New

IT and Data Center Instructor

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ABOUT PER SCHOLAS:

For 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive mobility and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous tech training. By teaming up with dynamic employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we're forging inclusive tech talent pipelines, fulfilling an ever-increasing need for skilled talent. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and counting, Per Scholas offers no-cost training programs in the most sought-after tech skills, spanning Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, 30,000+ individuals have been trained through Per Scholas, propelling their professional trajectories into high-growth tech careers with salaries three times higher than their pre-training earnings. Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

PerScholas hires within the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA

 

Position Title: IT and Data Center Instructor

Location: Chicago, IL 

Reports To: Senior Director, Technical Instruction 

Employment Type: Contract 

Contract Duration: 1-3 Months 

Per Scholas seeks a dynamic, team-oriented Technical Instructor to ensure Per Scholas’ adult students are equipped with the necessary skills for success in entry and mid-level tech careers. The Technical Instructor will deliver Per Scholas’ structured and approved curriculum in full-time technical training.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Per Scholas is seeking an IT and Data Center Support instructor to become a member of our Training Team. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, problem-solving individual with strong technical and instructional skills, demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly to a dynamic environment, and maintains a strong sense of accountability. To succeed in this role, candidates must be business-minded within our mission focus and excel in instructional delivery that meets clients’ and learners’ high expectations.

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

 

  • Support instructor-led training that prepares learners for entry-level to mid-level careers in IT  and Data Center . Responsibilities include daily instruction, assessment administration, attendance, one-on-one tutoring, daily evaluation and monitoring of individual learner progress, addressing learner violations with learners in a consistent manner, and more.
  • Provide learners with access to relevant resources for outside learning on technologies and study aids relevant to the curriculum.
  • Work closely with the team to identify learner needs, provide the necessary support, establish individualized plans for learner achievement, and participate in regular learner-status meetings.
  • Maintain and update Salesforce and/or our LMS with learner grades, certification scores, and progress notes.
  • Support and maintain the training curricula, syllabi, lesson plans, and other classroom materials. 

 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO US

 

Instructional Skill Sets

  • 1-3 years of teaching or training experience 
  • Strong technical background; able to grasp and convey highly technical subject matter
  • Ability to respond clearly to live digital conversations via a digital engagement platform such as Zoom or an in-person training environment.
  • Strong communication skills

 

Required Skill Sets  

  • Current A+ certification (1101-1102 Series or later)
  • Proficient understanding of IT support , including hardware, software, and networking concepts.
  • Familiarity with operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
  • Familiarity with IT infrastructure technology (Servers, Enterprise Routers, Switches, Wireless controllers, Load Balancers) 
  • Experience in troubleshooting common IT issues, including software installations, network configurations, and hardware malfunctions.
  • Knowledge of IT security protocols and best practices.
  • Ability to work with diverse IT tools and software like helpdesk ticketing systems, remote desktop tools, and hardware diagnostic utilities.
  • Understanding of cloud computing platforms and services.
  • Experience with mobile device management and troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with virtualization technologies.
  • Knowledge of IT support and best practices and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Ability to stay updated with the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
  • Understanding of network architectures, protocols, and troubleshooting.
  • Proficiency with Cisco networking equipment and software.
  • Familiarity with OSHA guidelines and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards.
  • Ability to assess and mitigate potential hazards in IT environments.
  • Understanding of data center infrastructure, including power and cooling systems.
  • Knowledge of data center topology and operational best practices.
  • Skills in server assembly, configuration, and maintenance.
  • Experience with various server technologies and their applications.
  • Ability to manage and troubleshoot system‑level issues.
  • Understanding of cloud service models (IAAS, SAAS, PAAS).
  • Familiarity with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
  • Skills in designing and maintaining virtual environments.
  • Experience with Type 1 / bare metal virtualization software like VMware or Hyper‑V.
  • Proficiency in using project management tools and methodologies.
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development, applicable certifications, and coursework to stay current with rapidly evolving technology trends and advancements.

 

Preferred Skill Sets

  • Network+ Certification ( N10-007 or N10-008)  or Cisco equivalent ( CCNA)
  • Experience with ITIL implementation in support of the Help Desk
  • Experience using an SLA ticketing system with a customer/consumer service-driven approach

(ServiceNow preferred). 

  • Experience in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining various computer hardware, including desktops, laptops, and peripheral devices.
  • Ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS, including knowledge of file systems, drivers, and system optimization.
  • Experience in setting up and managing both wired and wireless networks, with a deep understanding of IP addressing, subnets, routing, and network troubleshooting tools.
  • Experience in configuring, troubleshooting, and securing mobile devices across various platforms, including Android and iOS.
  • Experience in setting up and managing Windows Server environments and roles such as Active Directory, DHCP, and DNS.
  • Experience in designing and implementing Group Policy to manage user environments, system settings, and software installations across an organization.
  • Experience in understanding and managing server storage solutions, including RAID configurations and different disk types.
  • Experience in implementing backup strategies on Windows Server and restoring data or system states when necessary.
  • Experience with complex network configurations and enterprise‑level deployments.
  • Certifications in IT safety and knowledge of data center practices and technologies.
  • Experience with rack assembly and blade servers.
  • Skills in designing and implementing cloud architecture solutions.
  • Knowledge of structured cabling best practices.
  • Ability to plan, execute, and monitor IT projects effectively.

 

Professional Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent practical/industry experience)
  • Strong technical aptitude (Google Sheets/Excel, Slides/PowerPoint, Salesforce, Slack, Zoom, etc.), project management, and organizational skills with detailed follow-through abilities 
  • Excellent written communication, presentation, and customer service skills
  • Solid understanding of business needs
  • Strong evaluation and data management skills
  • Prior knowledge or background in IT (if minimal, a desire and willingness to learn what’s needed) and a passion for technology is a plus

 

Personal Characteristics

  • You thrive in a creative, inventive, fast-paced startup environment with people who are passionate about their work and mission.
  • You are data-driven, result-oriented, and a forward-looking catalyst for social change.
  • You have a collaborative and flexible work style. You’re excited to work cross-functionally with other departments and independently.
  • You are a life-long learner.
  • You are an effective communicator with strong oral and written skills. 
  • You are tech-savvy and learn new tools quickly. 
  • You are detail-oriented, with exceptional organizational management skills.
  • You have strong public speaking and interpersonal skills. You are a motivator who is personable, approachable, and socially engaging. You can cultivate relationships and build rapport quickly and authentically with people from various professional and cultural backgrounds.
  • You are adept at managing your time and balancing multiple projects and tasks.
  • You stand behind our mission, believing that individuals from any community should have access to well-paying career positions and that talent should be recognized and recruited from diverse sources.

 

Compensation 

For this role specifically, we are targeting a hourly rate of $55.00  - $60.00/ HR where the difference in salary is typically determined by several factors, including geography in which the selected candidate resides, and alignment with qualifications and experience.

#LI-Onsite

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this role, please feel free to email our Talent team at jobs@perscholas.org. We look forward to viewing your application!

Equal Employment Opportunity

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

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