Training and Development Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26419 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Sophia Bielsky

Email: sophia.bielsky@montana.edu

Phone: (406) 994-5801

Classification Title Training/Dev Coord Working Title Training and Development Specialist Brief Position Overview

MSU Access and Success is seeking a Training and Development Specialist to support campus-wide initiatives that foster inclusive dialogue, effective communication, and community engagement. This position plays a key role in developing and delivering educational programming that enhances the ability of students, faculty, and staff to engage across differences and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive campus environment.

The Training and Development Specialist manages several signature programs, including Safe Zone, and Cultural Bridges, and collaborates with campus partners to expand training capacity and impact.

The Training and Development Specialist is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of educational programs that support dialogue across differences, inclusive practices, and community engagement. This position manages key training initiatives and collaborates with campus partners to expand learning opportunities that foster effective communication, cultural awareness, and inclusive excellence.

Position Number TBD Department DISC Division Division of Student Success Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Starting at $23.323 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement Duties and Responsibilities

Curriculum Development & Assessment

• Design, develop, assess, and regularly revise workshop curricula and facilitator training materials for the Skills to Dialogue (S2D) program, Safe Zone program, and Cultural Bridges training series, incorporating participant feedback and emerging best practices.
• Adapt training content to meet specific departmental or campus needs in collaboration with the Director.
• Ensure programs align with Montana State University's mission and commitment to student success and inclusive excellence.
• Develop and implement assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs
• Analyze the data and feedback to continuously improve and adapt programs to meet the needs of the campus community

Partnership Development & Outreach

• Build and maintain partnerships with academic and administrative units across campus who are interested in training content related to dialogue, inclusive practices, and communicating across differences.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to identify training needs and co-create workshops focused on identity, communication, and inclusion.
• Expand Cultural Bridges offerings to address a wide range of community perspectives and experiences.

Program Management & Coordination

• Oversee and manage the Safe Zone program and Cultural Bridges training series.
• Conduct engaging, skill-focused, informative presentations, workshops, events, and training sessions for students, faculty, and staff.
• Facilitate discussions and activities that promote understanding and skill-building in areas such as inclusive practice and dialogue
• Work with partners to coordinate logistical elements for trainings and workshops, including scheduling, room reservations, catering, facilitator assignments, communications, and materials preparation.
• Recruit facilitators, plan and execute facilitator trainings for all training programs.
• Develop and implement participant follow-up strategies, including organizing student dialogue sessions and ongoing engagement opportunities.
• Work with campus partners to fulfill training requests and design custom curriculum to meet their needs, as possible

Facilitator Recruitment & Development

• Develop strategies to expand program reach and training capacity.
• Recruit, train, and support a diverse cohort of student and staff facilitators.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, coaching, and evaluation for facilitators.
• Create an initial and ongoing training program to educate facilitators about facilitation best practices, training content, and creating space for participants to develop and practice their skills.

Marketing & Communications

• Develop program messaging, branding, and communication strategies.
• Provide guidance and direction to student staff or partners on marketing materials and outreach efforts.
• Promote programs to increase participation and awareness across the university community.

Collaboration & Special Projects

• Work closely with the Director on strategic training initiatives and custom workshop requests.
• Contribute to program assessment, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in education, student affairs, communication, social sciences, or a related field or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Experience facilitating trainings, workshops, or educational programs.
• Experience developing curriculum or training materials related to dialogue, inclusion, or communication.
• Demonstrated experience in program coordination or project management.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including students, faculty, and staff.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, organizational development, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of intergroup dialogue, conflict resolution, or inclusive pedagogy frameworks.
• Experience with program assessment and data-informed decision-making.
• Familiarity with marketing, outreach strategies, or supervising student staff.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be open to receiving feedback and adjusting accordingly
• Adapt communication style and language to diverse audiences
• Deliver clear, concise, and actionable instructions
• Facilitate productive disagreement and surface differing perspectives
• Skillfully hold silence, tension, and emotion without prematurely resolving it
• Demonstrate intellectual humility, embracing learning, unlearning, and making mistakes
• Exercise strong judgment
• Model accountability and follow through on commitments
• Collaborate effectively, building trust and sharing credit with integrity
• Adapt quickly and effectively when plans shift
• Manage timelines, logistics, and competing priorities with discipline
• Influence and guide through credibility, relationships, and facilitation rather than authority.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search. Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on June 9th 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).