STEM Coordinator

STEM Coordinator

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.

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.

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, 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

Education/Experience:

• 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

Qualifications:

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

Competencies:

• Must possess genuine care and concern for youth – especially pre-teens and teens.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Must be able to initiate and finish projects.
• 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.
• Must be able to take initiative and problem solve. Must be a creative thinker.
• Demonstrates understanding of the positive youth development philosophy.
• Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies.
• Must possess genuine care and concern for youth – especially pre-teens and teens.
• Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive and age appropriate.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Must be able to initiate and finish projects.
• Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication.
• An ability to work with confidential material.
• Successfully complete Safe From Harm training as established by The Salvation Army.

Position Limitations:

This individual will keep the Arts & Education Manager informed of all critical issues relating to his/her area of responsibility. They will adhere to all Army policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

Work Environment:

Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: 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.

Physical Demands:

This position is required to do light to moderate physical work. In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use equipment that is part of athletic and recreational programs. At times this employee is required to lift up to 40 pounds. The work environment for this position includes high levels of noise and flexibility in a constant changing environment.

Required Apparel:

Business Casual

Doing the Most Good:

Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need. We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.

The Salvation Army offers a competitive benefit package for eligible employees which may include the following medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, a company-funded defined contribution (pension) plan and generous time off policies.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources department.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Veterans/Disabled. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.