Training Specialist - Dollywood Parks & Resorts - Full Time Year Round

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating. We do this every day across all properties, all located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts, and they will tell you this place is different. It’s not a difference that you can touch or see - it’s a difference you can feel. We are seeking a Training Specialist who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while bringing families closer together and caring deeply about our brand. This person also brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity and genuine hospitality to the lives of our guests.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. This individual is driven to create meaningful experiences for our hosts, guests, and community while ensuring the success and profitability of our unique offerings. They also bring fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity, and genuine hospitality to their life and work. We seek an individual who can bring the vision of the resorts to life. The right Training Specialist checklist will include equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, detail driver, mentor, and motivator.

The Training Specialist will provide training to Hosts at all Dollywood Company properties with focus on new hire orientation, leadership development, technology skill development, safety, and in other areas of identified need. This person will also work closely with other Training team members to develop and implement all necessary training projects as assigned. The Training Specialist will also be responsible for scheduling and execution of development programs and reporting of relevant data for all Dollywood Company Properties. 

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Summary of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Teach a variety of training classes using best practices and with high engagement
• Support development of training content and materials
• Work closely with other trainers to provide a consistent, effective training product
• Seek ways to constantly improve training content and product
• Develop tracking tools to establish training trends and outcomes
• Maintain a well-stocked and organized classroom environment at various locations
• Support Hosts’ needs in the computer labs in various locations
• Provide primary administrative support to the Training and Development Team and Organizational Development Manager(s)
• Oversee all aspects of the New Hire Orientation (NHO) or Leadership Development experience
• Oversee NHO or Leadership Development follow up and reporting
• Works occasionally alongside front-line Hosts to coach on Core Values and identify training needs
• Schedules trainings, coordinates training calendars, prepares and manages training and computer lab materials
• Assist in the collection and dissemination of training data to relevant teams
• Serve as Computer Lab manager for the University Lab and Learning Legacy Computer Labs and be responsible for scheduling and reserving the training space
• Oversee content, update and distribute related training materials
• Inventory and order required training and functional supplies (including food purchasing/coordinating)
• Organize and maintain calendars for reserving HR meeting space and training equipment
• Adhere to annual budgets
• Assist with all HR processes as needed
• Liaison with teams to ensure a positive, engaging and successful New Hire experience or Leadership Development

Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time

Education and Experience Required

• Minimum 18 years of age
• College degree or practical experience required
• Theme Park and/or teaching experience preferred
• Strong working knowledge and ability to teach common computer software preferred (e.g. scheduling, budgeting, spreadsheet, word processing, presentation)
• Excellent oral presentation & writing skills
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment offer background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees
• Must reflect Dollywood’s image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in work
• Must be self-motivated and disciplined
• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information
• Must be committed to continuous improvement
• Must maintain a professional appearance with good personal hygiene
• Must promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers
• Must be productive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines
• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills
• Must show appreciation of others
• Able to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflicts
• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information
• Able to perform duties consistently with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests
• Able to be flexible and handle frequent changes in priorities
• Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide with accuracy
• Able to communicate effectively using standard English grammar and punctuation
• Able to tolerate various temperatures while working indoors and outdoors
• Able to meet the physical demands of the job
• Must have manual dexterity necessary to complete all job duties
• Able to sit and/or stand for long/short periods
• Able to work outdoors

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.