Entry Level Trades Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Prince William Sound College is seeking a qualified adjunct instructor to teach MT A102: Introduction to Maritime Trades during the Spring 2027 semester.
This is a 2-credit Career and Technical Education course that introduces students to seaside and shoreside maritime vocations. The course covers maritime facilities, dockside heavy machinery, common ship-loading procedures, nonverbal signaling, maritime water safety and survivability, boat identification, basic navigation, chart reading and plotting, and introductory marine engine maintenance.
Course Schedule
Semester: Spring 2027
Course: MT A102 Introduction to Maritime Trades
Credits: 2 credits
Schedule: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Length: 15 weeks
Location: Prince William Sound College, Valdez, Alaska
The adjunct instructor will be responsible for delivering classroom and hands-on instruction in accordance with the approved course curriculum and learning objectives. The course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the skills, terminology, safety practices, and operational knowledge needed to enter maritime trades.
Instruction will include both lecture and lab-based activities. The course also prepares students to take the National Center for Construction Education and Research, or NCCER, certification exam in Introduction to Maritime Trades.
Course Topics
Topics include, but are not limited to:
• Shoreside maritime facilities, including petroleum, explosives, and passenger terminals
• Dockside tools, machinery, vehicles, and heavy equipment
• Common ship-loading procedures
• Proper use of hand signaling and nonverbal communication
• Identification of major vessel types
• Maritime water safety and survivability
• Personal Flotation Device, or PFD, use, maintenance, and repair
• Basic navigation, buoys, maritime rules of the road, maps, and charts
• Chart reading and plotting
• Introductory marine engine maintenance, including inboard and outboard motors
• Introduction to boilers and other maritime systems
To thrive in this role, applicants should have relevant marine service, maritime, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, vessel operations, or related technical experience. Previous teaching or training experience, particularly in vocational or technical education settings, is highly desirable.
Successful applicants will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and motivate students from diverse backgrounds. Adjunct instructors should be committed to promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment that supports student success and achievement.
Applicants should be comfortable providing hands-on technical instruction, reinforcing safe work practices, and helping students develop entry-level skills for marine service and maritime-related occupations. The ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, industry partners, and stakeholders to enhance program quality and relevance is also important.
Minimum Qualifications:
Relevant maritime industry, vessel operations, marine service, port operations, or shoreside maritime experience. Familiarity with maritime safety practices, vessel identification, dockside operations, navigation, chart reading, and marine systems. Experience providing hands-on training or technical instruction. Strong communication and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with students from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels. NCCER familiarity or instructor certification preferred, but not required.
Applicants will be assessed based on their academic background, industry experience, teaching or training experience, and potential to deliver high-quality instruction to undergraduate students.
Position Details:
This position is located on the Prince William Sound College campus in Valdez. This is an adjunct represented temporary position. New hires will be placed on the adjunct salary schedule as outlined in the UNAD CBA.
This is a pooled position and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.
The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position's duties, operational needs, and the employee's ability to effectively perform the work remotely.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Jay Stevens at mjstevens2@alaska.edu.
This is an at-will, union represented adjunct position, and may be canceled based upon the needs of the university.
This position is represented by United Academic - Adjuncts, AAUP-AFT/ALF-CIO.
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu .
The University of Alaska ( www.alaska.edu ) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination ( www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination ) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu .
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu .
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu .