Title: Associate Instructor of Automotive Technology

Employee Classification: Faculty

Institution: TCAT-Knoxville

Department: Automotive Technology

Campus Location: TCAT Knoxville

Job Summary

Are you a skilled automotive professional ready to share your expertise with the next generation of technicians? The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is seeking a full-time Associate Instructor of Automotive Technology to join our team at the Main Campus.

At TCAT Knoxville, our mission is to prepare students for successful careers in high-demand technical fields, and our Automotive Technology program is a cornerstone of that work. As an Associate Instructor, you will play a vital role in shaping the careers of students who go on to fill critical roles in the automotive industry across East Tennessee. You will work alongside a supportive faculty team with strong industry partnerships, and you will have the opportunity to teach what you love while making a lasting impact in your community.

This is a full-time position working 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with a thirty-minute lunch. The position offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive State of Tennessee benefits package, and the rewarding experience of helping students launch rewarding careers.

As a TCAT Knoxville employee, you will have access to the comprehensive Tennessee Board of Regents benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan plus optional deferred compensation savings; paid annual and sick leave, and paid state holidays; educational assistance programs, including tuition discounts for employees and eligible dependents; Wellness plan; and optional benefits such as flexible spending accounts and short- and long-term disability.

Job Duties

Instruction & Student Learning

• Teach basic and advanced automotive courses, covering all eight areas of ASE certification.
• Apply a multi-method instructional approach — including demonstrations, lectures, hands-on shop activities, and worksite experiences — to prepare students for employment in the automotive industry.
• Adapt teaching methods to meet the diverse needs, interests, and learning abilities of adult and secondary students.
• Develop and administer accurate, objective assessments to measure student learning and ensure mastery of program competencies.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and professional shop and classroom learning environment.

Program & Industry Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with area employers to facilitate the referral, placement, and employment of students.
• Cooperate with outside agencies, work with the program advisory committee, conduct visits to business and industry, and maintain positive public relations on behalf of the College.
• Work cooperatively with other departments and the community to expand employment and training opportunities for students.
• Maintain accurate records and conduct surveys and reports of program graduates. - (Essential)

Communication & Compliance

• Communicate professionally, tactfully, and courteously with students, employees, faculty, and the general public.
• Ensure all activities are conducted within the established guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Perform all assigned duties safely and in accordance with established practices, procedures, techniques, and standards, with minimal supervision.
• Work to meet and exceed COE accreditation standards and TBR performance expectations. - (Essential)

Professional Development

• Acquire, maintain, and apply knowledge of current best practices in student services, workforce education, and campus administration.
• Attend scheduled college and department professional development activities, in-service trainings, and TBR-required programs.
• Support and participate in related professional organizations, including those focused on student affairs and workforce development. - (Essential)

Service to the College & Community

• Assist in the recruitment and selection of college personnel as assigned.
• Participate in accreditation, institutional assessment, and performance funding processes.
• Provide input and assistance with institutional planning and budgets.
• Attend convocation, commencement exercises, and mandatory college programs.
• Develop and maintain positive, cooperative relationships with colleagues across all TCAT Knoxville campuses.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or administration, on and off campus. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Technical diploma or Associate degree in Automotive Technology or related field.
• Three years of current full-time work experience in the automotive field.
• Must possess all required ASE certifications and/or accreditations for the field or the ability to become certified timely.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current ASE Master Technician Certification
• Teaching experience
• Knowledge of Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) policies and procedures
• Skill in managing deadlines and working in a team-oriented environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and communication skills are necessary to be an effective instructor of adult and secondary learners.
• Ability to apply a multi-method instructional approach (demonstration, lecture, hands-on, and worksite-based learning) to varied student needs and abilities.
• Ability to develop curriculum, lesson plans, and assessments aligned with program competencies and ASE standards.
• Ability to manage a classroom and shop environment, including enforcing safety practices, maintaining tools and equipment, and managing student behavior and progress.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to manage deadlines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements with accuracy.
• Computer skills, including general proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and the ability to learn the College's learning management system (LMS) and student information systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records in accordance with FERPA.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Environment: Work is performed in classroom and automotive shop settings with frequent interruptions. Approximately 30 hours per week are spent in direct instruction, with the remaining 7.5 hours used for grading, recordkeeping, lesson preparation, and student meetings. Shop conditions include exposure to moderate-to-loud noise, automotive fluids and exhaust fumes, dust and grease, variable temperatures, and moving vehicles and equipment.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a classroom and shop setting; to see and discern color, since electrical wiring is often color-coded; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time, to stand and climb ladders; and to effectively communicate to exchange information.

In accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents guidelines, within the range of $47,727 - $57,273.

To be considered for a position at TCAT Knoxville, you must create and submit an online application that includes uploads of your required documents. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using what is recorded on your application. Please be sure to include the complete beginning and end dates under your employment history. Scan and attach the required documents to the online application in Word or PDF format. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Resume
Educational transcripts
Certifications

Applications are open until 05/09/2026 or until the position is filled.

EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS: Current federal law requires identification and eligibility verification prior to employment. Only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States may be employed. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.