Craft Instructor

Kleo Community Life Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

KLEO Community Life Center in Chicago seeks a qualified Craft Instructor to lead vocational training across building trades, solar PV installation, and clean energy concepts. The role targets equity-eligible participants and prepares them for NCCER and NABCEP certifications through hands-on instruction and rigorous assessments.

You will ensure safety leadership, deliver accredited curricula, mentor diverse learners, and support program growth through community outreach and labor market alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field preferred.
• Certified Instructor for NCCER or TradesFutures curricula.
• NABCEP PV Associate credential or higher preferred.
• OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer.
• Current First Aid and CPR instructor certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver technical curricula for building trades, solar PV, and system design.
• Safety leadership as training site safety officer with OSHA certifications.
• Design and implement hands-on labs for installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Provide tutoring for industry math including Solar calculations.
• Administer tests and track attendance and performance in state databases.
• Mentor EJ and returning citizens toward entry-level roles.
• Participate in job fairs and community outreach.

Skills

Firm environment enforcement

Instructional technology

Oral and written communication

Team collaboration

MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Project

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field

NCCER or TradesFutures instructor credentials

OSHA Outreach Trainer

First Aid & CPR instructor certification

NABCEP PV Associate credential or higher

Tools

NCCER

TradesFutures

Job description

Position Overview

KLEO Community Family Life Center (KLEO) is seeking a qualified and experienced individual to serve as the Craft Instructor. This role will lead the vocational training initiatives under KLEO’s Workforce Development Programs, and is responsible for delivering standardized, hands‑on instruction in both traditional construction, solar panel installation, and clean energy sectors for the TradeUP and Diverse Energy Workforce Accelerator programs. The primary goal is to equip equity‑eligible participants with technical competence and industry‑recognized certifications—ranging from NCCER Core to NABCEP PV Associate—needed to secure high‑growth employment. The selected individual will uphold the mission and vision of KLEO while supporting excellence and growth across all training initiatives.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Technical Curriculum Delivery: Adapt and facilitate accredited curricula covering foundational building trades, solar PV installation, and system design.
• Safety Leadership: Serve as the primary safety officer for training sites, providing mandatory OSHA 10 or 30‑Hour Construction and First Aid/CPR certifications.
• Applied Lab Instruction: Design and implement hands‑on labs where participants practice installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting technical systems while mastering the safe use of power tools and rigging.
• Academic Support: Provide one‑on‑one or group tutoring for industry‑specific math, including Supplemental Shop Math and solar electrical calculations.
• Performance Evaluation: Administer written and performance tests to ensure all participants achieve a minimum 70% passing grade on key technical modules.
• Compliance Documentation: Maintain timely and accurate records of attendance, module completions, assessments, and participant performance profiles in state‑mandated databases (e.g., NCCER and IWRS).
• Professional Mentoring: Provide technical mentoring to participants from Environmental Justice (EJ) communities and returning citizens to build professional confidence for entry‑level roles.
• Public Relations: Organize and participate in staff booths at job fairs, community centers, and neighborhood committees.
• Assessment: Oversee Career Assessments and ensure that individualized career plans are created for all participants.
• Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of the organization.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field preferred.

• Certified Instructor for recognized curricula (e.g., NCCER or TradesFutures).
• NABCEP PV Associate credential or higher preferred.
• OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer.
• Current certification as an instructor for First Aid and CPR.

Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in construction or solar PV installation, with prior experience teaching adult learners in a vocational setting.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to maintain a firm environment to ensure compliance with professional industry standards.
• Proficiency in instructional technology and digital databases used for tracking performance data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
• Computer literacy required (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, and data management environments).
• Willingness to travel (Approximately 10%) to support program activities.