple operational disciplines. Responsibilities involve complex technical, regulatory, and organizational challenges requiring advanced analytical skills, strategic planning, and the development of solutions with broad operational impact. Exercises cross-functional leadership and influence without direct supervisory authority, collaborating with operational management, technical experts, and senior leadership to establish priorities, resolve competing requirements, and achieve organizational objectives. Work requires the ability to independently manage multiple long-term initiatives, evaluate organizational risks, and make recommendations affecting workforce competency, employee safety, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability.

Dairyland Benefits:

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

- Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
- Life insurance
- Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
- Paid Time Off
- Robust Wellness Program
- New Flexible Work Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- So much more!

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

About Dairyland Power Cooperative

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.