Associate Instructor - Vocational Focus

Capitol Region Education Council; Coltville (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) seeks an Associate Instructor with a vocational focus at River Street School in Windsor, CT. You will support students in classroom and vocational settings, delivering instruction, coaching, and data-driven progress toward employment-readiness.

Under supervision, collaborate with teachers and vocational staff, implement IEP goals, and promote safe, inclusive learning environments. A Bachelor's degree is required; experience with disabilities is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience working with students with disabilities and/or autism in school and community settings preferred.
• Experience with experiential, activity-based, or vocational learning preferred.
• Demonstrate dedication to all learners, especially those who have been historically marginalized.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong professional learning and growth.
• Support positive learning environments that foster individual and collaborative learning.
• Build strong relationships with students, peers, families, and community partners.
• Support personalized learning experiences and student agency.
• Assist with the use of technology to support instruction and professional responsibilities (e.g., learning platforms, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).

Responsibilities

• Provide small-group and individual instruction under the direction of classroom teachers, intervention coordinators, or vocational staff.
• Reinforce instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, computer skills, and other academic or functional skill areas.
• Assist with classroom preparation, instructional materials, and strategies aligned to individual student needs.
• Collect, track, and document student data related to academic, behavioral, and vocational goals.
• Support administration of state, district, and school assessments.
• Contribute to the IEP process and serve as a resource to evaluation teams as appropriate.

Skills

Student support

Disabilities experience

Vocational instruction

Collaboration

Professional learning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Job description

Associate Instructor - Vocational Focus - JOB ID# 13846

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Associate Instructor
• Date Posted: 9/28/2026
• Location: River Street School - Windsor
• Closing Date: 10/16/2026

Associate Instructor, Vocational focus
River Street School - Windsor, CT

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK�12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

POSITION SUMMARY Under the supervision of school administration, the vocational team leader, or designee, the Associate Instructor — Vocational Focus supports students in both classroom and vocational settings. This position provides instructional, behavioral, and job‑coaching support to assist students in developing academic, vocational, and life skills. The goal of the vocational program is to increase students' employability through the development of soft skills, work habits, independence, and perseverance necessary for success in school, community, and future employment settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional & Student Support

• Support daily school operations including arrival, dismissal, lunch coverage, classroom coverage, and other non-instructional duties as needed.
• Provide small-group and individual instruction under the direction of classroom teachers, intervention coordinators, or vocational staff.
• Reinforce instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, computer skills, and other academic or functional skill areas.
• Assist with classroom preparation, instructional materials, and strategies aligned to individual student needs.
• Collect, track, and document student data related to academic, behavioral, and vocational goals.
• Support administration of state, district, and school assessments.
• Contribute to the IEP process and serve as a resource to evaluation teams as appropriate.

Vocational & Community-Based Instruction

• Supervise, instruct, and provide job coaching to students participating in vocational experiences on campus and at community work sites.
• Provide instruction in simulated and real-world environments to promote transferable employment skills.
• Drive students to community-based vocational and employment experiences as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community businesses and partners to support employment opportunities.
• Measure and evaluate student progress toward vocational and employment objectives.

Behavioral & Safety Support

• Implement and support student behavior plans and perform interventions as needed.
• Assist with classroom and work-site behavior management to ensure safe, orderly, and inclusive environments.
• Implement emergency interventions following school- or program‑approved procedures.
• Promote student independence while maintaining dignity and respect for all learners.
• Accompany and supervise students on field trips and community activities, ensuring safety and engagement.

Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with classroom teachers, specialists, vocational staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Assist guidance counselors, pupil services staff, or administration as needed.
• Model effective strategies and support consistency in practice among Associate Instructors when appropriate.
• Comply with all CREC policies, procedures, and required trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience working with students with disabilities and/or autism in school and community settings preferred.
• Experience with experiential, activity-based, or vocational learning preferred.
• Demonstrate dedication to all learners, especially those who have been historically marginalized.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong professional learning and growth.
• Support positive learning environments that foster individual and collaborative learning.
• Build strong relationships with students, peers, families, and community partners.
• Support personalized learning experiences and student agency.
• Assist with the use of technology to support instruction and professional responsibilities (e.g., learning platforms, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Valid motor vehicle operator's license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Passenger Endorsement (A) or Public Safety License (PSL), or Massachusetts equivalent, as required.
• Ability to transport students to community-based experiences.
• Successful completion of Safety Care� training without restrictions.
• Required CREC trainings including CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and DCF Mandated Reporter training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? CREC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and professional growth.

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability & Short-Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution (if applicable)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post-Deductible if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive paid time off package
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bereavement leave & Religious holidays
• Credit Union access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities, including two fully paid courses each year through CREC University
• Tuition discounts through CREC's partnership with Springfield College

Benefits are based on terms and conditions of employment and may vary by position, job classification, and collective bargaining agreement.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to meetings, trainings, professional learning opportunities, and community-based student experiences as required.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions that harm people from systematically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, including but not limited to race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

Employment Verification with E-Verify

CREC PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

Notice: Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Important: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).