School Instructional Staff

General description of the position

A CTECS HVAC instructor is responsible for planning, conducting and assessing instructional activities – to include safety, proper use of tools, math, and all equipment and components related to the HVAC trade.  In addition, the instructor must maintain educational records; inventory and tool control logs; track achievement of desired program outcomes by coordinating and administering tests in accordance with accepted reporting procedures; developing alternative instruction for individualized and independent study. In addition the CTECS HVAC instructor is responsible for educating students on theoretical and performance-based topics related to all aspects of the HVAC and related fields. The CTECS HVAC Program instructor instructs students in the ability to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair components and control circuits for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, plus theory needed to do wiring, testing and repairing on furnaces, compressors, controls, burners and motors; acquire basic background in sheet metal development, drafting, shop basic equipment, metal and fiberglass fabrication of ductwork, warm air heating and ventilation principles and design, field installation of duct systems and mechanical equipment, blueprint interpretation, oxygen-acetylene welding and electric arc welding; and acquire technical knowledge and mechanical skills to install equipment and piping in a residential central air conditioning system.  This includes items such as cycle, calculating cooling loads, using testing and air balancing instruments, wiring, servicing, and repairing of heating and cooling equipment.  The program is designed to meet the related instruction requirements of an S-2 unlimited heating and cooling apprenticeship.  Those skills deemed essential to this course form a cluster of usable skills and technical knowledge much needed in today’s heating and cooling market.

The HVAC department head is an instructional leader who promotes student achievement for all and facilitates the operations of the department. As a Department Head, you are responsible for the duties outlined above, as well as responsibilities related to instructional support, leadership and operations within your department.

Qualifications required, (e.g., education, degrees, certification, licensing, skills, knowledge, abilities, specialized training)

• An S-1 HVAC contractor’s license issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is required at time of application.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant, varied, hands-on HVAC experience.
  • Incumbents in this class must meet the State Board of Education Occupational Subject Endorsement #090 in HVAC requirements to receive an initial educator certificate to teach Vocational Education. A #826 endorsement is required for the HVAC Department Head position or qualify for a Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP).
• High School graduation or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and eight (8) years of employment and/or teaching experience in the subject field.
• Interested candidates for Department Head openings will need a minimum of twelve credits to qualify for the #826 required certification as per SDE Bureau of certification.
  • Experience must encompass all areas specified in the program description in order to effectively teach the approved HVAC curriculum. For a detailed explanation, please reference the HVAC Program Description.
  • Apprentice training, or formal training (specific and affiliated union program training, college or technical institutes) can count up to five years.  Formal training credit should be applied for coursework directly associated with HVAC.  Transcript review should determine the percentage of study time devoted to trade and be applied proportionately.  Two thousand (2,000) hours of apprentice training equals one year based on a letter of completion from the Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL OAT).
  • Combined experience cannot be counted to obtain multiple endorsements.  Requirement is eight years for each subject area endorsement.
• Current OSHA 10- Construction Industry Certification
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
• Connecticut Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with proper endorsements required to operate a CTECS STV with-in first year of employment
• Entry-level computer skills including, Microsoft Office and Google Products
• OSHA Train-the-Trainer (CFR-1926) certification with-in two years of employment
• Preferred candidates will have completed VTE 113, VTE 116 and a Special Education course (approved by CT-SDE).
  • For a list of approved special education courses, please click on this link: CT-SDE Approved SPED Course List
• Knowledge of educational principles, methods and techniques; skill in a particular trade or occupation; teaching ability; ability to work effectively with students; ability to express ideas simply and clearly, orally and in writing.
• Oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to provide instructional support; ability to maintain records and charts; ability to prepare reports.
• Preferred candidates will have experience in teaching or substitute teaching and be able to demonstrate methods of delivering lessons, assessing student knowledge and the use of educational technology. This may include involvement in student/community activities as well as help facilitate district-wide and school specific initiatives.
• Preferred candidates will be familiar with SEL, differentiated instruction, synchronous and asynchronous learning.
• Preferred candidates will have had prior connections to the school culture, i.e. CTEAC Member, WBL Sponsor, Job Shadowing Sponsor, and/or PFO Member.

Supervision Received:  Works under the supervision of a School Principal, and Assistant Principal.

Supervision Exercised: Supervises students in classrooms, laboratories, and CTECS shops as well as on off-campus production sites

Hours / Time Requirements: 188 days per school year, 7 hours daily. Review your bargaining unit contract for more information.

General Statement of Duties

CTECS HVAC Instructors teach courses in the discipline of HVAC technologies. They will be required to develop and design lesson and/or unit plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions utilizing a variety of pedagogical methods, including but not limited to differentiated instruction, fostering building of relationships, etc. Instructors will provide social emotional support in the learning process and ensure student engagement. HVAC instructors provide tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintain classroom records and assess student coursework. HVAC instructors also collaborate and support colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. HVAC Instructors are required to attend periodic building-level and districtwide meetings and professional development.

HVAC instructors are required to meet with business and industry partners in an effort to maintain being current in the trade and to keep apprised to the newest technology, as well as providing feedback to district curriculum teams on modern industry practices to adjust curricula when needed. These relationships also connect the program and students to employment and work-based learning opportunities. For more information regarding this, please review your bargaining unit contract for more information (see link above).

CTECS HVAC instructors educate students on proper safety procedures and competencies that are aligned to the current and relevant NFPA and HVAC-Related ICC body of Codes currently adopted in Connecticut. These codes dictate the adopted practice of installation and maintenance of mechanical systems. Additionally, instructors in the HVAC technology area report to a department head.

In addition to above, trade department heads are responsible for the following:

Instructional Support Responsibilities 

1. Assists with the implementation of the instructional program within the department including supporting substitutes.
2. Assists and monitors in the implementation of the content, aligned to the CTECS district approved materials such as: curriculum, pacing guide, DSA’s, and competency checklists.
3. Models a variety of instructional strategies that accommodate different student backgrounds, cognitive abilities and learning styles.
4. Reviews lesson plans, observes classroom instruction, and provides feedback and support as needed to improve instruction, classroom management, and professional growth.

Leadership Responsibilities 

1. Provides clear expectations regarding policies and procedures utilized in the shop, including but not limited to, uniform, student conduct/discipline, equipment uses, safety compliance, clean-up, and inventory controls.
2. Plans and leads department meetings and PLCs with other departments as well as administration.
3. Serves on committees when requested and as a liaison between the department, administration and central office.
4. Organizes and facilitates the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) in accordance with district guidelines, including the recruitment of appropriate members. Increase and document PAC membership annually. Meetings will be held after school hours.
5. Promotes in industry outreach programs, such as Work-Based Learning (WBL), internships, Skills USA, and job shadowing.
6. Provides school-wide leadership support and recommendations for professional development and direction on effective instruction and programming, including instructional rounds.

Operational Responsibilities 

1. Manages departmental budgets, prepares, and submits OF-95s for orders, repairs, and maintenance. Manage enrollment and retention plans. Ensures that student credentials are attained and tracked in collaboration with district guidelines. Improvement of summative assessments per year.
2. Oversees all Student Workforce activities, such as On/Off campus Production, CTECS Facilities Production, WBL, Internships and job shadowing, ensuring that all district procedures are followed.
3. Completes all required departmental inventory tasks and assists in the removal of outdated instructional materials, including repair of equipment.
4. Ensures that all equipment is properly operational and that all required maintenance and repairs are completed.
5. Ensures all safety training is appropriately completed, required documentation is properly maintained and procedures are followed. Ensures safety within the department; including posting and enforcement of appropriate laboratory safety wear & rules (i.e. uniforms, boots, PPE, etc…).
6. Maintain and submit department records, including trade credentials, student data, and PLC minutes, perform other professional duties as required by the administration.

Working Conditions:

• CTECS HVAC Instructors are required to incorporate an abundance of teaching methods that are often very practical and include hands-on instruction in the classroom.
• Instructors in this technology will be required to model and demonstrate safe work practices prior to facilitation of learning. Instructors may need to stand for long periods of time, lift, climb, bend, twist and repeat the same movements as dictated by the HVAC trade and projects being taught.
• Instructors in this technology area are required to use and properly demonstrate the use of ladder/scaffold, hand and power tools used in the HVAC trade/s will be required.
• CTECS HVAC Instructors will be required to teach in a variety of settings for both theoretical and psychomotor/hands-on training which include, but are not limited to: HVAC lab, theory room, off-campus production sites (construction sites which include residential, commercial, and industrial settings), as also on-campus production sites.
• CTECS HVAC Instructors work on a variety of sites to compliment real-world applications in an effort to bolster curriculum.
  • These sites include working with established businesses, and construction sites, to connect their students with employment opportunities and resources.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to lift light to medium weights and be exposed to some risk of injury from typical construction site environments.

Closing date is July 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications will be accepted via E-Mail or Fax only.

E-Mail address: HR.applications@cttech.org Faxes may be sent to-CTECS Recruitment 860-706-5756.