Assistant Instructor Chicago Greencorps Youth Program

The Greencorps Chicago Youth Program (GCYP) is a summer youth employment program, administered by the Chicago Department of Transportation and managed by WRD Environmental. GCYP staff teams work out of various Chicago Public Schools and community-based locations. Significant portions of the program are taught outdoors at a variety of project sites throughout the City of Chicago, such as community gardens, Chicago Park Districts, and Forest Preserves. Site teams consist of a Youth Program Instructor and two Assistant Instructors. The Assistant Instructors will spend the majority of their time performing administrative tasks, supporting Youth Program Instructors in executing the Greencorps curriculum, and empowering youth through social emotional skills development, workplace readiness training, and the exploration of post-secondary pathways. The GCYP staff team will work alongside CPS staff and external partners to ensure youth have a safe and transformative summer learning experience. A successful candidate will possess a combination of facilitation, collaboration and positive youth development skills and a genuine passion for supporting youth in their personal and educational growth.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Instructor include:

• Assist and support the Youth Program Instructor in facilitating Greencorps curriculum
• Lead activities and lessons that engage youth in developing career readiness and social emotional skills
• Provide a positive environment for youth to explore their academic, career, and other post-secondary interests
• Support and provide daily oversight of youth participants
• Recognize social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of youth participants
• Co-facilitate group bicycle rides and field trips safely
• Complete and submit required tracking reports, timesheets, photos and other paperwork and clerical duties
• Communicate with management regularly through email & phone
• Exhibit appropriate interpersonal skills and professional behavior to support a positive workplace environment

Qualifications for this position include:

• Experience working with youth ages 16-19, highly preferred
• Capable and willing to ride a bicycle in the City of Chicago
• Education, training, or experience in horticulture, environmental science, community engagement, social work, psychology or related fields
• Experience teaching, mentoring, and/or coaching in a formal and/or informal setting
• Comfortable working outside planting, mulching, and watering
• Social perceptiveness and empathy and experienced with Trauma-Informed Care approaches
• Culturally competent and able to relate and communicate with diverse populations and groups
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Computer skills (Google Drive, email communication, etc.)
• Must be at least 20 years of age
• 1st Aid & CPR Certification, or willingness to certify before deadline
• Must complete and pass CPS fingerprinting and a criminal background check at hiring
• Work as a team to collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively to deliver a high quality program, achieve program goals, and complete all tasks

Position details:

• Seasonal position from June 10 - August 2, 2024
• Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 3:00pm, 32.5 hours per week with the opportunity of additional hours
• Compensation is dependent on experience, starting at $23 per hour
• Employment is through Signature Staff Resources, LLC and managed by WRD Environmental
• Two (2) weeks of paid training and six (6) weeks of youth programming

To apply, complete these two steps: email your resume to gcypoffice@gmail.com with the subject line "Resume_Last Name_First Name" and complete this online application at bit.ly/GCYPasst. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled, however priority will be given to applications received before April 30. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.