Woodshop Instructor & Facilities Maintenance Technician

CENTER FOR VETERANS ISSUES INC; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Veterans Issues, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Assistant / Woodshop Instructor in Milwaukee, WI. The role is about 50% facilities maintenance and 50% woodshop teaching, helping veterans with repairs, turnovers, and safety.

You will lead woodworking classes, demonstrate tool safety, and guide veterans through projects while maintaining a safe, supportive environment and a well-organized shop.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in maintenance, carpentry, woodworking, construction, facilities, or another skilled trade.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate—and teach others to operate—common woodworking tools and equipment.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, painting, mechanical systems, minor plumbing/electrical work, and preventive maintenance.
• Patience and the ability to teach skills step-step to people with different learning styles and abilities.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, dependability, and a serious commitment to safety.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with Veterans from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Comfort using smartphones, tablets, computers, and electronic work-order systems.

Responsibilities

• Complete repairs, preventive maintenance, inspections, work orders, and facility projects.
• Assist with apartment and residential room turnovers.
• Perform painting, carpentry, minor plumbing and electrical work, landscaping, and general facility upkeep.
• Identify and promptly address safety hazards and maintenance concerns.
• Track and complete work orders using Buildium.
• Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas with pride.
• Participate in emergency and on-call maintenance coverage as assigned.
• Develop and lead engaging woodworking classes for Veterans of varying experience and ability levels.
• Teach the safe use of hand tools, power tools, stationary equipment, materials, finishes, and basic woodworking techniques.
• Create individual and group projects that build practical skills, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence.
• Provide clear demonstrations and patient, hands-on coaching.
• Use Veteran-centered, trauma-informed approaches that emphasize dignity, choice, strengths, and achievement.
• Ensure every participant completes safety orientation and demonstrates competency before independently operating equipment.
• Find meaningful ways to showcase completed projects and celebrate Veteran achievement.
• Maintain a clean, organized, accessible, and secure woodshop.
• Inspect equipment routinely and immediately remove unsafe equipment from service.
• Consistently enforce PPE, machine guarding, ventilation, housekeeping, emergency shutoff, and equipment safety requirements.
• Maintain required safety, inspection, inventory, and incident records.
• Stop unsafe activity immediately and appropriately respond to injuries, near misses, or other safety concerns.
• Manage materials and supplies responsibly while minimizing waste.
• You’ll be successful when: 90%+ of tasks completed on time and 95%+ PMs completed as required.

Skills

Woodworking

Carpentry

Maintenance

Safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Buildium

Job description

Center for Veterans Issues, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Maintenance Assistant / Woodshop Instructor in Milwaukee, WI. The role is about 50% facilities maintenance and 50% woodshop teaching, helping veterans with repairs, turnovers, and safety.

You will lead woodworking classes, demonstrate tool safety, and guide veterans through projects while maintaining a safe, supportive environment and a well-organized shop.