Entry Level Controls Engineer Jobs in Columbus, OH

Position Title: Critical Infrastructure Learning Specialist
Office: Columbus, OH
Work Modality: Onsite
Work Type: Contract
Duration: 3-6 Months
Hourly Rate: $26-29/hr

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Per Scholas is seeking a Critical Infrastructure Learning Specialist to become a member of our National Training Team. The ideal candidate is a technically strong, safety-minded professional who can support the lead instructor in translating complex electrical and mechanical systems into structured, high-quality learning experiences.

This learning specialist must understand how mission-critical infrastructure operates in data center environments and possess the ability to teach learners how to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot those systems responsibly. The right candidate is not only technically competent but also able to instill operational discipline, risk awareness, and professional accountability in adult learners preparing for uptime-sensitive environments.

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

• Assist the Critical Infrastructure Expert Trainer in delivering instructor-led training that prepares students for entry-level to mid-level careers as Critical Facilities Technicians/Engineers in data center environments and, when necessary, deliver specific training modules as assigned by the lead instructor.. Responsibilities include assistance in daily instruction, assessment administration, attendance tracking, one-on-one tutoring, daily evaluation and monitoring of individual student progress, and consistent enforcement of classroom and lab standards.
• Assist the instructor in teaching foundational and intermediate technical concepts, including:
• Electrical distribution systems (3-phase power, switchgear, PDUs)
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
• Backup generators and Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
• Cooling systems (CRAC/CRAH, chillers, hydronic loops, coolant distribution units)
• Building Management Systems (BMS) and DCIM platforms
• Assist in the facilitated hands-on lab exercises involving electrical panels, monitoring simulations, and mechanical systems while enforcing OSHA and NFPA-aligned safety practices.
• Assist in the evaluation of student troubleshooting performance using scenario-based diagnostics and structured performance checklists.
• Provide students with relevant supplemental resources for deeper learning on technical systems, industry certifications, and best practices.
• Dedicate capacity (e.g., 10% of non-instructional time) to professional development, technical upskilling, curriculum modernization, and contributing to the product's retrospective/evaluation cycle
• Work closely with the instructional and curriculum development teams to provide feedback on lab effectiveness, learner pain points, and content clarity.
• Maintain and update Salesforce and/or our LMS with student grades, certification scores, attendance, and performance notes.
• Support and maintain training curricula, syllabi, lesson plans, and classroom materials, identifying areas for improvement based on delivery experience.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO US

Instructional Skill Sets

• 2-5+ years of working in data centers as a Critical Facility Engineer/Technician
• 1-3 years of instructional skills teaching technical subjects to technicians and operators.
• Strong technical background; able to grasp highly technical subject matter and effectively support its conveyance to learners during instruction and lab sessions
• Ability to respond clearly to live digital conversations via Zoom or in-person training environments
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Experience teaching adult learners in structured training environments preferred

Required Skill Sets

• Technical proficiency in the following areas:
• Electrical systems and power distribution
• UPS and backup power systems
• Industrial HVAC or cooling systems
• Building monitoring or controls systems
• Demonstrated understanding of industrial or mission-critical safety standards (OSHA, NFPA 70E, LOTO procedures)
• Ability to guide learners through troubleshooting scenarios in a structured and safety-conscious manner
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining technical currency in evolving infrastructure technologies
• Demonstrated fluency in utilizing Generative AI tools (e.g., Google Gemini) for instructional prep, assessment, and to model real-world professional use in the technical domain

Preferred Skill Sets

• Significant prior experience working in data centers, critical facilities, or industrial maintenance environments
• Experience with SCADA, BMS, or DCIM monitoring systems
• Industry certifications such as:
• OSHA 10 or 30 (General Industry)
• NFPA 70E training
• Electrical, HVAC, or Maintenance certifications
• Experience delivering competency-based or hands-on technical training programs

Professional Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (or equivalent industry experience)
• Strong technical aptitude (Google Workspace, LMS platforms, Zoom, project management tools)
• Excellent written communication, presentation, and classroom management skills
• Strong evaluation and data management skills
• Ability to interpret technical documentation including schematics, P&IDs, and single-line diagrams

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.

For this role specifically, we are targeting a hourly rate rate of $26-29/hr. Final compensation may vary based on several factors including geographic location, experience, and alignment with qualifications.

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