Facilities Trades Instructor

Lakeshore Sport and Fitness; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakeshore Sport and Fitness is seeking a skilled maintenance professional to teach and mentor technicians in a busy, historic facility. The role focuses on hands‑on training across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall, painting, and general building maintenance while integrating best practices and safety.

You will coach technicians in real‑world situations, develop simple training materials and SOPs, onboard new staff, and help create the next generation of exceptional maintenance

Qualifications

• 5+ years in commercial facilities maintenance or skilled trades.
• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, or training others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patient, encouraging, and passionate about helping others succeed.
• Comfortable working in an older building with evolving challenges.

Responsibilities

• Teach practical skills across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall, painting, and general building maintenance.
• Review technicians' work on PMs, work orders, repairs and troubleshooting.
• Coach and mentor maintenance technicians on the job.
• Develop training materials, SOPs, and hands-on exercises.
• Onboard and train new maintenance employees.
• Evaluate technician skill levels and identify growth opportunities.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and proper use of tools.
• Share industry best practices and foster continuous learning.
• Assist with facility improvement projects and repairs.
• Maintain high standards for craftsmanship, safety, and professionalism.

Skills

HVAC

Plumbing

Electrical

Carpentry

Drywall

Painting

Building systems

Teaching/mentoring

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Trade school or vocational instructor experience

Tools

Building automation

OSHA/CMRT/CMRP certifications

Job description

Help Maintain Great Buildings While Developing Great Technicians

We're looking for a skilled maintenance professional who loves teaching just as much as troubleshooting.

Our maintenance team keeps a busy, historic facility operating every day. From preventive maintenance and work orders to repairing aging building systems and tackling unexpected challenges, no two days are ever the same. We need someone who not only has strong technical skills but also enjoys sharing their knowledge with others.

Whether you've taught at a trade school, trained apprentices, mentored technicians on the job, or simply have a passion for helping others grow, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

You’ll work alongside our maintenance team, coaching technicians in real-world situations while helping maintain a complex commercial facility. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll demonstrate best practices, build technical skills, and help create the next generation of exceptional maintenance professionals.

What You’ll Do

• Teach practical skills including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, drywall, mechanical systems, and general building maintenance.
• Review technicians work on preventive maintenance, work orders, repairs, and troubleshooting across the facility.
• Coach and mentor maintenance technicians while working side by side in the field.
• Turn everyday maintenance work into learning opportunities for the team.
• Develop simple training materials, standard operating procedures, and hands‑on learning exercises.
• Help onboard and train new maintenance employees.
• Evaluate technician skill levels and identify opportunities for growth.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and proper use of tools and equipment.
• Share industry best practices and encourage continuous learning.
• Assist with facility improvement projects and repairs throughout the property.
• Help maintain high standards for craftsmanship, safety, and professionalism.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commercial facilities maintenance or one or more skilled trades.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall, painting, and general building systems.
• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, or training others, either formally or informally.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patient, encouraging, and passionate about helping others succeed.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities.
• Comfortable working in an older building where every day brings new challenges.
• Self‑motivated, adaptable, and team oriented.

Preferred Experience

• Trade school or vocational instructor
• Union apprenticeship trainer
• Technical education or workforce development
• Commercial facilities maintenance
• Hospitality, recreation, or club maintenance
• Building automation or mechanical systems
• CMRT, CMRP, OSHA, or trade certifications

What Success Looks Like

• Maintenance technicians become more confident and capable across multiple trades.
• Work orders are completed safely, efficiently, and with high‑quality workmanship.
• Preventive maintenance is completed consistently, reducing equipment failures.
• Team members continuously develop new technical skills.
• Knowledge is shared openly, creating a culture of learning and craftsmanship.
• Our buildings remain safe, reliable, and well maintained despite the challenges of an aging facility.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a maintenance team that takes pride in solving problems and keeping a busy facility operating at its best. Every day presents something different, and you’ll have the opportunity to use your experience not only to repair buildings but also to develop the people who maintain them.

If you’ve reached the point in your career where your greatest satisfaction comes from helping others master the trades, we’d love to meet you.