Program Instructor

About the role

Company Overview | Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower young people to become active participants in our democracy. We believe a strong democracy requires engagement by all citizens. Therefore, we seek to reach youth from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing. Since 1971, we have partnered with schools nationwide to serve more than one million students and educators through experiential programs in our nation’s capital and in local communities, professional development for educators, and curriculum and resource design.

Position Overview | Civic program instructors are passionate about history, politics, government, current public policy issues, and experiential education for diverse students in grades 6-12. They lead daily program components for groups of students from across the United States, using our nation’s capital as a living classroom. Note: This is an in-person position.

Responsibilities

• Each week, Close Up’s civic program instructors are a catalyst for engaging middle and high school students from across the country in experiential programs in Washington, D.C. (with opportunities to travel to New York City, Philadelphia, and other historical sites for day trips or local programs).
• Throughout each day, they hop on and off buses, guiding students through all program lessons and site visits in the D.C. area and other program locations.
• They lead an assigned “workshop” of 25 students over the course of the week as they have issue-centered discussions and deliberations; visit historical sites, monuments, museums, and government institutions; and attend meetings with policy experts and elected officials with the goal of empowering students for a life of active citizenship.
• Some weeks, an instructor may take on a support role for a program to help care for students who aren’t feeling well or help the program leader with other tasks.
• Instructors are responsible for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students can explore multiple perspectives and engage in respectful discourse across ideological differences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in political science, history, education, social science, or a related field).
• Proven public speaking skills, showcased through a brief teaching sample during the interview.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and connect with diverse groups of students.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt to dynamic program requirements.
• Authorization to work in the United States for any employer.
• Passage of a post-offer criminal background check according to federal regulations for working with students.

Pay

Compensation includes: An annualized salary of $41,592.

Benefits

• The initial contract period is from February 1 until June 25, 2027. At the conclusion of the initial contract period, there may be an opportunity to join the Foundation in a full-time/full-year role.
• All meals while working on student programs.
• Mass transit subsidy or free garage parking.
• Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50 per month).
• Paid sick days.
• Medical and dental insurance with low-cost premiums, vision coverage, and no-cost life/AD&D insurance.