Capital District Transportation Authority- Technical Trainer (Albany, NY)

The Technical Trainer acts as the primary architect of workforce capability within the maintenance division. The mission of this role is to transform raw mechanical aptitude into elite technical proficiency, ensuring the fleet—comprising diesel, electric, and gas vehicles—operates at peak safety and reliability through rigorous instruction, mentorship, and quality oversight.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Technical Systems Mastery (Advanced Level)

Diagnostic Intuition: Demonstrates expert-level troubleshooting of heavy-duty vehicle systems, including internal combustion engines and hybrid/electric powertrains.
Systems Fluency: High proficiency in reading complex schematics and diagnosing communication protocols such as CAN-BUS and J1939.
EV Specialization: Advanced knowledge of high-voltage safety, PPE requirements, and the unique mechanical architecture of electric bus fleets.

2. Talent Development & Mentorship

Skill Gap Analysis: Systematically identifies performance gaps in staff and develops targeted curricula to bridge those gaps.
Career Pathing: Mentors technicians through the ASE certification pipeline, providing the coaching necessary for them to achieve Master Technician status.
Assessment Integrity: Conducts fair, objective, and rigorous hands-on and written evaluations to ensure only qualified personnel progress.

3. Quality Assurance & Operational Oversight

Audit Precision: Executes meticulous weekly QA inspections, ensuring that post-repair work meets or exceeds industry and safety standards.
Administrative Rigor: Maintains impeccable training records, attendance tracking, and compliance documentation.
Event Coordination: Manages logistics for large-scale technical events (e.g., Maintenance Roadeos) to showcase and benchmark departmental excellence.

Job Qualification Testing:
Applicants will need to perform the following in order to qualify for the role:

Written Assessment: Candidates must achieve a score of 80% or higher to advance.
Hands-On Assessment: Candidates must successfully pass all sections to move forward to the presentation phase. If a candidate fails one section, they will be allowed one retest within six (6) months. If unsuccessful after the retest, the candidate will need to reapply when the position is reposted.
15-Minute Presentation: Candidates will deliver a presentation to a three-person panel on a topic of their choosing. Evaluation will focus on:
- Clarity and organization of the material
- Effectiveness of communication
- Ability to engage the audience and overall instructional quality

Requirements:

Possession of (or within 12 months) ASE Transit Bus certifications and a Class A CDL with Passenger.
Comfort working in open garage environments (varying temperatures/fumes) and the physical stamina for climbing, kneeling, and standing during instructional blocks.
Ability to travel between regional divisions (Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Glens Falls).

Compensation:
$44.29/hour Top Rate

Benefits:
CDTA offers medical, dental and vision coverage along with a pension plan, life insurance coverage and paid time off.

*This is a Union environment in association with the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1321

At CDTA, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CDTA believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

This is a full time position

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* Do you have 2-3 years mechanic experience (bus and or truck preferred) and/or a two-year technical degree in mechanics? * Do you have a High School Diploma/GED? * Do you have at least 2 years of driving experience with a Class D License? * Do you have a clean driving record with no major moving violations? * Please provide your license number * Have you ever been convicted of or pled no contest to a felony or a serious misdemeanor? (In California, misdemeanor convictions for marijuana-related offenses that are more than two years old need not be listed.) If yes, list dates and details (a conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment) * Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, when and for what offense? (You may omit convictions that have been sealed, expunged, or legally erased.) (You will not be automatically denied employment on the grounds of a criminal conviction. Each case will be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.) * Do you have a family member(s), relative(s), significant other or member of your household working for CDTA? If yes, please provide their name. * Have you previously been employed with CDTA? If yes, please provide dates. * If you are hired can you present proof of your legal right to work in the United States? * Do you now, or will you in the future, require our sponsorship for employment-based visa status?