Sports and Recreation Leadership Instructor

Summary of Position: After School Matters is seeking Sport & Recreation Leadership instructors to begin working in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.

ASM is seeking committed, part-time instructors to facilitate in-person programs for 15-30 high school participants (15:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20. Youth enrolled in the program will engage in activities that will prepare them to be leaders in the sports and recreation field. The instructor will guide teens through a wide range of activities that will meet measurable programmatic outcomes.

Program activities include:

• Sports and recreation games

• Wellness activities

• Leadership opportunities

• Job readiness practices

The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to becoming a Chicago Park District: Summer Recreational Leader. An instructor will introduce teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable programmatic outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and will also manage operational pieces such as entering attendance.

Program Sessions and Schedules

The typical schedule for an in-person session is as follows:

• Recruitment: Instructors must complete onboarding requirements prior to approval to work. Recruitment begins the month before program starts.

• 75 synchronistic instructional hours (7.5 hours per week)

• Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development, and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Instructional: Plan and facilitate a 75-hour Sports and Recreation curriculum, including field trips and guest speakers

• Create clear structure and support for teens, including agenda setting, creating group norms, and abide by ASMs supportive behavior management plan and incident reporting procedures

• Lead the teens through the planning and implementation of an end of session demonstration of learning (showcase)

• Administrative: Conduct teen interviews and select teens by the roster deadline, complete data entry including interview outcomes, daily attendance, teen checklist support, program reports, teen survey administration

• Prepare program budgets in accordance with ASM guidelines

• Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, teens: instructor ratio

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise teens at an average of 15:1, instructor: teen ratio

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated practical knowledge of content area

• Experience working with teens, preferred

• Ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders including teens, participants, parents, ASM program staff, vendors, etc

• Intermediate computer skills, working in Google Suite

• Commitment to cultural competency of our teams and their communities

Qualifications:

• Ability to create a diverse range of recreational activities ranging from sports and wellness to arts and crafts is strongly preferred.

• 2 years of experience in youth development or related field preferred.

• Previous experience coaching youth in athletics preferred.

• Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods is required.

• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred.

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required.