After School Matters is hiring: Sports and Recreation Leadership in Chicago

After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. 

Thirty years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 350,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.  

We offer paid apprenticeships and internships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).  Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park.   

Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.  

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org. 

Summary of Position:  

After School Matters is seeking Sport & Recreation Leadership instructors to begin working in Fall 2024.  

After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to facilitate in-person programs for 15-30 high school participants (15:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20. Youth enrolled in the program will engage in activities that will prepare them to be leaders in the sports and recreation field. The instructor will guide teens through a wide range of activities that will meet measurable programmatic outcomes. 

Program activities include: 

• Sports and recreation games 

• Wellness activities 

• Leadership opportunities 

• Job readiness practices 

• Arts & crafts, nature, and more! 

The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to becoming a Chicago Park District: Summer Recreational Leader. An instructor will introduce teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable programmatic outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as entering attendance. 

After School Matters has four program branches: North/Northwest, South/Southwest, Downtown, and Program Supports (special initiatives). Please note that Interstate-55 is an approximate dividing line between our North/Northwest and South/Southwest branches. 

Program Sessions and Schedules:

The typical schedule for an in-person session is as follows: 

• Recruitment: Instructors must complete onboarding requirements prior to approval to work. Recruitment begins the month before program starts. 

• Fall session begins September 30, 2024: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday 

• 75 synchronistic instructional hours (7.5 hours per week) 

• Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Expose a diverse group of teen participants to various facets of content area-specific industry while fostering a positive, safe, and collaborative atmosphere for all teen participants. 

• Maintain knowledge of current industry trends, technology and concepts 

• Prepare, organize, and supervise interactive, teen-led activities on content area 

• Develop, plan, and implement high-quality related field trips, master classes, events, and guest visits to enhance instruction and training 

• Provide supervision during program field trips and other youth engagement opportunities 

• Report all problems or concerns and program updates to After School Matters Program Specialist and Chicago Park District Program and Event Coordinators to maintain consistent lines of communication throughout the program session 

• 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 teen program participants 

• Manage and track program activities such as attendance, interview outcomes, enrollment, evaluation surveys, and pertinent student records in an online data tracking system (CitySpan). 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratio 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Demonstrated practical knowledge of content area 

• Creative problem-solving skills 

• Customer service skills; ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders (teen participants, parents, ASM & Chicago Park District programs staff, vendors, etc.) 

• Cultural competence 

Qualifications:

• Ability to create a diverse range of recreational activities ranging from sports and wellness to arts and crafts is strongly preferred. 

• 2 years of experience in youth development or related field preferred. 

• Previous experience coaching youth in athletics preferred. 

• Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods is required. 

• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred. 

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required. 

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 stand for prolonged periods of time for programs that take place outside of a conventional classroom space. 

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 not exposed to weather conditions. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. 

• Social distancing and masks will be required during program hours when working with all-ages of youth in park district facilities. 

How to Apply:

Apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and application here: 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. 

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