Aviation Trades Instructor - WFD

Craven Community College; Havelock (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Community College seeks a Workforce Development Aviation Trades Instructor to provide classroom, laboratory, and hands-on instruction across aviation maintenance, aerospace manufacturing, fabrication, composites, avionics, and related trades. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and industry-aligned training for students, transitioning service members, and job seekers.

The instructor will deliver approved curricula, supervise labs, evaluate student progress, and collaborate with industry

Qualifications

• Requires an associate degree in aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial technology, engineering technology, or closely related field.
• Three years of hands-on experience in aviation/aerospace domains such as aircraft maintenance, structures, sheet metal, avionics, aerospace manufacturing, composites, or defense operations.
• Industry-recognized credentials (SME, NCCER, OSHA, Lean Six Sigma, NIMS, FAA, or equivalent) or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Teaches aviation trades, aircraft structures, aerospace manufacturing, fabrication, composites, avionics, basic electrical systems, blueprint reading, tooling, quality, industrial safety, and related workforce development courses in classroom and laboratory environments
• Delivers engaging, hands-on instruction using demonstrations, simulations, shop activities, and project-based learning
• Prepares students for careers supporting aviation maintenance, defense manufacturing, aerospace production, depot maintenance, and advanced manufacturing operations
• Delivers approved curriculum that aligns with industry standards, employer requirements, military workforce initiatives, and nationally recognized credentials when applicable
• Supervises laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with safety procedures, OSHA standards, and College policies
• Demonstrates proper use of hand tools, precision measuring equipment, power tools, shop equipment, and industry-specific tooling
• Evaluates student knowledge and technical skill development through written assessments, practical demonstrations, and performance evaluations
• Maintains accurate student attendance, grades, competency records, and required documentation
• Collaborates with workforce development staff, industry partners, military stakeholders, and subject matter experts to ensure curriculum remains current with evolving technologies and workforce needs
• Participates in curriculum updates, program development, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Assists with student recruitment, outreach events, employer engagement activities, career exploration events, and workforce development initiatives
• Assists in maintaining classrooms, laboratories, training aids, shop equipment, tooling, and instructional materials
• Supports onboarding, mentoring, and training of new instructors as assigned
• Promotes professionalism, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and workplace expectations throughout instruction
• Participates in appropriate committees and task forces as assigned
• Performs other job-related duties and projects as assigned in support of the College’s mission, core values and goals

Skills

Subject matter expertise

Troubleshooting

Planning & organization

MS Office

Performance assessment

Attention to detail

Teamwork & customer focus

Education

Associate’s degree in Aviation/Engineering Tech

Job description

This is a 12-month position. The Workforce Development Aviation Trades Instructor provides classroom, laboratory, and hands‑on instruction supporting aviation maintenance, aerospace manufacturing, aircraft structures, fabrication, composites, avionics, industrial safety, quality systems, and defense manufacturing programs. This position prepares students, transitioning service members, incumbent workers, and job seekers with the technical knowledge, hands‑on skills, and professional behaviors required for employment within the aviation, aerospace, maritime, and advanced manufacturing industries. The Workforce Development Aviation Trades Instructor develops and delivers industry-responsive training aligned with employer needs while promoting safety, technical excellence, workforce readiness, and continuous improvement.

• Teaches aviation trades, aircraft structures, aerospace manufacturing, fabrication, composites, avionics, basic electrical systems, blueprint reading, tooling, quality, industrial safety, and related workforce development courses in classroom and laboratory environments
• Delivers engaging, hands‑on instruction utilizing demonstrations, simulations, shop activities, and project‑based learning
• Prepares students for careers supporting aviation maintenance, defense manufacturing, aerospace production, depot maintenance, and advanced manufacturing operations
• Delivers approved curriculum that aligns with industry standards, employer requirements, military workforce initiatives, and nationally recognized credentials when applicable
• Supervises laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with safety procedures, OSHA standards, and College policies
• Demonstrates proper use of hand tools, precision measuring equipment, power tools, shop equipment, and industry‑specific tooling
• Evaluates student knowledge and technical skill development through written assessments, practical demonstrations, and performance evaluations
• Maintains accurate student attendance, grades, competency records, and required documentation
• Collaborates with workforce development staff, industry partners, military stakeholders, and subject matter experts to ensure curriculum remains current with evolving technologies and workforce needs
• Participates in curriculum updates, program development, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Assists with student recruitment, outreach events, employer engagement activities, career exploration events, and workforce development initiatives
• Assists in maintaining classrooms, laboratories, training aids, shop equipment, tooling, and instructional materials
• Supports onboarding, mentoring, and training of new instructors as assigned
• Promotes professionalism, teamwork, communication, problem‑solving, and workplace expectations throughout instruction
• Participates in appropriate committees and task forces as assigned
• Performs other job‑related duties and projects as assigned in support of the College’s mission, core values and goals

Associate’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, or closely related technical field from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

Three (3) years’ of hands‑on experience in one or more of the following: aircraft maintenance; aircraft structures; aviation sheet metal; avionics; aerospace, precision or defense manufacturing; composites; industrial maintenance; quality assurance; or production operations.

Industry-recognized credentials (SME, NCCER, OSHA, Lean Six Sigma, NIMS, FAA, or equivalent) or ability to obtain.

Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.

Military aviation maintenance experience.

Fleet Readiness Center (FRC), Department of Defense, or aerospace manufacturing experience.

Experience teaching, training, or mentoring adult learners in a technical, vocational, military, manufacturing, aviation, or workforce development setting, with the ability to translate industry knowledge and hands‑on experience into effective classroom and/or laboratory instruction.

Knowledge

• Adult learning theory, concepts and teaching methodology
• Curriculum design and development
• Knowledge of college programs, services and procedures relating to workforce development program
• Methods and techniques of program marketing and publicity
• Knowledge of aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, fabrication, industrial safety and quality systems
• Knowledge of OSHA safety practices and safe laboratory procedures
• Knowledge of recordkeeping and report preparation

Skills

• Demonstrates a level of expertise on subject matter that coincides with courses instructing
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills
• Proficiency in planning, organization, communication, training, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in technological systems as they apply to instruction and administrative needs, including Microsoft Office
• Competency in monitoring/assessing the performance of self, other individuals and programs to make improvements or take corrective action
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Works effectively in a team environment with a customer service focus

Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, engineering drawings, specifications and work instructions
• Ability to mentor and motivate adult learners
• Ability to organize classroom and laboratory instruction
• Ability to maintain a safe learning environment
• Ability to analyze technical information and communicate complex concepts effectively
• Maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Ability to analyze and solve problems
• Ability to handle confidential information with absolute discretion
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse workforce, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities, and socioeconomic levels