Job Description

Job Location: Chicago , IL 60619
Salary Range: $20.00 - $35.00 Hourly

Position Title:       Summer Camp Instructor-Academic Success Program
Dept & Initiative:      02-2101
Reports to:        Director of Enrichment
Status:   Part-time; Seasonal/Temporary
Schedule: Monday – Friday, Flexible Thursday
Gary Comer Youth Center: Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to provide support for all of our youth to graduate from high school, prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago with a focus on Grand Crossing residents.  GCYC is the oldest and largest institution sitting on the Comer Education Campus which includes our organizational partners Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team, and Gary Comer Middle School. For more information, please visit: www.garycomeryouthcenter.org.
Comer Education Campus: With a comprehensive approach to education and youth development, the Comer Education Campus is devoted to guiding young people to and through college and into adult life. The campus constitutes a unique partnership between Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep, Gary Comer Middle School, and the college success initiative UtmostU. The campus serves over 2,000 youth from across Chicago’s South Side, offering out-of-school time enrichment, academic enhancement, and college success programs. Working with best-in-class partner organizations, the Comer Education Campus empowers young people with the tools they need for post-secondary and life success. For more information, please visit: http://comereducationcampus.org/

Position Summary: Seeking fun, innovative, curious, and non-oppressive teachers who believe in the impact of the classroom. The Summer Camp Instructor is responsible for supporting and furthering the social, emotional, and academic growth of youth through the Comer Education Campus.  As a member of the Comer College Preparation Team, Summer School Instructors will work to design and coordinate academic enrichment and curriculum at the Comer Education Campus.   We are seeking to fill several roles: Science, ELA, Foreign Language, and Math.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment to further ensure proper youth supervision and managing conflicts, conduct issues, and incidents.
- Provide leadership for GCYCs for middle school-aged youth. Serves as a role model for youth and the community.
- Provide direction and support for college interns and camp counselors assigned to the classroom.
- Build relationships with students’ parents/guardians by checking in regularly as students are dropped off.
- Design and implement project-based learning in keeping with the summer theme and description.
- Assist students of varying ability with classwork and projects.
- Provide engaging instruction to groups of students with varying academic levels
- Work closely to align academics, weekly schedule and SEL supports for Comer youth
- Regularly supervise events and trips designed to help develop cultural competence and college knowledge.
- Tracks participant attendance in programming with Salesforce.
- Contribute to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of all cultures or backgrounds.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additionally:
- Attends required staff meetings and trainings.
- Works with other staff to execute effective outreach and retention strategies.
- Assist in the distribution of program information and publications used to promote the
- programs and various enrichment programs as offered
- Works collaboratively in a team setting, serving the needs of youth.
- Is committed to the safety and development of all GCYC members.
- Supports the mission of GCYC.
- Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures.
Education & Skill Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience working with middle and high school-aged youth.
Core Competencies:
- Must possess genuine care and concern for middle school-aged youth
- Classroom management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive, and age-appropriate.
- Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles and conflict resolution strategies.
- Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders, and families in a respectful and
- culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication.
- Must enjoy working with teams, but can also work independently.
- Enjoys being the leader but is also confident enough to take directions from others.
- Demonstrates strong accuracy in all areas of work.
- Demonstrates understanding of the positive youth development philosophy.
Physical Work Requirements & Environment:
The GCYC environment is consistently bustling with youth and community members.  The Center’s work is fast-paced and varied.  Our work is done on site where our youth and families are.   Therefore, it is required that team members meet these requirements:
- Have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Possess the ability to walk during field trips and to complete building and program rounds.
- Be able to stand and move with youth during programs, field trips, and special events throughout the day.
- Must be able to ride various modes of transportation,n including school and coach buses, airplanes, cars, vans, and public transportation.
- Can operate in crowds or with small groups.
- Able to complete administrative work in a shared office space within a youth center.
- A flexible schedule for evening and some weekend hours is required during the school year.
- Summer hours have a more traditional work schedule.

Qualifications
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
- Must be able to initiate and finish projects. Adaptability and flexibility are key.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to multitask, troubleshoot, and problem-solve effectively.
- Strong computer skills, especially with the creation of presentations and MS Office Suite.
- Demonstration of cultural competency and dedication to working with youth, families, and
- community members in our care.