Welding Teacher (CTE)

East St Louis School District 189; East St. Louis (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health, vision, dental

IMRF/TRS retirement

Life insurance $50,000

Family coverage options

Job summary

East St Louis Senior High School seeks a Welding Instructor (CTE) to lead hands-on welding instruction, safety protocols, and industry-aligned curriculum. The role focuses on preparing students for high-demand manufacturing careers with emphasis on licensure readiness and real‑world skills.

You will mentor students in welding processes (MIG, TIG, SMAW) and blueprint reading, while coordinating with staff, parents, and industry partners to support career pathways in welding and fabrication.

Qualifications

• Requires Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) or willingness to apply for licensure.
• 60 semester hours of college coursework or 2,000 welding hours as a baseline.
• Provisional ELS-CTEP option available with 8,000 hours of welding experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver curriculum covering thermal cutting, joint design, and metallurgy.
• Maintain a safe shop environment adhering to OSHA and AWS standards.
• Guide students toward earning industry credentials and licensure.
• Manage inventory and routine maintenance on welding machines and equipment.
• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned to Illinois standards and industry requirements.
• Prepare students for state licensing exams and practical assessments.
• Integrate work-based learning, field trips, and guest speakers.
• Record attendance, performance, and licensing documentation.
• Communicate student progress with parents and guardians.
• Support student career planning and resume building.

Skills

AWS certifications

Welding processes

Communication skills

Basic computer literacy

Safety standards

Instructional methods

Classroom management

Student assessment

Education

60 semester hours

2000 hours in welding

High School Diploma or equivalent

8000 hours in welding

Tools

Plasma cutters

Grinders

Job description

Position Type

Position Type: District and School Support - Certified/ CTE Cooperative Education Program Teacher

Date Posted: 5/6/2026

Location: East St. Louis Senior High School

Date Available: 07/01/2026

TITLE: Welding Instructor (CTE) CLASSIFICATION: Certified

FLSA: Exempt DEPARTMENT:High School

SALARY:$48,000 - $113,997 WORK YEAR: 180 days

Benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for employee medical, vision, and dental insurance, IMRF/TRS retirement, $ 50,000 life insurance policy, and family, spouse, and dependent coverage options.

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a skilled industry professional to transition their expertise into the classroom. As a CTE Welding Instructor, you will prepare students for high-demand careers in manufacturing and fabrication. You will lead hands‑on instruction in various welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW), safety protocols, and blueprint reading.

Under the direction of the Principal, the Welding Teacher provides specialized instruction and hands‑on training in welding and professional practices aligned to state licensure and industry standards. The teacher will prepare students for certification and employment in the welding profession. This includes teaching technical skills, safety procedures, sanitation, customer service, and business practices. The teacher is responsible for planning lessons, managing the classroom/lab, and maintaining a learning environment that fosters student success. The teacher will also collaborate with parents/guardians, industry professionals, and district staff to support student learning and career development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

To comply with state regulations, candidates must meetone of the following criteria for an Educator License with Stipulations (ELS):

• Education: Minimum of60 semester hours of college coursework (100-level or higher) from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Minimum of2,000 documented hours of work experience in the welding industry.

Option B: ELS-CTEP (Provisional - Industry Expert)

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum of8,000 documented hours (approx. 4 years full‑time) of work experience in the welding industry.

Note: Candidates must be willing to apply for the Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) upon hire. Our HR and CTE departments will assist with the documentation of work hours and the licensure application process.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• CurrentAWS (American Welding Society) certifications (CWI or CWE is a plus).
• Expertise in multiple processes: MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux‑core.
• Strong communication skills and a passion for mentoring young adults.
• Basic computer literacy for grading and attendance tracking.
• State of Illinois requirements for Welding licensure
• Industry safety and sanitation standards (e.g., OSHA, IDFPR)
• Instructional methods appropriate for career and technical education
• Classroom and laboratory management practices
• Student performance evaluation, including practical assessments

Ability to:

• Deliver engaging instruction in both classroom and lab settings
• Prepare students for professional licensure exams
• Monitor and guide student safety and equipment use
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, performance, and licensing requirements
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and community partners
• Work in a team environment with other CTE teachers and staff

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Instruction: Deliver curriculum covering thermal cutting, joint design, and metallurgy.
• Safety Management: Maintain a safe shop environment, ensuring all students adhere to OSHA and AWS standards.
• Certification Prep: Guide students toward earning industry‑recognized credentials.
• Equipment Maintenance: Manage inventory and perform routine maintenance on welding machines, plasma cutters, and grinders.
• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned to Illinois Learning Standards and industry requirements
• Prepare students for state licensing requirements and practical exams
• Integrate work‑based learning opportunities, including field trips and guest speakers
• Ensure a safe and clean learning environment
• Maintain required instructional hours and documentation for licensure
• Participate in IEP meetings and instructional accommodations for diverse learners
• Attend professional development and maintain current industry certifications
• Communicate student progress and conduct with parents/guardians
• Exhibit professionalism, punctuality, and a cooperative attitude
• Support students in job readiness, resume building, and career planning
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Designee

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods in a shop environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working with high‑heat equipment and industrial machinery.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Instructional environment includes classroom, welding lab/shop, and occasional external site visits.