Gardening Instructor - After School Matters

After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

Thirty years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.

We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park.

Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:
We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Gardening Instructor to lead our teen gardening program. The Gardening Instructor will be responsible for educating students in the art and science of gardening, including the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, the maintenance of our greenhouse, and the implementation of holistic gardening practices. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about teaching teens and committed to promoting environmental sustainability.

• After School Matters is seeking instructors to begin working in, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025. After School Matters is reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
• After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to teach Art programs for 15-30 high school participants (12:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20 for 2024-2025.
• The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to the content area. An instructor will expose teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable programmatic outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation.
• Instructors must have a program curriculum plan. See ASM Program Planner
• After School Matters has four program branches: North/Northwest, South/Southwest, Downtown, and Program Supports (special initiatives). Please note that Interstate-55 is an approximate dividing line between our North/Northwest and South/Southwest branches. This role is for the North/Northwest Branch at the 3435 N. Cicero Ave location.

Program Sessions and Schedules:

The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows:

• Fall: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
  • Fall programs begin in late September 2024 

• Spring: 10 weeks, Monday through Friday (after school hours) and/or Saturday, 60-90 instructional hours (based upon the program model). Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
  • Spring programs begin in late February 2024

• Daytime during School Year (Fall & Spring): 9am-2pm. Exact program days are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.
• Limited opportunities for Saturday only programs are available.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Gardening Education: Teach teens the fundamentals of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, growing, and harvesting fruits and vegetables
• Greenhouse Management: Oversee the care and maintenance of the greenhouse, including managing plant health, watering schedules, and environmental controls. 
• Holistic Gardening Practices: Introduce and implement holistic gardening methods that support plant health, environmental sustainability, and personal well-being.
• Raised Beds: Manage and maintain the raised garden beds, ensuring they are productive and well-maintained throughout the growing season.
• Harvesting and Processing: Educate teens on the harvesting process, including when and how to harvest produce, and how to process and store the harvested goods.
• Student Engagement: Foster a positive and engaging atmosphere for teens, encouraging their participation and interest in gardening and environmental stewardship.
• Safety and Maintenance: Ensure all gardening activities are conducted safely, and maintain equipment and tools in good working condition.
• Student Engagement: Foster a positive and engaging atmosphere for teens, encouraging their participation and interest in gardening and environmental stewardship.
• Safety and Maintenance: Ensure all gardening activities are conducted safely, and maintain equipment and tools in good working condition.
• The instructor will develop, plan and implement high quality content related field trips, master classes, events and guest visits to enhance instruction and training.
• Instructors will be expected to participate in the recruitment, interview and selection process of teen program participants. Instructors will also be expected to participate in planning and program dates such as instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratio

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Qualifications:

• Relevant certifications or educational background in horticulture, environmental science, or a related field preferred.
• Certifications also accepted in lieu of a university degree.
• Proven experience in gardening, horticulture, or a related field. Previous experience teaching or working with teens is a plus.
• Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods is required.
• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required.
• Genuine interest in environmental sustainability and a passion for working with young people.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time for programs that take place outside of a conventional classroom space.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

How to Apply:

Apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and application here: https://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply

EEO:

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.

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