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Inmate Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Evaluates and maintains inmate/detainee academic progress. * The Academic Instructor provides individual tutoring. * Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Requirements: * Bachelor ...

Evaluates and maintains inmate/detainee academic progress. * The Academic Instructor provides individual tutoring. * Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Requirements: * Bachelor ...

Evaluates and maintains inmate/detainee academic progress. * The Academic Instructor provides individual tutoring. * Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Requirements: * Bachelor ...

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Inmate Instructor information

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How much do inmate instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for inmate instructor in the United States is $22.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an inmate instructor?

Inmate Instructors are professionals who teach and facilitate educational, vocational, or life skills programs for incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities. Their goal is to help inmates acquire new skills, improve literacy, and prepare for successful reintegration into society upon release. Inmate Instructors may teach subjects such as GED preparation, trade skills, or personal development. They work closely with correctional staff to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. This role plays a crucial part in reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation efforts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an inmate instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inmate Instructor, you need a solid background in teaching or vocational training, typically supported by a relevant degree, teaching certification, or subject matter expertise. Familiarity with educational software, classroom management systems, and correctional facility protocols is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to motivate and adapt to diverse learning needs are essential soft skills. These competencies are crucial for effectively delivering education, fostering rehabilitation, and maintaining a positive, secure learning environment within correctional facilities.

What are some common challenges faced by inmate instructors, and how can they be managed effectively?

Inmate Instructors often encounter challenges such as varying education levels among inmates, limited resources, and maintaining engagement in a secure environment. To manage these, instructors typically use adaptable teaching methods, create structured lesson plans, and foster a respectful classroom atmosphere. Collaborating with correctional staff and other educators is essential for addressing security protocols and ensuring classes run smoothly. Building rapport with students and celebrating small successes also helps maintain motivation and positive outcomes.

What are popular job titles related to Inmate Instructor jobs?

For Inmate Instructor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Inmate Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 41% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,943 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Inmate Computer Based Education Instructor

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

City of Philadelphia
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

$50K - $61K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


City Of Philadelphia rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Salary: $50,736.00 - $61,603.00 Annually
Location : Philadelphia, PA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5H26-20260831-OC-00
Department: PPS Prisons
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: J
Competition: Open Competitive
Residency Waiver: N/A
Certification Rule: Rule of List
1. Parts: Training & Experience Evaluation
1. Weight: 100%
Salary Range: EP13
WHO WE ARE
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What We Offer:
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
Learn more here:
Equal Access to Civil Service Testing
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: www.phila.gov/humanrelations
The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at janine.labletta@phila.gov. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.
Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.
For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:
General Definition
This is instructional work in an inmate computer based education program. The employees in this class advise, instruct and monitor inmates participating in a computerized, programmed educational, social and life skills instruction program. The Programs are intended to improve basic reading and writing skills, social and life skills, and prepare inmates for high school diploma equivalency testing. The employees in this class assess the educational level of inmates, explain computer-access procedures, advise inmates in response to programmed questions and instructions, explain educational materials presented, and provide supplemental material for individual instruction to specific inmates as needed. Motivating and/or encouraging inmates to participate in the program is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior and involves conditions which can only be partially controlled.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is:
Qadira Moore
City of Philadelphia
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-686-2692
Fax: 215-686-2347
Email: Qadira.Moore@Phila.gov
Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information
TYPE OF ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVEOnly an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Philadelphia residency is not required to submit an application; however,applicants must have established bona fide residency in the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment.
PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other persons receiving an identical test score. For Training and Experience evaluations, in which applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination, the residency preference eligibility date is the planned eligible list date listed on this announcement.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence later in this form.
The response on this application will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person's gross pay for such period, without the person's consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran's Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.
LEGACY PREFERENCE
Ten (10) points for legacy preference will be added to the scores of the children and grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty who apply for open competitive tests and pass the examination. Candidates must submit documented proof of relationship to the deceased parent or grandparent AND the death certificate of the deceased parent or grandparent.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE
Up to five (5) points will be added to the scores of eligible national volunteers who apply for open competitive tests and pass the examination. Candidates must submit a copy of their service letter to the staff member listed on the announcement if they wish for their eligibility to be reviewed. To be eligible, candidates must have:
A. Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA. Such candidates will be awarded
  • Five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service.
  • Three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.

B. Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
Such candidates will have:
  • 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
  • 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
  • 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
  • 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PREFERENCE
For exams announced after May 1, 2023, excluding Police and Fire entry level exams, candidates who successfully pass the open-competitive examination shall have up to 5 points added to their final score in accordance with Regulation 9.0670.
  1. Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an all parts of the examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. The following requirements must be satisfied for a candidate to receive additional credits for examinations.
  2. Candidates must have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia during the three-year period immediately preceding the examination announcement open date.
  3. Candidates may claim the additional credit at any time after the date that the examination is announced, until 30 days after the Established List of Candidates is approved by the Director or his/her designee.
  4. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate's passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.
  5. Candidates must submit adequate documentation including a high school transcript with completion of CTE Program as required by the Office of Human Resources.

Candidates must successfully pass all parts of the examination before veteran's preference, legacy preference, national volunteer service preference or CTE preference points are awarded.
TYPE OF EXAM: MODIFIED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
Approved applicants will receive a score of 70 and any additional preference points and be ranked on the eligible list.?Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
An Eligible List will be established the week of October 5, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
CERTIFICATION RULE
Rule of List
TEST REVIEW PROCESS
There is no test review for a Modified Training and Experience evaluation.
Level of Education Required
College
Minimum Acceptable Training and Experience
The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
AND
2. EXPERIENCE:
Two years of correctional experience
OR
Two years of educational counseling or teaching experience.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
Note: Correctional experience may replace the required education on a year-for-year basis.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
City of Philadelphia Benefits includes:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Prescription
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
  • Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Employee Assistant Program
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Paid sick leave
  • Vacation leave
  • Paid personal days
  • 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
  • Backup Child and Adult care
  • Wellbeing platform and programs
  • Retiree Health Benefits
  • Qualified Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
  • Tuition Discounts for City Employees

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