Job Title

Summary of Position:u00a0u00a0We areu00a0seekingu00a0a passionate and knowledgeable Gardening Instructor to lead our teen gardening program. The Gardening Instructor willu00a0be responsible foru00a0educating 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.u00a0 After School Matters is seeking instructors to begin working in Summer 2026. After School Matters is reviewing applications on a rolling basis.u00a0 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 programmaticu00a0outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation.u00a0 Instructors must have a program curriculum plan.u00a0See ASM Program Planner (u00a0 Program Sessions and Schedules:u00a0 + Summer: Programming will run from June 22, 2026 to August 7, 2026, Monday through Thursday.u00a0Additionalu00a0hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professionalu00a0developmentu00a0and meetings.u00a0 Major Duties and Responsibilities:u00a0 + Gardening Education: Teach teens the fundamentals of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, growing, and harvesting fruits and vegetables.u00a0 + Greenhouse Management: Oversee the care and maintenance of the greenhouse, including managing plant health, watering schedules, and environmental controls.u00a0 + Holistic Gardening Practices: Introduce and implement holistic gardening methods that support plant health, environmental sustainability, and personal well-being.u00a0 + Raised Beds: Manage andu00a0maintainu00a0the raised garden beds, ensuring they are productive and well-maintained throughout the growing season.u00a0 + 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.u00a0 + Student Engagement: Foster a positive and engaging atmosphere for teens, encouraging their participation and interest in gardening and environmental stewardship.u00a0 + Safety and Maintenance: Ensure all gardening activities are conductedu00a0safely, andu00a0maintain equipment and tools in good working condition.u00a0 + Student Engagement: Foster a positive and engaging atmosphere for teens, encouraging their participation and interest in gardening and environmental stewardship.u00a0 + Safety and Maintenance: Ensure all gardening activities are conductedu00a0safely, andu00a0maintain equipment and tools in good working condition.u00a0 + The instructor will develop,u00a0planu00a0and implement high quality content relatedu00a0fieldu00a0trips, master classes,u00a0eventsu00a0and guest visits to enhance instruction and training.u00a0u00a0 + Instructors will be expected tou00a0participateu00a0in the recruitment,u00a0interviewu00a0and selection process of teen program participants. Instructors will also be expected tou00a0participateu00a0in planning and program dates such as instructor orientation, professional development workshops,u00a0meetingsu00a0and other required sessions.u00a0 Supervisory Responsibilities:u00a0 + Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratiou00a0 Knowledge,u00a0Skillsu00a0and Abilities:u00a0u00a0 + Strong understanding of gardening techniques, greenhouse management, and holistic gardening practices.u00a0 + Commitment to diversity and inclusion + Interest in working with teensu00a0 Qualifications:u00a0 + Relevant certifications or educational background in horticulture, environmental science, or a related field preferred.u00a0 + Certificationsu00a0alsou00a0accepted in lieu of a university degree.u00a0u00a0 + Proven experience in gardening, horticulture, or a related field.u00a0Previousu00a0experience teaching or working with teens is a plus.u00a0 + Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods isu00a0required.u00a0 + Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred.u00a0 + Commitment to diversity and inclusion isu00a0required.u00a0 + Genuine interest in environmental sustainability and a passion for working with young people.u00a0 Compensation:u00a0$20-27 salary/per hour, depending on applicable experience and educationu00a0 u00a0 About Us:u00a0After 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-five years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 450,000 Chicago teens and is the nationu2019s 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 $48M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. For more information, visit u00a0 EEO:u00a0After 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.u00a0 Powered by JazzHR