ComEd Youth Ambassador Instructor (Energy Engineering Instructor)

After School Matters provides Chicago high school teens with high quality, after-school and summer opportunities to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Since 1991, more than 350,000 teens have participated in our hands-on, project-based after-school and summer programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Programs take place at locations throughout the city including Chicago public high schools, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library locations, community organizations, downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, in Belmont Cragin at our Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters, and in the Pullman community at the new Gately Center for After School Matters. For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:

After School Matters is seeking temporary, part-time instructors to teach its ComEd Youth Ambassadors programs during the summer session for 15 to 30 high school participants between the ages of 14 to 20. The typical schedule for summer is as follows: 

Summer 2021: 6 weeks, daily Monday through Thursday or Friday (based upon the program model), four instructional hours per day. Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. (NOTE: Summer 2021 programs may run remotely or in a hybrid version.) 

Instructors will design and deliver an energy program for youth. The program will empower high school teens to become experts and advocates of efficient energy use in their communities. Teens will lead and design outreach activities with instructor support, thereby gaining critical leadership, youth voice, and community engagement skills. Teens will also attend career panels with scientists, engineers, and industry leaders that work in the energy field throughout Chicago. 

ComEd Youth Ambassadors Primary Focus: Teens will learn about ComEd’s smart grid, the installation and use of smart meters across the city of Chicago, and ComEd’s energy efficiency and sustainability programs. In addition, teens will learn about beneficial electrification as they explore ways to reduce or eliminate fossil fuels using electricity to power devices.   

The optimal candidate will have a passion and skill for science, technology, engineering, math and youth development. 

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement an engaging and hands-on energy management curriculum that emphasizes community engagement and is based on After School Matters program guidelines. 
• Organize and plan community outreach opportunities with youth to raise awareness of energy management. 
• Intentionally support critical youth development skills, including leadership development; community building; real-world and experiential learning; public speaking; youth voice and agency. 
• Guide student outreach presentations towards a culminating event at the end of the program. 
• Provide instruction in, and lead teen participants though, inquiry-based discovery methods, including but not limited to, Instructor demonstrations, hands-on activities, research, oral presentations, etc. 
• Establish and maintain a rigorous and cooperative learning environment where students flourish taking in account varied learning strategies and best practices that address diverse abilities and backgrounds 
• Throughout the session, build multiple STEM projects with students through a collaborative, integrative approach 
• Intentionally expose teen participants to the varied STEM professions 
• Attend all planning and program dates, including: Instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions 
• Participate in the recruitment, interview, and selection process of participants 
• Maintain a safe, engaging, and positive environment for program participants 
• Provide supervision during program field trips and other youth engagement opportunities 
• Manage and track program activities such as attendance, interview outcomes, enrollment, evaluation surveys, and pertinent student records in an online data tracking system (CitySpan). 
• Report all problems or concerns and program updates to After School Matters Program Specialist to maintain consistent lines of communication throughout the program session 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math; preferred but not required 
• Content area knowledge in energy, physics, engineering, math, or a related field 
• Experience working with issues of energy management and conservation 
• Experience planning and organizing outreach events 
• Demonstrated ability to teach formal and informal technique in one of the relevant disciplines in group settings with a minimum class of 15 students 
• Be knowledgeable of the relationship between Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and real-world experiences 
• Broad knowledge of relevant STEM terms and definitions 
• Enthusiastic about STEM and teaching through an integrative model 
• Experience working with groups of people (teenagers and adults) 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Must be organized and possess a strong attention to detail 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• 15 to 30 teen participants 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

How to Apply:

Submit a cover letter indicating whether you are applying for the Peoples Gas instructor position and resume at https://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply 

EEO:

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.