Culinary Instructor
- Job Title
- Culinary Instructor
- Job ID
- 27650342
- Location
- Chicago, IL 60619
- Other Location
- Description
-
Reports to: Culinary Arts Program Manager
Status: Part Time, Permanent, Hourly
Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 3-7pm, some weekends for special events
Gary Comer Youth Center: Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to provide the support for all of our youth to graduate from high school, prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago with a focus on Grand Crossing residents. GCYC is the oldest and largest institution sitting on the Comer Education Campus which includes our organizational partners Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team and Gary Comer Middle School. For more information, please visit: www.garycomeryouthcenter.org.
Comer Education Campus: With a comprehensive approach to education and youth development, the Comer Education Campus is devoted to guiding young people to and through college and into adult life. The campus constitutes a unique partnership between Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep, Gary Comer Middle School, and the college success initiative UtmostU. The campus serves over 2,000 youth from across Chicago’s South Side, offering out-of-school time enrichment, academic enhancement, and college success programs. Working with best-in-class partner organizations, the Comer Education Campus empowers young people with the tools they need for post-secondary and life success. For more information, please visit: http://comereducationcampus.org/
Position Summary
The culinary department at GCYC is looking for an engaging and experienced culinary instructor to take the lead on our middle school culinary and nutrition programming and help to build our teen and family programming. We focus on teaching culinary arts as a life skill for young people to take with them as they develop into productive adults and as a legitimate career path worth exploring. Curriculum is focused on culinary basics and kitchen safety, functional nutrition, and culinary arts as a creative pursuit. Working closely with the Urban Agriculture department, programming incorporates dialogue around sustainability, local food systems, and farm-to-fork practices.
The instructor will help to continue to develop curriculum for the portfolio of culinary programming offered to our members. Curriculum is based on organizational standards, culinary basics and safety, and nutritional science and learning. Programming primarily runs Monday to Friday, with some special events and field trips occurring on weekends.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
· Responsible for composing curriculum aligned with the goals and values of GCYC and the GCYC Culinary Department
· Responsible for the maintenance and tracking of program materials and inventories for programs in their purview
· Responsible for the prep and planning of daily lessons and projects
· Classroom management - Independently manage and operate classroom/lessons with youth in a working industrial kitchen
· Willing to seek out external opportunities to enrich programming with field trips, guest speakers, special events, etc
· Responsible for promotion and recruitment of program participants within GCYC members to maintain class capacity
· Planning of special events/activities and specialty programming for camps, out of school days and holidays
· Responsible for reporting and recording of program data as needed (e.g. daily attendance, program plans and evaluations, photos and documentation of work and outputs, etc)
· Responsible for maintaining a monthly average daily attendance of 80%
· Assist in the development of other written communication such as donor appeals, marketing collateral, and web content
· Manage initiatives related to the tracking and reporting of organizational outcomes
· Develop goals, logic models and outcomes for grant submissions
· Other tasks and duties as assigned
Miscellaneous:
• Responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment to further ensure proper youth supervision and managing conduct issues and incidents.
• Attends required staff meetings and trainings.
• Works with other staff to execute effective outreach, recruitment and retention strategies.
• Responsible for accurate data collection and data entry for grant and program compliance.
• Supports the mission of GCYC.
• Works collaboratively in a team setting serving the needs of youth.
• Is committed to the safety and development of all GCYC members.
• Takes on other duties as needed.
• Serves as a role model for youth and community.
• Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures.
Qualifications:
· Ability to deliver age appropriate programs and activities that lead to positive youth development in the areas of leadership and social development along with civic engagement. This can include empowerment programs or special interest clubs embracing various forms of identity. Additionally, cultural education, life skills programs and financial literacy programs can be a part of the coordinator’s menu of programs.
· Ability to report outcome measurement and evaluation activities related to civic engagement, social and leadership development programming and efforts.
· Ability to develop program plans and curriculums.
· Must have Food Handler’s Certification
· Comprehension of and ability to convey important safety requirements, practices and standards necessary in a working industrial kitchen
· Availability to work afterschool hours, occasional weekends and holidays
· Ability to work in a team and collaborate across departments and program areas
· Willingness to go above and beyond
· High standards and expectations of yourself, your young people and your coworkers
Education & Skill Requirements
· Minimum of 2 years teaching experience, preferably in the afterschool environment with middle school and or high school aged youth
· Culinary school or professional culinary industry experience preferred
· Ability to use Microsoft Office365, Microsoft Suite, and general technology proficiency
Core Competencies
· Must possess genuine care and concern for youth – especially pre-teens and teens.
· Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive and age appropriate.
· 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 strong accuracy in all areas of work.
· Must possess adaptive vitality.
· Demonstrates understanding of the positive youth development philosophy.
· Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies.
· Must demonstrate cultural competency, dedication to working with youth, families and community members in our care.
· Must have basic computer literacy skills – including Microsoft Office, independent use of the internet and ability to learn and properly utilize software systems.
Physical Work Requirements & Environment:
The GCYC environment is consistently bustling with youth and community members. The Center’s work is fast paced and varied. Our work is done on site where our youth and families are. Therefore, it is required that team members meet these requirements:
· Have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
· Possess the ability to walk during field trips and to complete building and program rounds.
· Be able to stand and move with youth during programs, field trips and special events throughout the day.
· Must be able to ride various modes of transportation including school and coach buses, airplanes, cars, vans and public transportation.
· Can operate in crowds or with small groups.
· Able to complete administrative work in a shared office space within a youth center.
· A flexible schedule for evening and some weekend hours is required during school year. Summer hours have a more traditional work schedule.
· Majority of work is conducted in an industrial kitchen with exposure to hot and cold elements
· Operation of general kitchen equipment is required
· Travel between buildings and to offsite locations may be required with exposure to outside elements
Acknowledgement:
I have received, reviewed and fully understand the job description for this position. I further understand that I am responsible for the satisfactory execution of the essential functions described therein, under all conditions as described.