Instructional Assistant (Critical Environments)

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Per Scholas is seeking a Critical Facilities Technician Instructor Assistant to join our National Training Team. The ideal candidate is a technically strong, safety-minded professional with experience in data center environments who can support the lead instructor in delivering structured, high-quality training.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Assist the Critical Facility Instructor in delivering instructor-led training that prepares students for entry-level to mid-level careers as Critical Facilities Technicians/Engineers in data center environments.
• Assist the instructor in teaching foundational and intermediate technical concepts, including:
• Electrical distribution systems (3-phase power, switchgear, PDUs)
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
• Backup generators and Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
• Cooling systems (CRAC/CRAH, chillers, hydronic loops, coolant distribution units)
• Building Management Systems (BMS) and DCIM platforms
• Assist in the facilitated hands-on lab exercises involving electrical panels, monitoring simulations, and mechanical systems while enforcing OSHA and NFPA-aligned safety practices.
• Assist in the evaluation of student troubleshooting performance using scenario-based diagnostics and structured performance checklists.
• Provide students with relevant supplemental resources for deeper learning on technical systems, industry certifications, and best practices.
• Dedicate capacity (e.g., 10% of non-instructional time) to professional development, technical upskilling, curriculum modernization, and contributing to the product's retrospective/evaluation cycle.
• Work closely with the instructional and curriculum development teams to provide feedback on lab effectiveness, learner pain points, and content clarity.
• Maintain and update Salesforce and/or our LMS with student grades, certification scores, attendance, and performance notes.
• Support and maintain training curricula, syllabi, lesson plans, and classroom materials, identifying areas for improvement based on delivery experience.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO US

• Instructional Skill Sets
• 2-5+ years of working in data centers as a Critical Facility Engineer/Technician
• 1-3 years of instructional skills teaching technical subjects to technicians and operators.
• Strong technical background; able to grasp highly technical subject matter and effectively support its conveyance to learners during instruction and lab sessions
• Ability to respond clearly to live digital conversations via Zoom or in-person training environments
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Experience teaching adult learners in structured training environments preferred
• Required Skill Sets
• Technical proficiency in the following areas:
• Electrical systems and power distribution
• UPS and backup power systems
• Industrial HVAC or cooling systems
• Building monitoring or controls systems
• Demonstrated understanding of industrial or mission-critical safety standards (OSHA, NFPA 70E, LOTO procedures)
• Ability to guide learners through troubleshooting scenarios in a structured and safety-conscious manner
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining technical currency in evolving infrastructure technologies
• Demonstrated fluency in utilizing Generative AI tools (e.g., Google Gemini) for instructional prep, assessment, and to model real-world professional use in the technical domain
• Preferred Skill Sets
• Significant prior experience working in data centers, critical facilities, or industrial maintenance environments
• Experience with SCADA, BMS, or DCIM monitoring systems
• Industry certifications such as:
• OSHA 10 or 30 (General Industry)
• NFPA 70E training
• Electrical, HVAC, or Maintenance certifications
• Experience delivering competency-based or hands-on technical training programs
• Professional Qualifications
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (or equivalent industry experience)
• Strong technical aptitude (Google Workspace, LMS platforms, Zoom, project management tools)
• Excellent written communication, presentation, and classroom management skills
• Strong evaluation and data management skills
• Ability to interpret technical documentation including schematics, P&IDs, and single-line diagrams
• Personal Characteristics
• You thrive in a creative, inventive, fast-paced startup environment with people who are passionate about their work and mission.
• You are data-driven, result-oriented, and a forward-looking catalyst for social change.
• You have a collaborative and flexible work style. You’re excited to work cross-functionally with other departments and independently.
• You are a life-long learner.
• You are an effective communicator with strong oral and written skills.
• You are tech-savvy and learn new tools quickly.
• You are detail-oriented, with exceptional organizational management skills.
• You have strong public speaking and interpersonal skills. You are a motivator who is personable, approachable, and socially engaging. You can cultivate relationships and build rapport quickly and authentically with people from various professional and cultural backgrounds.
• You are adept at managing your time and balancing multiple projects and tasks.
• You stand behind our mission, believing that individuals from any community should have access to well-paying career positions and that talent should be recognized and recruited from diverse sources.

COMPENSATION

For this role specifically, we are targeting a hourly rate rate of $30/hr. Final compensation may vary based on several factors including geographic location, experience, and alignment with qualifications.