After School Matters is hiring: Welding Instructor 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 400,000 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 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 instructors to begin working in Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024. After School Matters is reviewing applications on a rolling basis. 

After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to teach Welding programs for 12-30 high school participants (12:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20 for 2024-2025. 

The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to the content area. An instructor will expose 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 program planning and budget creation. 
 

Instructors must have a program curriculum plan. See ASM Program Planner 

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.  This role is for the North/Northwest Branch at the 3435 N. Cicero Ave location. 

 

Program Sessions and Schedules: 

The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows: 

• Fall: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). 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. 

• Fall programs begin in late September or early October 2024

• Spring: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). 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. 

• Spring programs begin in late February 2025

• Daytime during School Year (Fall & Spring): 9am-2pm. Exact program days are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met. 

• Limited opportunities for Saturday only programs are available. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

The After School Matters welding instructor will be responsible for educating a diverse population of teenagers methods of GMAW, SMAW and GTAW, with a strong coinciding element of welding sciences and associated skills needed for fabrication and manufacturing methods. 
 

With safety as a paramount of program activity, this instructor will guide a 6-10 week session for teens offering an introduction to welding in a fabrication setting. The program will introduce teens to combination welding processes as well as blueprint reading and math for welders, safety regulation adherence, career pathways, weld prep/grinding/polishing, and weld position procedures. 
 

Young people participating in this program will be encouraged to learn experientially and collaboratively. Differing from a certification program, emphasis will be placed on the learning time happening behind the welding hood. The instructor will develop, plan and implement high quality content related field trips, master classes, events and guest visits to enhance instruction and training.  

Instructors will be expected to participate in the recruitment, interview and selection process of teen program participants. Instructors will also be expected to participate in planning and program dates such as instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Supervise teens at an average of 12:1, instructor: teen ratio 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Comprehensive knowledge of safety guidelines in a weld shop 

• A thorough understanding of combination welding processes and associated prep/finishing skills 

• Knowledge of aluminum, steel and stainless welding processes 

• An understanding of the science of welding 

• Thorough understanding of cutting material and weld prep 

• Ability to read and understand technical drawings or blueprints 

• Familiarity with schools and career pathways in welding industries 

• Interest in working with teens 

Qualifications: 

• Associates Degree in a related vocational program, Applied Science in Welding Technology, or Applied Industrial Technology preferred, equivalent professional experience accepted. Certifications also accepted in lieu of a university degree.Experience working in a field relevant to the content area is required. 

• 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. 

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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