Next Step- Assistant Wood Program Instructor

Join us at Next Step of West Michigan in Grand Rapids, MI, for a great opportunity as a Full-Time Assistant Wood Program Instructor! The Assistant Wood Program Instructor supports the delivery of hands-on wood product manufacturing instruction for both high school students and adult participants. This role focuses on instructional support, participant supervision, and shop operations under the direction of Lead Instructors and program leadership.

Next Step of West Michigan: Who We Are

Next Step is a faith-based, social enterprise, non-profit engaged in work force development and skills training. We are dedicated to serving our program participants' needs, while meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations. We expect an innovative, goal-oriented, eager contributor, who shows a dedicated work ethic. We expect our staff to exhibit empathy, compassion, active listening, to be self-aware, sensitive across racial, class and cultural lines, ethical, and approachable. We look for work habits of punctuality, dependability, accountability, responsibility, cooperation, team participation, integrity, problem solving, and overall positivity. These attributes, combined with the performance of one's duties and achievement of goals, will be equated with the quality of one's overall job performance.

The Assistant Wood Program Instructor supports the delivery of hands-on wood product manufacturing instruction for both high school students and adult participants. This role focuses on instructional support,
participant supervision, and shop operations under the direction of Lead Instructors and program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Instructional Support (Under Lead Instructor Direction)


• Support Lead Instructors during hands-on wood product manufacturing training by assisting with
  demonstrations, projects, and skill practice.


• Provide individual and small-group assistance to reinforce techniques, safety, and lesson objectives.


• Follow established curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional priorities set by Lead Instructors.


• Support differentiated learning by assisting participants with varying skill levels and learning needs.

Participant Supervision & Engagement

• Supervise students and adult participants during instructional time, transitions, and breaks.


• Reinforce program expectations related to safety, behavior, attendance, and participation.


• Support positive behavior management and refer ongoing concerns to the Lead Instructor or Program
  Director.

Shop Safety & Operations

• Assist with enforcing OSHA-aligned shop safety policies and procedures.


• Support shop organization, cleanliness, and material preparation.


• Assist with equipment setup, basic maintenance, and inventory tracking.

Program & Team Support

• Work collaboratively with Lead Instructors and volunteers to support daily operations.


• Provide day-to-day guidance and task coordination to volunteers as directed by the Lead Instructor.


• Support program activities, special projects, field trips, and events as assigned.


• Assist with manufacturing work, custom projects, or e-commerce production as directed.

Administrative Support

• Assist with attendance tracking, documentation, and basic reporting as assigned.


• Communicate observations related to participant progress or safety concerns to the Lead Instructor.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in woodworking, wood product manufacturing, or a related trade.


• Working knowledge of woodworking tools, machinery, and shop safety practices.


• Willingness to follow and enforce OSHA safety standards (training provided if needed).


• Ability to support instruction for both youth and adult learners.


• Strong teamwork, communication, and follow-through skills.


• U.S. work authorization required.