Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections seeks a Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor to lead refrigeration training at SCI Laurel Highlands. You will guide inmates through hands-on work and in-class lessons, building practical skills and safety awareness.

You will supervise inmate crews, manage tools and materials, document progress, and support refrigeration work orders to keep facility operations running smoothly.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in repair/servicing refrigeration or air conditioning systems; or
• Approved apprenticeship in refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade; or
• Equivalent experience including one year journey level work in refrigeration/AC mechanic trade.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom and on-the-job instruction for installation, repair, inspection, and maintenance of refrigeration systems and equipment.
• Direct inmate work crews, assign daily schedules, and inspect work for quality and accuracy.
• Issue, track, and inventory tools and materials and conduct searches to account for items.
• Identify needed materials/tools and submit purchase requests as required.
• Maintain detailed records of inmate training, attendance, and progress.

Skills

Teaching

Supervision

Documentation

Facility operations

Education

Apprenticeship in refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade

Job description

Become a Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and step into a role where your trade expertise drives meaningful achievement. You will guide inmates at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Laurel Highlands through hands‑on refrigeration training that builds confidence and practical skill. This position allows you to apply your technical strengths while supporting both learning and essential facility operations. Your leadership inspires progress, sharpens ability, and encourages steady development every day.

This position centers on teaching refrigeration mechanic skills and supervising inmates during classroom instruction and hands‑on work. You oversee training activities, monitor progress, and support the completion of refrigeration work across the facility. As a Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Training Instruction:Provide classroom and on‑the‑job teaching that covers installation, repair, inspection, and maintenance of refrigeration systems and equipment
• Work Supervision:Direct inmate work crews, assign daily schedules, and inspect completed work for accuracy and quality
• Tool Management:Issue, track, and inventory tools and materials and conduct searches to account for all items
• Material Planning:Identify needed materials and tools for refrigeration work assignments and submit purchase requests as required
• Progress Documentation:Maintain detailed records of inmate training, attendance, work assignments, and overall progress
• Operational Support:Perform related duties that align with facility needs and assist with refrigeration work orders as required

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $53,036.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of experience in the repair and servicing of refrigeration systems or air conditioning systems; or
• Completion of an approved apprenticeship in the refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes one year of journey level work in the refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade.

Special Requirements:

• You must be in possession of an active Universal Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Certificate issued by an approved provider.

Other Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this posting. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.