Seasonal Program Specialist

After 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 years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 350,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s 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 $40M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

Summary of Position:

The Seasonal CHA Learn and Earn Program Specialist’s primary responsibility is to facilitate and monitor the day-to-day logistics of After School Matters CHA Learn and Earn programs within an assigned location.This project is a timely addition to the ASM program portfolio and aims to prevent summer learning loss by coupling academic learning with After School Matters career exploration programs, guiding participants to make meaningful connections between academic content and their career areas of interest.

The Program Specialist will conduct site visits, observations and provide recommendations regarding program quality, safety, compliance, instruction, program attendance, enrollment and retention and other critical issues. Acting as the liaison between After School Matters and the program providers and community partners, the Program Specialist will communicate requirements, policy changes and other relevant information to ensure successful implementation of the program, payment to teens and instructors.

This is a temporary, part-time position.

Expected Availability:

• May 19th– June 13th 2025: 10-30 hours/week (Remote and In-person)
• June 16th - August 8th 2025: 30 hours/week (In-person)
  
  

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as a day-to-day contact person with instructors and staff for programs;
• Develop and maintain relationships with program partners and instructors;
• Work with instructors to execute program content, develop final projects virtually or in-person
• Provide guidance, and where appropriate request professional development opportunities for instructors and liaisons;
• Act as a trouble shooter in the areas of program implementation, logistics, and data collection;
• Enter data into Cityspan;
• Write programmatic reports, impact statements and other documents to share concerns, recommended solutions and program highlights;
• Identify program needs, considering budgetary constraints and make recommendations and submit to Program Manager for approval;
• Secure the appropriate tools and supplies for each program and work with the warehouse department to ensure delivery;
• Act as a liaison between Program Operations and program providers;
• Trouble shoot teen application and other systems errors;
• Ensure that all required data, i.e. attendance, enrollment, program verifications, surveys, etc. are entered into the database system;
• Provide direction to the liaison and ensure compliance with program requirements;
• Work with the Program Quality team, Program Operations and Contracting, to ensure that all assigned programs are in compliance with After School Matters policies and procedures;
• Support and attend program closings and demonstrations of learning;
• Working with the Program Manager, approve instructor and liaison timesheets and trouble shoot systems errors with instructors and liaisons;
• Conduct one on one meetings with partners, instructors and liaisons when needed;
• Work with instructors to develop final projects, lessons, etc;
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Academic and Career Instructors
• Program Aides
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Skilled in developing and facilitating collaborative relationships
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams
• Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills; ability to collect and maintain information as needed
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Google Suite Proficiency
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Respect for all levels of the organization and outside partners
• Energetic team player who works well in collaborative situations
• Strong orientation to customer service
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred though not required
• Valid Driver’s License, insured transportation, and driving record that satisfies our Motor Vehicle Policy required
• Experience in using Cityspan database a plus
  
  

Benefits for full-time regular employees include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Identity Theft, Legal and Pet Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Time and paid national holidays
  
  

Salary: $25 hour, depending on experience.

EEO:

After 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.

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