Job Summary

The Community College of Rhode Island invites applicants to apply as a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust System Cleaning Instructor within the Division of Workforce Partnerships.

The Division of Workforce Partnerships is seeking an experienced commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning professional to help build, refine, and deliver a short-term certification training program for commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaners. This program is being developed in partnership with the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal's Office in response to pending state legislation requiring certification for commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaners by January 1, 2029. The program will be built to launch in 2027.

The instructor will support the development and delivery of an approximately one-week training program that combines classroom instruction and hands-on training. The program will prepare incumbent workers and new entrants to safely inspect, clean, document, and service commercial kitchen exhaust systems in alignment with NFPA 96 requirements, state certification expectations, and industry best practices.

This position is part-time and based at CCRI workforce training locations, with schedules that may include day, evening, and/or weekend hours in response to employer and workforce needs. The program is expected to launch by early 2027 at the latest.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build, refine, and deliver a short-term certification training curriculum for commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaners.

• Provide classroom and hands-on instruction on commercial kitchen exhaust systems, including hoods, filters, ductwork, access panels, exhaust fans, and related components.

• Teach NFPA 96 requirements, applicable state expectations, industry standards, and best practices related to commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection, cleaning, documentation, and maintenance.

• Instruct students on fire hazards associated with grease accumulation, improper maintenance, poor cleaning practices, equipment protection failures, and failure to properly shut down or secure utilities.

• Teach proper cleaning sequence and procedures, beginning with system evaluation, pre-cleaning assessment, jobsite preparation, and equipment protection, followed by cleaning from the roof fan down through the system, final inspection, and completion of the cleaning process.

• Demonstrate proper pressure washing techniques and cleaning procedures for hoods, filters, ductwork, access panels, exhaust fans, and other system components.

• Train students in the identification, selection, inspection, and proper use of tools, equipment, cleaning chemicals, and personal protective equipment required for commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning.

• Provide instruction on safety procedures, including lockout/tagout practices, utility shutdown procedures, working at heights, fall prevention, hazard identification, chemical safety, and safe jobsite practices.

• Teach inspection techniques, pre-cleaning assessments, deficiency identification, and proper documentation of service needs.

• Incorporate real-world case examples and lessons learned, including fire risks caused by improper cleaning, incomplete service, equipment protection failures, and utility shutdown failures.

• Support hands-on training using a mock or non-active hood system setup designed to simulate real commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning conditions, including roof and interior components where available.

• Identify, recommend, and support the setup of tools, equipment, chemicals, PPE, and training props needed to deliver safe, hands-on instruction, including mock or non-active hood systems, roof fan components, filters, ductwork, access panels, pressure washing equipment, containment materials, and documentation tools.

• Teach documentation requirements, including service reports, inspection reports, deficiency notices, certification records, and customer-facing documentation.

• Train students in customer communication, professional service practices, jobsite conduct, and expectations when working with restaurants, commercial kitchens, employers, and regulatory stakeholders.

• Develop lesson plans, instructional materials, competency-based assessments, skills checklists, and practical evaluations.

• Maintain detailed records of student attendance, progress, skill attainment, assessment results, and final evaluations.

• Collaborate with CCRI program leadership, the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal's Office, employer partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the curriculum aligns with state requirements, industry needs, and worker certification expectations.

• Support the development of a condensed refresher course for workers required to renew certification every three years.

• Maintain a safe, clean, and fully operational training environment, ensuring proper use, maintenance, storage, and accountability of tools, equipment, chemicals, and training materials.

• Utilize a variety of instructional strategies to support adult learners, incumbent workers, and students with varying levels of field experience.

• Promote student retention and successful completion through coaching, feedback, and practical support.

• Adhere to ADA guidelines and CCRI policies regarding student accommodations.

• Participate in instructor trainings and professional development as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on working knowledge cleaning commercial kitchen exhaust hoods

• Documentation: Evidence supporting that 3-year working knowledge, examples: employment records, training records, certifications, company records, or other verifiable documentation.

• NFPA 96 knowledge: Working knowledge of NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

• Knowledge of: Exhaust duct construction, Exhaust fans, Required openings, Access panels conditions, Access requirements throughout the exhaust system

• Knowledge of the complete proper commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning procedure from start to finish, including preparation, cleaning, inspection, and completion/documentation.

• Demonstrated experience in commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning, inspection, maintenance, or related fire prevention/service work.

• Knowledge of commercial kitchen exhaust system components, including hoods, filters, ductwork, access panels, exhaust fans, and related equipment.

• Understanding of grease-related fire hazards and the importance of proper cleaning, inspection, equipment protection, utility shutdown procedures, and safe work practices.

• Ability to teach hands-on skills, safety procedures, and step-by-step cleaning practices to adult learners and incumbent workers.

• Experience training, mentoring, supervising, or instructing others in a field-based, shop-based, employer-based, or classroom setting.

• Ability to contribute to curriculum development, lesson planning, skills-based training design, and competency-based assessment.

• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office, instructional tools, digital communication platforms, and training documentation systems.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and classroom management skills.

• Commitment to preparing workers to meet state certification requirements and perform commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning safely, professionally, and effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching in workforce development, postsecondary education, adult education, apprenticeship, or employer-based training settings.

• Experience developing or launching new training programs, certification programs, or competency-based curriculum.

• Familiarity with employer-driven training models and short-term workforce certification programs.

• Experience working with diverse student populations and incumbent workers.

• Experience developing hands-on training simulations, mock setups, or practical skills assessments.

• Experience selecting, maintaining, and safely using commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning tools, chemicals, PPE, pressure washing equipment, containment systems, and related training equipment.

• Knowledge of Rhode Island fire safety requirements, inspection practices, or regulatory expectations related to commercial kitchen exhaust systems.

• Experience with customer service, professional communication, jobsite documentation, deficiency reporting, and professional service practices in a commercial service environment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment visa including student visas.