STEM Coordinator

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

A minimum of 4 years of college with a degree in Education or STEM related fields of study
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
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.
Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive and age appropriate.
An ability to work with confidential material.
Successfully complete Safe From Harm training as established by The Salvation Army.

Nice To Haves

2 years experience in after school programming
2 years experience in youth engagement
Current CPR certification
CPR/First Aid Certification
Teaching experience in science, math, technology or elementary education or related fields
Ability to communicate in Spanish
Curriculum design and development experience

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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