Job Title: Skilled Trades Instructor

Position Reports to: Program Coordinator

Overall Function: The Skilled Trades Instructor is a part-time contract position, 12 weeks twice a year, for our construction training program in Westover, WV. The Skilled Trades Instructor is responsible for planning and implementing an appropriate instructional program in a learning environment that teaches students tool and building basics. Expertise in carpentry, electrical, and/or plumbing trades (or any combination) is required and teaching experience preferred.

Organization Description

West Virginia Women Work, a statewide 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization founded in 2000, supports and advocates for the education, employment, and economic equity for all women. Over 20 years ago WVWW began offering a tuition-free skilled trades training program, Step Up for Women, at our headquarters office in Morgantown and later expanded to include our Charleston location. Our sites are staffed by a staff with over 25 years of combined experience specializing in placing women in nontraditional occupations and we’re the only organization in the state recognized by the Dept. of Labor to offer “Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs.” More information can be found at wvwomenwork.org.

Primary Responsibilities

• plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences

• establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities

• prepare building site and classroom for class activities

• provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities

• identify and select different instructional resources and methods to meet students’ varying needs

• instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment

• use relevant technology to support instruction

• observe and evaluate student’s performance and development

• assign and grade classwork, homework, tests, and assignments

• provide appropriate feedback on work

• encourage and monitor the progress of individual students

• manage student behavior in the classroom by enforcing rules and procedures outlined in the Self-Eliminating Demerit System

• counseling students with academic problems and providing student encouragement

• participate in extracurricular activities such as student orientations, student organizations, and graduation ceremonies

• participate in meetings pertaining to the maintenance and advancement of the training program

• communicate necessary information regularly to students and staff regarding student progress and student needs

• keep up to date with developments in subject area, teaching resources and methods and make relevant changes to instructional plans and activities

General Expectations

• Spend most of the class time doing hands-on learning. Spend three hours or less each week reviewing the course books. Assign reading at home and spend class time reviewing end-of-chapter and student questions.

• Class time is to take place outdoors, including book review, as much as possible. Inclement weather does not constitute holding classes indoors. Only risk of injury warrants indoor classes.

Topic Requirements

• Safety- Before beginning each portion of the program (carpentry, electrical wiring, and plumbing) teach two hours of specialized safety information pertaining to that topic prior to any hands-on coursework.

• Carpentry- Curriculum should include a practice project like building picnic tables or saw horses, building/project planning with the class, creating a materials list, standard wood sizes, Pythagorean theorem, 3 4 5 methods for squaring, residential building practices and materials, rough framing, roofing, exterior siding, hanging doors, building stairs, reading a tape measure, hand and power tools, personal protective equipment, subject math, etc.

• Electrical- basic electrical terminology and vocabulary, hand and power tools, types of wire and uses, types of receptacles, types of fixtures, one-way and two-way switches (three- and four-way switches for more advanced students), subject math, etc.

• Plumbing- basic plumbing terminology and vocabulary, hand and power tools, types of materials used and their purpose, different methods of plumbing, subject math, etc.

Application Instructions:

Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to carol@wvwomenwork.org or mailed to WV Women Work, Attn: Carol Phillips, 201 New Jersey Street, Morgantown, WV 26501.

Women and women of color are strongly encouraged to apply. WV Women Work is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.