Associate Instructor of HVAC, Evening

Title: Associate Instructor of HVAC

Employee Classification: Faculty

Institution: TCAT-Knoxville

Department: HVAC

Campus Location: TCAT Knoxville

Job Summary

Are you a skilled HVAC/R professional ready to share your expertise with the next generation of technicians? The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is seeking a full-time Evening Associate Instructor of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration to lead instruction in our evening HVAC/R program at the College's main campus.

At TCAT Knoxville, our mission is to prepare students for successful careers in high-demand technical fields, and our HVAC/R program is a cornerstone of that work. As the Main Campus Evening HVAC Associate Instructor, your primary responsibility will be delivering high-quality classroom and laboratory instruction to adult students enrolled in the College's evening HVAC/R program. The program prepares students to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain residential and commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, humidifiers, and electrical and gas heating, along with the fundamentals of electricity, electric motors, and controls. You will work alongside a supportive faculty team with strong industry partnerships, and you will have the opportunity to teach what you love while making a lasting impact in your community.

This is a full-time position working 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The position offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive State of Tennessee benefits package, and the rewarding experience of helping students launch rewarding careers.

Job Duties

Instruction & Student Learning

• Provide classroom and laboratory instruction in HVAC/R to adult students enrolled in the College's evening program at the TCAT Knoxville main campus.
• Apply a multi-method instructional approach — including demonstrations, lectures, hands-on shop activities, and worksite experiences — to prepare students for employment in the HVAC/R industry.
• Adapt teaching methods to meet the diverse needs, interests, and learning abilities of adult students.
• Develop and administer accurate, objective assessments to measure student learning and ensure mastery of program competencies.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and professional shop and classroom learning environment.
  
  

Evening Program & Student Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for evening HVAC/R students, maintaining positive, professional relationships with students, staff, and college administration.
• Coordinate with college staff on scheduling, student recruitment, orientation, and program requirements for the evening program.
• Support the successful progression of evening program students toward program completion, credentialing, and entry into the workforce.
  
  

Program & Industry Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with area employers to facilitate the referral, placement, and employment of students.
• Cooperate with outside agencies, work with the program advisory committee, conduct visits to business and industry, and maintain positive public relations on behalf of the College.
• Work cooperatively with other departments and the community to expand employment and training opportunities for students.
• Maintain accurate records and conduct surveys and reports of program graduates.
  
  

Communication & Compliance

• Communicate professionally, tactfully, and courteously with students, employees, faculty, and the general public.
• Ensure all activities are conducted within the established guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Perform all assigned duties safely and in accordance with established practices, procedures, techniques, and standards, with minimal supervision.
• Work to meet and exceed COE accreditation standards and TBR performance expectations.
  
  

Professional Development

• Acquire, maintain, and apply knowledge of current best practices in student services, workforce education, and campus administration.
• Attend scheduled college and department professional development activities, in-service trainings, and TBR-required programs.
• Support and participate in related professional organizations, including those focused on student affairs and workforce development.
  
  

Service to the College & Community

• Assist in the recruitment and selection of college personnel as assigned.
• Participate in accreditation, institutional assessment, and performance funding processes.
• Provide input and assistance with institutional planning and budgets.
• Attend convocation, commencement exercises, and mandatory college programs.
• Develop and maintain positive, cooperative relationships with colleagues across all TCAT Knoxville campuses and programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or administration, on and off campus.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED and a graduate of an accredited HVAC/R technical program, or an Associate degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Three years of current work experience in all phases of industrial, residential, and commercial HVAC/R systems, including installation and service.
• EPA Universal Certification.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• NATE and/or HVAC Excellence Certification
• Teaching experience
• Knowledge of Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) policies and procedures
• Skill in managing deadlines and working in a team-oriented environment
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong organizational and communication skills are necessary to be an effective instructor of adult learners.
• Ability to apply a multi-method instructional approach (demonstration, lecture, hands-on, and worksite-based learning) to varied student needs and abilities.
• Ability to develop curriculum, lesson plans, and assessments aligned with program competencies and industry standards.
• Ability to manage a classroom and shop environment, including enforcing safety practices, maintaining tools and equipment, and managing student behavior and progress.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to manage deadlines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements with accuracy.
• Computer skills, including general proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and the ability to learn the College's learning management system (LMS) and student information systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records in accordance with FERPA.
• Ability to work independently during evening hours and coordinate effectively with day-shift faculty and staff as needed.
  
  

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Environment: Work is performed in classroom and HVAC/R shop/lab settings at the TCAT Knoxville main campus during evening hours, with frequent interruptions. Approximately 28 hours per week are spent in direct instruction, with the remaining 7 hours used for grading, recordkeeping, lesson preparation, and student meetings.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a classroom and shop setting; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 30 lbs.; to operate standard equipment and tools; to stand and climb ladders; and to effectively communicate to exchange information.
  
  

Salary

In accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents guidelines, within the range of $56,263 - $67,517.

Applicants for this Associate Instructor position may be considered for hire at the Instructor rank if they meet the qualifying criteria for that rank, including three (3) years of full-time higher education teaching experience in the occupational discipline, and required work experience and education. Final rank placement will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications at the time of hire.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION & REVIEW

To be considered for a position at TCAT Knoxville, you must create and submit an online application that includes uploads of your required documents. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using what is recorded on your application. Please be sure to include the complete beginning and end dates under your employment history. Scan and attach the required documents to the online application in Word or PDF format. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Required Documents

Resume

Educational transcripts

Industry licensure and/or certifications

Applications are open until 08/12/2026 or until the position is filled.

EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS: Current federal law requires identification and eligibility verification prior to employment. Only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States may be employed. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, or national origin, sex, sexual orientation and gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Misty Anderson, Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance, misty.anderson@tcatknoxville.edu, 1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN 37919, 865-766-4346. See the full non-discrimination policy at https://tcatknoxville.edu/about/non-discrimination-statement.