Construction Vocational Instructor

POSITION SUMMARY

Do you enjoy working with youth of all backgrounds, abilities, and needs? Do you have a desire to pass along what you’ve learned in the construction industry to young people considering a career in the trades? Would you enjoy project planning and leading a team of trainees to complete new build and renovation projects throughout the Boston Metro North area?

Youth Build Just A Start is seeking a full-time Construction Vocational Instructor (CVI), reporting to the Director of Youth Program Pathways, to provide pre-apprenticeship level construction training to Youth Build students. This individual will have significant experience in the construction industry, and will provide quality hands‑on training and supervision to Youth Build students in our program woodshop, as well as worksites throughout Boston Metro North.

In addition to classroom and hands‑on instruction, the CVI will assist in identifying new projects that meet contractual obligations, and communicate with General Contractors and external partners to ensure adequate work quality and projects are completed on time.

Just A Start’s mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. Founded in 1994, Youth Build Just A Start is a comprehensive youth academic and workforce development program that empowers low‑income, out‑of‑school youth (ages 16‑24) to reclaim their education, build their careers, and become leaders in their communities.

This program is part of the Education and Training department at Just A Start. Just A Start’s other programs include affordable housing and comprehensive support services, spanning Cambridge and beyond. Just A Start believes that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities.

This is a 37.5 hour per week in‑office position.

• Location:
  
  430 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
• Work Hours:
  
  8:00‑4:00 PM (Monday‑Friday)
• Compensation: $65,000 – $70,000 annual salary plus benefits

Under the supervision of the Director of Youth Program Pathways, and in collaboration with the Construction Vocational Instructor team, you will facilitate the execution of Youth Build Just A Start’s Construction Training Track. You will be responsible for preparing hands‑on classroom and worksite experiences that give youth trainees the opportunity to learn basic carpentry and construction skills, identify and use tools and materials correctly, and work safely independently and as a group.

You will also help identify and execute construction projects that enable the program to meet funder and contractual obligations. Finally, in collaboration with the full Youth Build Just A Start team, you will mentor students and provide career pathway guidance leading to industry job and training placements.

• Support the Director of Youth Program Pathways to meet all Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) deliverables, develop realistic budgets, scopes and timelines, and communicate changes to work plans in a timely manner.
• Work collaboratively with Construction Team members to research, identify, and execute new construction projects, field trips, and guest speaker engagements.
• Stay in constant communication with General Contractors and external partners to ensure that projects are completed on time and to professional quality standards in conformance with contracts and MOUs.
• Develop and maintain partnerships (e.g. Housing Authorities, NGOs, and JAS Real Estate) that lead to exceptional trainee outcomes and completion of funder and contractual obligations.

• Maintain an organized and safe work environment for trainees in the Youth Build Woodshop and community worksites.
• Clearly communicate policies and procedures to trainees, enforcing expectations and standards at all times.
• Facilitate hands‑on learning experiences that prepare students to earn their Pre‑Apprenticeship Certification Training (PACT) and OSHA 10‑Construction credentials.
• Teach basic carpentry and construction training skills, including (but…