Organización sin fin de lucro
Teaching Designer - Youth-Led Urban Design
Descripción
Descripción
Territory NFP is an innovative place-based urban design studio where young people are building better futures for themselves and their communities through the hands on practice of design. Join Territory's creative program team as a Teaching Designer to facilitate our youth led advanced design studio. You will be sharing expertise, modeling the design process, and working in collaboration with youth ages 16-19 to create inspiring public spaces in the Austin community on the west side of Chicago.
What you will do
- Co-create and deliver curriculum centered on youth-led urban design, incorporating Territory’s core values of youth agency, community partnerships, design equity, adventurousness, and positive tangible impact.
- Collaborate with knowledge partners as co-teachers in the studio and in the community
- Facilitate hands-on workshops including site analysis, precedent investigation, drawing skills, prototyping, and modular fabrication
- Support youth in articulating design ideas, creating visual presentations, and producing design artifacts
- Collaborate closely with the design studio staff and project consultants to align youth design outputs with feasibility and construction requirements
- Develop clear lesson plans and session goals; provide documentation of student learning, design process, and outcomes
- Foster an inclusive, creative, and youth-centered studio culture
What we are looking for
- At least one year of experience teaching design, architecture, landscape architecture, visual arts, community planning, or related disciplines
- Facilitation skills with youth ages 14-24 demonstrating a commitment to supporting youth voice and agency
- Experience with community-based or participatory design practices
- Portfolio demonstrating both creative practice and youth-engagement experience
- Ability to translate complex design ideas into accessible, hands-on activities
- Territory is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Austin (Westside) Chicago residents are encouraged to apply.
Why This Role
As a Teaching Designer at Territory, the stakes are real — the design teams are envisioning and building real projects; the context is real — you are working with youth, neighbors and partners who are invested in the work; and the long term impact is real — your investment opens the door for the next generation to lead.
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- TimelineSubmission deadline: Rolling until filled
- Site visits and interviews: July and August 2026
- Contract Start: August 31, 2026
- Studio Program Session: September-December 2026. Option for contract extension
Background checks required. This position is funded by a grant from the State of Illinois. Contract will depend on confirmation of qualifications.
Nivel de Idiomas
Conversational Spanish helpful, not required
Ubicación
Storefront
Cómo aplicar
Applications accepted by email only. Include the following in your email:
Subject Line: Teaching Designer – insert your name
Email body: Letter of interest and approach to youth-centered design
Attachments:
- Resume or CV including relevant youth experience, educational experience and practice
- Portfolio of design work
- Teaching samples
- Fall program availability
This job is on site in person only. In person interview required. You will be asked to lead a short activity to demonstrate your design facilitation approach. You will lead this activity with youth who are current program participants. Two work references and one personal reference required.
Evaluation Criteria
Teaching Designer applicants will be evaluated based on the job expectations listed above. Additional considerations include:
- Demonstrated commitment to equity-centered design, including access, opportunity, and excellence.
- Experience in youth-engagement, community-based development, urban design, or educational settings.
- Quality and relevance of past work.
- Ability to communicate clearly with youth, partners, and community stakeholders.
