HVAC-R Instructor

Position Summary

The HVAC Instructor is responsible for providing high-quality classroom, laboratory, and hands-on instruction to students enrolled in the HVAC program. The instructor teaches HVAC theory, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, refrigeration, electrical systems, safety practices, and other subjects included within the approved curriculum.

The instructor creates an engaging, professional, and supportive learning environment while ensuring students develop the technical skills, safety practices, professionalism, and work habits necessary for entry-level employment in the HVAC industry.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Instruction & Student Development

• Deliver classroom, laboratory, and hands-on instruction in accordance with the approved curriculum, lesson plans, and program objectives.
• Demonstrate HVAC installation, maintenance, diagnostic, and repair procedures in a clear and effective manner.
• Provide direct supervision and coaching during laboratory and practical training activities.
• Incorporate real-world industry experience, service scenarios, and troubleshooting examples into instruction.
• Evaluate student knowledge and skill development through written examinations, practical assessments, competency evaluations, assignments, and classroom participation.
• Provide timely feedback, coaching, remediation, and additional assistance to students who are struggling academically or technically.
• Prepare students for applicable industry certifications and entry-level employment.
• Encourage students to develop strong troubleshooting, critical-thinking, communication, customer-service, and professional skills.
• Promote student retention, academic success, program completion, certification, and career readiness.

HVAC Instruction

Provide instruction in areas that may include:

• HVAC fundamentals and theory
• Heating systems
• Air conditioning systems
• Refrigeration principles and systems
• Residential and light commercial HVAC systems
• Electrical fundamentals and electrical components
• HVAC electrical controls and wiring
• Motors, relays, contactors, capacitors, and control devices
• Thermostats and control systems
• Refrigerant properties and refrigeration cycles
• Refrigerant recovery, recycling, and charging
• EPA Section 608 requirements
• Brazing and soldering
• Copper tubing and piping
• Air distribution and duct systems
• Airflow measurement and balancing
• Indoor air quality
• Preventive maintenance
• System installation and start-up
• Diagnostic tools, meters, gauges, and testing equipment
• Troubleshooting and repair
• Heat pumps
• Gas and electric heating equipment
• HVAC schematics and wiring diagrams
• Energy efficiency and system performance
• OSHA requirements and workplace safety
• Proper use of personal protective equipment
• Customer service and professional workplace practices

Classroom & Laboratory Management

• Maintain a safe, organized, professional, and productive classroom and HVAC laboratory environment.
• Ensure students consistently follow established safety practices, OSHA requirements, equipment procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Supervise students during hands-on activities to ensure tools, equipment, electrical systems, refrigerants, and HVAC training systems are used safely and appropriately.
• Monitor the proper use, storage, and maintenance of tools, equipment, refrigerants, supplies, and instructional materials.
• Ensure applicable refrigerant handling, recovery, storage, and disposal procedures are followed.
• Promptly identify and report damaged, unsafe, or missing equipment.
• Reinforce professional conduct, attendance, punctuality, appearance, teamwork, customer service, and workplace expectations.
• Maintain appropriate instructor/student professional boundaries at all times.

Student Records & Compliance

• Accurately record student attendance, grades, practical competencies, academic progress, and other required documentation.
• Complete required records and reports within established deadlines.
• Monitor student attendance and academic performance and promptly communicate concerns in accordance with school procedures.
• Participate in student advising, academic interventions, remediation, and retention efforts as needed.
• Document student progress and competency achievement in accordance with institutional requirements.
• Ensure instruction and documentation comply with Milan Institute policies, curriculum requirements, accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Student Professional Development & Career Readiness

• Coach students regarding Milan's Professional Expectations and reinforce the habits, attitudes, and behaviors expected by employers.
• Reinforce the importance of attendance, punctuality, dependability, safety, professionalism, and customer service within the skilled trades.
• Help students understand the relationship between technical competency, industry certifications, professionalism, and career success.
• Encourage students to obtain applicable industry credentials and certifications.
• Partner with Career Services and campus leadership to support graduate employment and career-readiness initiatives.
• Help prepare students for interviews, employer expectations, and professional interaction with customers and coworkers.

Faculty & Campus Responsibilities

• Participate in faculty meetings, training, professional development, and campus activities.
• Collaborate with faculty, administration, Career Services, and other departments to support student success.
• Maintain current knowledge of HVAC technology, equipment, refrigerants, codes, regulations, tools, and industry practices.
• Maintain required professional licenses and certifications.
• Assist with curriculum review and recommend improvements based on changes within the HVAC industry.
• Support student orientations, campus events, employer activities, and other school initiatives as assigned.
• Help maintain classrooms, laboratories, and instructional areas in a clean, safe, organized, and customer-friendly condition.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an HVAC training program, apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional HVAC/R industry experience, or the amount required by applicable state and accrediting agency standards.
• Demonstrated experience with the installation, service, maintenance, and troubleshooting of HVAC systems.
• Experience with residential and/or light commercial HVAC systems.
• Must meet all applicable state, accrediting agency, and institutional faculty qualification requirements.

Certification & Licensing

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification required.
• Current HVAC license, registration, or other professional credential required where applicable by state or local law.
• OSHA certification preferred.
• NATE, HVAC Excellence, or other recognized HVAC industry certifications preferred.
• Must maintain all licenses and certifications required for the position throughout employment.

Skills

• Strong technical knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Ability to explain complex mechanical and electrical concepts to students with varying levels of experience.
• Ability to safely demonstrate and supervise HVAC installation, maintenance, diagnostic, and repair procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational and classroom management skills.
• Ability to successfully implement instructional activities through effective communication and follow-through.
• Results-oriented with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to maintain a positive, student-focused customer service approach.
• Passionate about student success and skilled trades education.
• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, dependability, and integrity.
• Adheres to Milan Institute's Core Values of Accountability, Integrity, Growth, Service, and Communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous teaching, training, apprenticeship instruction, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
• Experience training entry-level HVAC technicians or apprentices.
• Experience with both residential and commercial HVAC systems.
• Experience with modern high-efficiency equipment, heat pumps, and advanced HVAC controls.
• Experience preparing candidates for EPA Section 608 or other HVAC industry certification examinations.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and educational technology.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of HVAC/R principles, equipment, and industry practices.
• Thorough understanding of electrical safety, refrigerant safety, and proper use of HVAC tools and equipment.
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to translate professional field experience into effective classroom and hands-on instruction.
• Ability to effectively demonstrate technical procedures while maintaining a safe learning environment.
• Patience and enthusiasm for working with students who are developing new technical skills.
• Strong coaching and mentoring abilities.
• Effective classroom leadership and student engagement skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and hold students accountable for academic, attendance, safety, and professional expectations.
• Ability to adapt instruction to different learning styles and student needs.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining student records.
• Professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to student success.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position requires the ability to perform and demonstrate physical activities commonly associated with HVAC work and hands-on instruction, including standing and walking for extended periods, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, climbing stairs or ladders, and working with HVAC equipment, tools, and training systems.

The employee must be able to safely demonstrate the use of hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, gauges, meters, HVAC components, and other instructional equipment.

The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Milan Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Milan Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the employment process.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an HVAC training program, apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional HVAC/R industry experience, or the amount required by applicable state and accrediting agency standards.
• Demonstrated experience with the installation, service, maintenance, and troubleshooting of HVAC systems.
• Experience with residential and/or light commercial HVAC systems.
• Must meet all applicable state, accrediting agency, and institutional faculty qualification requirements.

Certification & Licensing

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification required.
• Current HVAC license, registration, or other professional credential required where applicable by state or local law.
• OSHA certification preferred.
• NATE, HVAC Excellence, or other recognized HVAC industry certifications preferred.
• Must maintain all licenses and certifications required for the position throughout employment.