Title: Assistant Instructor, College First Program

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Learning and Engagement

Reports to: Manager, Science Career Continuum

Seasonal Full-time

Supervises: Students in College First Program

Position Overview:

The College First program is looking for an engaging teaching assistant with a background in STEM to support the lead instructor during the delivery of a college accredited summer course on environmental science topics. This position requires your collaboration with the principal instructor to help develop hands-on activities that support the curriculum. In addition, your role is to assist students during class time and help them navigate assignments and activities.

College First is a summer program designed to support the next generation of scholars within the STEM fields. The program looks to diversify higher education by recruiting students that are traditionally underrepresented and marginalized and provide them a unique hands-on learning summer experience. Students attend the program Monday-Friday and class is from 9am to 3pm. Instructor led lecture days are Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students are paired up with a mentor, who collaborates with them to develop a research project of their own. During Tuesday and Thursday’s mentor days, the instructor and you are not teaching and instead are expected to work together to develop and grade assignments, develop, and plan for the following weeks, and any other logistical work needed. During this time, instructor and TA are permitted to work remotely.

Responsibilities:

• Work Collaboratively with the College First instructor.
• Co-develop activities that support the curriculum and emphasize sustainability, environmental science, STEM skills, and scientific research.
• Lead youth-development activities and outdoor field investigations at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

• Help lead instructor monitor the College First students during group and independent learning times, ensuring they are following learning guidelines and expectations, reporting any issues to instructor and program manager.

• Assist students in preparing project presentations, which will be presented the last week of the program.
• Organize and keep track of student pre and post assessments and assist manager with program evaluation and reporting.

• Provide administrative support for program manager including scheduling of transportation, tracking loaned equipment, helping with onboarding of high school interns etc.

• Assist with other program activities as necessary.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• A minimum of one-year experience teaching science in either formal and/or informal education settings to high-school-aged-students.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, or relate field is required.
• Knowledge of student development theory, particularly as it pertains to first-generation, low-income, students of color.
• Previous experience integrating STEM topics in lesson plans and culturally responsive curriculum development.
• Administrative skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish).

Physical Demands:

Indoor and outdoor classroom setting. Frequent standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

*The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended.*

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.