Position Title: Athletic Instructor

Dept & Initiative: Sports and Recreation -1300

Reports to: Athletic Coordinator

Status: Part Time, Hourly, Permanent)

Schedule: Mid Day to Evening, varies based on programming needs

About the Comer Education Campus
The Comer Education Campus has been recognized as one of the most unique youth-serving organizations in the nation. Our mission is to help young people prepare to be well rounded global citizens who are ready for college and careers. We primarily serve youth in middle and high schools, while providing employment opportunities and counseling supports to our alumni.

Located in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, the campus is anchored by the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep High School and Middle School. Programming is offered in three primary categories: academics, enrichment and college and career preparation. Together we serve nearly 2,000 young people annually. For more information, please visit: http://comereducationcampus.org/  

Position Summary

GCYC is looking for a dynamic, energetic youth development professional to serve in the essential role of Athletics Instructor. The Athletic Instructor plans and delivers engaging programming, activities and events for high school and middle school members in the area of sports and recreation. The ideal candidate has a background in athletics and health. The Athletic Instructor is a catalyst and ambassador for health and wellness initiatives at GCYC and creates unique opportunities for the Comer community to learn more about the importance of adopting a healthy and active lifestyle.

The programming run and supervised by the Athletic Instructor happens primarily in the after school hours: afternoons and evenings. With two shifts per week ending at 9pm and once a month working until midnight for open gym events.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

· Plan and implement athletic programming on a year round basis to include skill development clinics in football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and fitness.

· Develops, implements and evaluates sports and fitness related quality programing and activities to achieve specific goals and outcome measurement.

· Drafts and collects detailed records, program statistics and produces reports with respect to volunteers and participant assessments for sports and fitness programs

· Writes reports and articles, and produces program marketing materials routinely and as needed.

· Maintains sports equipment inventory.

· Responsible for the recruitment and retention of program participants, with a target average daily attendance at or exceeding 80%

· Seeks out and maintains partnerships and opportunities to grow and develop their programming

· Creates lessons and opportunities for sports and recreation to hone and teach life skills

· Manages classroom through positive youth development practices

· Other 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 outcomes, internal and external competences and skills in the areas of sports, fitness and recreation.

· Ability to develop program plans and curriculums that are intentional, research backed and measurable.

· Strong knowledge of rules, regulations, and strategy of various sports.

· Self-directed and motivated, able to prioritize goals and tasks, exercise efficient time management.

· Ability to exercise independent judgment in assigned area of responsibility.

· Ability to supervise youth and influence peers to act.

· 2+ years experience in after school programming or youth coaching

· 2+ years experience in youth engagement

· Current CPR certification preferred

Education & Skill Requirements

· Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with others, including Sports Instructors, parents and community partners.

· Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills necessary to interact with internal and external customers.

· Positive, organized, active, innovative and creative in your approach to working with youth.

· Energetic and enthusiastic about youth development theory and practice.

· Seen by youth as approachable and a valuable source of advice, even in matters not directly related to the course.

· Ability to stimulate, direct and pace instruction to evoke wonder and encourage consistent participation.

· Is consistently well prepared, provides clear objectives and makes difficult topics easy to understand.

· Is sensitive to youth’s motivation and differentiates instruction according to the various activity and ability levels of youth.

· Uses a strengths based approach to provide consistent and critical feedback to youth.

· Uses feedback from youth and coaching from others to assess and improve instruction.

· Is goal oriented, data driven and outcomes focused in your work.

Core Competencies

 

Embrace/demonstrate the values of the Comer Education Campus:

• Ø Youth Power
• Ø Innovation
• Ø Wellbeing
• Ø Community Commitment
• Ø Equity and Inclusion
• Ø Joy

· 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.

· Physically capable to run, jump and play consistently with youth for 3 hours or more.

· Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including outdoors for 3 or more hours per day.

· Possess the ability to stand and walk for long periods during field trips and group outings.

· Be able to stand and move with youth during special events.

· 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.