Technical Instructor Trainer — Critical Infrastructure (Contract)

Department:            Instructor Development & Quality Assurance (IDQA)

Position:                 Technical Instructor Trainer — Critical Infrastructure (Contract)

Reports to:              Director, IT Technology Instructor Development

Location:                National, with occasional travel to on-premises training locations

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Per Scholas is seeking an experienced, technically grounded Contract Technical Instructor Trainer to support instructor readiness and quality assurance for the launch of our Critical Infrastructure products. This role sits within the Instructor Development & Quality Assurance (IDQA) team and is focused on Train-the-Trainer enablement, instructional readiness, and skills validation.

The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on technical expertise in critical facilities or industrial environments, paired with proven experience training instructors, technicians, or facilitators in high-stakes, lab-based learning environments. You will ensure that instructors are fully prepared to deliver the training product  safely, confidently, and consistently throughout the cohort.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Instructor Enablement & Train-the-Trainer (50%)

• Rapidly familiarize yourself with existing Critical Infrastructure training materials, lab guides, tools, and instructional workflows.
• Develop and execute an instructor readiness training  plan that prepares instructors to deliver across multiple modalities, including:
• Physical equipment-based labs
• VR simulation environments
• AI-enabled instructional support tools

• Facilitate structured instructor onboarding, hands-on practice, and guided walkthroughs of all instructional components.

• Train and coach instructors, ensuring they can:
• Safely operate and facilitate all lab components
• Manage common failure scenarios and resets without external technical intervention
• Support learners through errors using growth-mindset, psychologically safe instructional practices
• Facilitate instructor teach-backs, dry runs, and readiness validations prior to cohort launch.

Instructional Readiness Validation & Quality Assurance (30%)

• Design and apply instructor skills validation rubrics aligned to IDQA quality standards, using them to formally assess instructor readiness prior to and during cohort delivery.
• Observe and assess instructor performance in:
• Safety adherence and lab setup
• Troubleshooting, failure recovery and instructional pacing
• Coaching and error mediation during high-friction learning moments

• Conduct structured skills validations to confirm instructors can independently:

• Diagnose and resolve common technical faults

• Reset lab environments safely and efficiently

• Support learners through mistakes using psychologically safe, growth-oriented practices

• Document readiness outcomes, risks, and required follow-ups, escalating critical gaps as needed.

Launch Support & Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Provide short-term launch support during the initial cohort delivery window to ensure a stable launch.
• Establish contingency plans and structured remediation pathways if instructors do not initially meet readiness standards.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO US

Required Skill Sets

• 3+ years of experience in a technical role within critical facilities, industrial systems, or related environments.
• Proven experience training instructors, trainers, or technicians in technical or lab-based environments.
• 2+ years of experience in instructional delivery, trainer enablement, or instructor coaching.
• Ability to support live remote training via platforms such as Zoom, as well as in-person lab environments when required.

Instructional & Train-the-Trainer Experience

• Proven experience training instructors, trainers, or technicians in technical or lab-based environments.
• Experience facilitating train-the-trainer sessions, instructor onboarding, or instructional readiness programs.
• Ability to observe instruction, diagnose instructional gaps, and provide clear, actionable coaching.

Technical & Industrial Expertise

• Electrical & Controls (Priority): A demonstrable understanding of Electrical systems, Instrumentation, and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) logic and troubleshooting.
• Strong working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical systems, sufficient to support instructor-level troubleshooting and lab facilitation.
• A strong safety mindset, with familiarity with industrial safety standards (e.g., OSHA, NFPA).
• Integrated Mechanical Systems: Hands-on experience or deep technical familiarity with:
• Climate & Thermal Management: Industrial HVAC, CRAC/CRAH units (Data Center specific), Chillers, and Cooling Towers.
• Fluid & Hydronic Systems: Pumping systems (VFD-controlled), heat exchangers, hydronic piping loops, and water treatment/filtration systems.
• Material Handling: Industrial conveyor systems, sorters, and motor-driven rollers.
• Facility Infrastructure: Diesel generators, automatic transfer switches (ATS), and basic pneumatic/hydraulic controls.
• Sector Experience: 1-3 years of experience working in or consulting for Critical Facilities (Data Centers) or Advanced Manufacturing environments.

Preferred Skill Sets

• Professional certifications in maintenance-related disciplines (e.g., Electrical, HVAC, or Industrial Safety).
• Experience with virtual labs, AR/VR simulations, or SCORM/xAPI content development.
• Familiarity with competency-based education (CBE) and national credentialing frameworks.

Professional Qualifications

• Industrial Certs (Candidates should hold at least one relevant credential in each category below, or demonstrate equivalent experience);
• SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance): Certified Industry 4.0 Associate (C-101 through C-104: Basic/Advanced Operations, Robotics, and IIoT).
• Certified Industry 4.0 Specialist (Automation Systems, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, or Instrumentation).
• SMRP (Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals): Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT).
• NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills): Industrial Maintenance modules in Electrical Systems, Basic Mechanical, or Hydraulics.
• OSHA 10 or 30 (General Industry) or NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace).

Professional Skills

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to instructors and facilitators.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, launch-oriented environments with tight timelines.
• Strong documentation skills for capturing readiness status, risks, and recommendations.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• You are execution-oriented and comfortable operating in ambiguity during fast-moving launches.
• You bring a calm, confident coaching presence in high-stakes instructional environments.
• You are detail-oriented and proactive about identifying and mitigating instructional risk.
• You believe in Per Scholas’s mission and are motivated by expanding access to high-quality technical training and career pathways.

For this role specifically, the salary range is between $70,000 and $75,000.