STEM Coordinator

Location: Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

Reports to: Arts & Education Manager

Position Ranking: Part Time Non-Exempt
Pay Range: $25.00 (this is a grant funded position)

About the Role

The STEM Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and teaching the STEM afterschool program for ages 6-11 students. Primary responsibilities include program instruction, curriculum development and revision, and materials management.

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center of Chicago exists to express the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army through a safe, enriching, and sacred environment where all individuals have access to opportunities to reach their physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potential. The Vision of the Chicago Kroc Center is to impact individuals, families and seniors of the Southside while building community, promoting excellence, motivating wellness, teaching character, and encouraging faith.

Responsibilities

• Program Coordination:
  • Coordinate program logistics
  • Assist Tutors with STEM instruction
  • Create, purchase, develop, and maintain detailed inventory and organizational system for all materials, equipment supplies, and lesson plans
• Program Development:
  • Maintain and continue to develop a comprehensive curriculum in STEM education for 6th-8th grade students
  • Ensure curriculum content is engaging, student-centered, inquiry-based, scientifically accurate, and age-appropriate
  • Create a balance of all categories of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in the curriculum
  • Add opportunities for students to apply STEM topics to environmental stewardship efforts
• Program Instruction:
  • Establish a safe, healthy, supportive, and collaborative learning environment for students
  • Collaborate with middle school teachers to align STEM curriculum with their classroom instruction
  • Align activities with student interests and allow for flexibility in content week to week
  • Maintain a personal knowledge of the evolving field of science and STEM education theory and trends, hands-on and inquiry-based education, and other pertinent educational philosophy and use this to continue to grow and develop the STEM program
• Other duties, as assigned

Requirements

• A minimum of 4 years of college with a degree in Education or STEM related fields of study
• 2 years experience in after school programming preferred
• 2 years experience in youth engagement preferred
• Current CPR certification preferred
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• At least one year K-8 formal or informal teaching experience
• Knowledge of inquiry-based learning
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to provide exceptional customer service
• Self-motivated, team oriented, and creative
• Positive, flexible, and friendly
• Ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in science, math, technology or elementary education or related fields
• Ability to communicate in Spanish
• Curriculum design and development experience

Skills

• Genuine care and concern for youth – especially pre-teens and teens
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to initiate and finish projects
• Effective communication with youth, co-workers, stakeholders, and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Leadership skills and ability to take directions from others
• Initiative and problem-solving skills
• Creative thinking
• Understanding of positive youth development philosophy
• Understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies
• Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive, and age-appropriate
• Ability to work with confidential material
• Successfully complete Safe From Harm training as established by The Salvation Army

Work Environment

• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors
• Resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others’ property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates
• Support the Mission of the Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact, and colleague with respect and dignity and without discrimination of any kind
• Light to moderate physical work, including lifting up to 40 pounds
• Use of equipment that is part of athletic and recreational programs
• High levels of noise and flexibility in a constantly changing environment

Required Apparel: Business Casual