Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor - SCI Laurel Highlands

Salary: $53,036.00 - $107,095.00 Annually
Location : Somerset County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Corrections
Division: CR LAU Mntnc
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 98950
Position Number: 50325563
Union: PSCOA
Bargaining Unit: H1
Pay Group: CO37
Bureau / Division Code: 00114420
Bureau / Division: SCI-Laurel Highlands
Worksite Address: 5706 Glades Pike
City: Somerset, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 15501
Contact Name: Corleen Schmucker
Contact Phone: 717.562.5736
Contact Email: cschmucker@pa.gov

THE POSITION
Put your refrigeration experience to work in a role that goes beyond maintenance and repair. The Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, SCI Laurel Highlands, teaches valuable trade skills while overseeing real-world work assignments and classroom instruction. Every day offers the opportunity to develop talent, promote safe operations, and support the mission of the facility. If you enjoy mentoring others and sharing your expertise, this is a rewarding career opportunity.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor provides classroom and hands-on vocational training in the refrigeration mechanic trade while supervising inmate workers at SCI Laurel Highlands. This position supports facility operations by teaching trade skills, directing work assignments, maintaining accountability for tools and materials, and ensuring a safe and productive learning environment. As a Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Trade Instruction: Teach standard refrigeration mechanic practices, including installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning systems through classroom and hands-on training
• Work Crew Oversight: Direct inmate work crews, assign daily schedules, monitor performance, and inspect completed refrigeration work assignments
• Training Documentation: Maintain records of inmate attendance, training progress, work assignments, and vocational program activities
• Tool Accountability: Issue, inventory, and account for tools and materials used during training and work assignments while conducting searches to ensure all items are properly tracked
• Material Planning: Identify needed tools and supplies for refrigeration projects and submit purchase requests to support work assignments
• Safety And Security: Maintain order and discipline during classroom instruction and work activities while exercising care, custody, and control of inmates

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $53,036.00 (before taxes). However, a higher salary may be established in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of experience in the repair and servicing of refrigeration systems or air conditioning systems; or
• Completion of an approved apprenticeship in the refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes one year of journey level work in the refrigeration or air conditioning mechanic trade.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of an active Universal Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Certificate issued by an approved provider.

Other Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.