About Skilled US
At Skilled US, we believe in transforming lives through education and workforce readiness. We operate a full-service, brick-and-mortar adult education campus that blends rigorous instruction, career training, and holistic wraparound support. We are a bold, entrepreneurial, and student-first organization driven by our core values: Students First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude. We move fast, set the bar high, and work relentlessly to meet the evolving needs of our learners and the labor market.
Job Summary:
The Masonry Instructor is more than an educator - this role is a mentor, industry leader, and career coach who delivers the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Masonry Level 1 (5th Edition) curriculum to adult learners (18+) entering the masonry trade through Skilled USs 6-week, 224-hour Integrated Education and Training (IET) cohort. Whatever a learners background, the instructor meets them where they are and moves them toward an industry-recognized credential, apprenticeship, or direct entry into the trade. This role is built on hands-on training, where learners learn by doing in a real-world masonry lab environment. Anchored in NCCER Masonry Level 1: Bricklaying, Block, and Mortar Craft, the instructor integrates essential-skills instruction - safety discipline, technical proficiency, and professional habits - with embedded Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) content aligned to WIOA Title II. Beyond technical training, learners gain the employability skills - teamwork, attendance, communication, and accountability - that are essential in both life and work.
The NCCER Masonry Credential
This is an NCCER Masonry Level 1 instructional role. The instructor delivers all ten modules of NCCER Masonry Level 1 (5th Edition) and guides learners from foundational safety and tool
use through residential masonry assemblies and on to employment. All completions are entered
into the NCCER Registry as stackable, nationally recognized credentials.
NCCER Masonry Level 1 modules taught include: Introduction to Masonry, Basic Masonry
Safety (OSHA 10), Masonry Tools and Equipment, Materials Handling, Masonry Units and
Installation Techniques, Measurement and Math, Mortar, Basic Communication Skills,
Residential Masonry and Basic Employability Skills.
- Holds - or completes within the first year - the NCCER Craft Instructor Certification(ICTP) in the Masonry area, and maintains lead-instructor eligibility as required.
- Applies adult-learning principles (andragogy) to a 6-week cohort of adult learners, many of whom are new to the construction trade, without lowering the credentialing bar.
- Builds a clear pathway from Masonry Level 1 into continued NCCER craft instruction, apprenticeship, or direct employment in the masonry trade.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum, Instruction & Credentialing
- Plan, prepare, and deliver all ten NCCER Masonry Level 1 (5th Edition) modules across the 6-week, 224-hour IET cohort, aligned with NCCER standards and WIOA Title II requirements.
- Provide hands-on instruction in masonry fundamentals - brick and block laying, mortar mixing and proportioning, tool use, scaffold assembly and safety, blueprint reading, and residential masonry assemblies (foundations, steps, patios, chimneys).
- Supervise and support learners in the lab, enforcing OSHA 10 and site-safety standards at all times.
- Administer NCCER module tests and performance profiles during Week 6; track and submit certification records to the NCCER Registry to secure credential attainment.
- Embed Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) activities aligned to WIOA Title II standards within each weeks NCCER instruction.
- Assess learner outcomes and modify instructional processes to meet stated learning objectives for the cohort.
- Maintain and upgrade required NCCER instructor certification through ongoing continuing education.
- Represent the YouthBuild & Construction program and Skilled US with professionalism at all times.
Adult Learner Delivery & Coaching
- Deliver instruction using adult-learning principles (andragogy), adjusting pace, examples, and coaching to a cohort of adult learners entering the trade.
- Provide or coordinate weekly 1:1 coaching (2 hrs/week) and monitor completion of virtual module assignments (2 hrs/week)
- Reinforce embedded workforce readiness content - financial literacy, resume building,
- mock interviews - alongside program staff and career navigators.
- Mock interviews - alongside program staff and career navigators.
- Engage every learner in the learning process and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Work-Based Learning & Employer Engagement
- Establish and maintain relationships with area employers, trade unions, and community organizations in the masonry and construction industry.
- Oversee student job placement assistance, connecting learners with employer partners upon program completion.
- Manage vendor and industry partnerships to align equipment, materials, and training with Skilled USs needs.
Program Development, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate student records, including attendance, assessments, credential tracking, and Measurable Skill Gain (MSG) documentation in Salesforce.
- Assist in developing and improving the masonry program in alignment with NCCER and industry standards.
- Manage program resources, including tools, materials, and lab/shop operations.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines for workforce-training programs(e.g., WIOA Title II, IET).
- Implement industry best practices for compliance tracking and reporting, and support continuous-improvement initiatives that expand access and outcomes for underserved communities.
- Stay informed on emerging trends in the masonry trade, materials, and workforce-development methodology.
Student & Community Engagement
- Communicate effectively with students, employers, and program administrators.
- Support learners in making informed career decisions and achieving long-term employment success.
- Facilitate mentorship, leadership development, and career coaching.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the administration.
Qualifications & Skills
Required
- High school diploma or High School Equivalency, and one of the following: NCCER Masonry Craft Instructor certification (or eligibility to obtain within a defined timeframe); or a minimum of 5 years of professional masonry experience.
- Hold, or be willing to complete within the first year, the NCCER Craft Instructor Certification (ICTP) in the Masonry area.
- OSHA 10 certification required.
- Strong understanding of masonry fundamentals, including brick and block characteristics, mortar types and mixing, scaffold safety, materials handling, blueprint reading, and residential masonry construction.
- Ability to supervise and mentor adult learners in hands-on, lab-based learning environments.
- Verifiable work experience outside of education.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in computer applications related to instruction and student management, and willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.
Preferred
- OSHA 30 certification.
- Ten (10) years of subject-related industry experience; teaching, training, or mentoring experience.
- NCCER Master Trainer status.
- Familiarity with WIOA Title II / IET program requirements and compliance-tracking platforms (e.g., Salesforce).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish/Haitian Creole).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of course-delivery processes, adult-learning principles, and curriculum and training design for individuals and groups.
- Knowledge of assessing learner outcomes and of the masonry trade and its application to the craft being taught.
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and safety strategies to protect people, property, and data in the lab and on the worksite.
- Skill to implement new strategies and procedures, and to examine and re-engineer existing processes.
- Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and modify instructional processes, and to coordinate meetings and special events.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a diverse community.
Physical Effort, Working Conditions & Schedule
Physical Effort:
Moderate to active physical activity, including lifting, carrying, and stacking masonry materials,
tools, and equipment up to 30 pounds; standing for extended periods; and keyboard
manipulation. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed on-site in classroom and lab environments. This is a 100% in-person
position; essential duties must be performed in person during prescribed work hours.
Work Schedule:
Part-time, Monday-Friday (evenings), aligned to 6-week IET cohort cycles. Some flexibility
may be required to accommodate weekly 1:1 coaching sessions.
Why This Role Is Critical
The Masonry Instructor is a life-changing role - one that doesnt just teach a trade, it builds
futures. Many learners who step into this program never considered masonry as a career. With
the right instruction, mentorship, and hands-on experience - and a portable NCCER Masonry
Level 1 credential in hand - they can complete the program ready to take on the world with
confidence and purpose.
Whether a learner enters the workforce directly, joins an apprenticeship, or pursues further
NCCER craft instruction, the Masonry Instructor ensures they are prepared, inspired, and
excited for whats next.
Our Core Values:
- Student First: Ensure all interactions prioritize students needs.
- Respect: Treat others with dignity and fairness.
- Determination: Approach challenges with hard work and resilience.
- Continuous Improvement: Strive for growth and better outcomes every day.
- Gratitude: Demonstrate appreciation for the opportunity to serve our students and community.
This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.