ECPSI Program Coordinator

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Job Classification: Seasonal Hourly Staff
• Grade Level: 6

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of Continuing Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is to provide an education that harnesses the transformative power of a leading art and design school, a world-renowned museum, and a vibrant city to support the development of critical thinking, rigorous investigation, and playful creativity. Serving students ages six to adult, we believe having confidence in one’s creative abilities plays a critical role in successfully meeting the unique challenges of today’s world.

CS manages an average of 275 classes, nearly 300 part-time faculty teaching assignments, and over 3,300 student class enrollments annually, including 1,900 summers.

Read more about our programs at www.saic.edu/cs.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The role of the Summer Program Coordinator for the Early College Program Summer Institute (SPC) is to work with a team of colleagues from Continuing Studies, including student employees, to support SAIC’s summer youth programs with a particular focus on the Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI) and it’s online counterpart, the Early College Program Online Summer Institute (ECPOSI). ECPSI is SAIC’s residential pre-college program for high school students offering for-credit visual arts courses. ECPSI courses will take place in one-, two- and four-week full-day sessions from late June through early August. ECPOSI, SAIC’s online pre-college program, will take place in one two-week session with half and full-day options in late June.

The SPC will help manage the preparations for and oversee the daily operations of ECPSI and ECPOSI throughout the summer, including, but not limited to, student relations, supporting faculty and staff, communication with caregivers, coordinating and collaborating with SAIC staff from outside departments, and managing classroom spaces and end-of-session exhibitions. Continuing Studies runs additional programs for elementary, middle, and high school students and adults. While not the main focus of this role, the SPC will support these programs administratively throughout the summer.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, temporary, onsite position from May 1st to August 31st. The weekly schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional adjusted hours on evenings and weekends. When programs are not in session, weekday hours will be 9:00-5:00. During programming, weekday hours will be 8:30-4:30 (start and end times may vary).

• A faculty meeting will be held on Saturday, June 7.
• ECPSI move-in days are the Sunday before each session: June 15, July 6, July 20, and August 3.
• End-of-session events occur on the final Friday of each session: June 27, July 7, July 21, and August 8.
• Programming for ECPSI students will take place on Juneteenth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The month preceding summer programs:

• Work with colleagues from Continuing Studies to plan, organize, and prepare for the start of summer programs. Activities include but are not limited to:
  • Participate in meetings to plan program processes and procedures.
  • Help prepare and lead orientations for ECPSI and ECPOSI students and caregivers.
  • Help prepare and lead training sessions for ECPSI and ECPOSI teaching assistants.
  • Help organize and distribute classroom supplies.
  • Prepare materials and email communications necessary for program administration.
  • Meet with colleagues in residence life, the Wellness Center, and other SAIC departments to train, coordinate, and prepare for student arrival.
  • Complete other administrative tasks or program preparation as needed.

During programs:

• Work directly with ECPSI and ECPOSI students and caregivers, building relationships, supporting daily needs, resolving conflict, and collaborating with faculty and teaching assistants to ensure a safe, high-quality experience.
  • This includes supporting/providing resources for students living on campus who feel physically unwell or need mental or emotional support and accompanying ECPSI students to the ER or Urgent Care, as needed.
• Move throughout the SAIC campus overseeing daily program operations, regularly observing teaching and learning, checking in with students, faculty, and staff, and providing as-needed support.
• Work with faculty and the Continuing Studies administrative team to ensure that classes have the necessary facilities and supplies.
• Develop relationships and collaborate with SAIC staff outside the Continuing Studies department. This includes, but is not limited to, staff members from SAIC cafes, security, and facilities management.
• Supervise two program assistants, who will support the ECPSI and ECPOSI daily operations and liaise with residence life.
• As needed, oversee daily lunch hours with the program assistant and teaching assistants for ECPSI and/or other Continuing Studies youth programs.
• Meet weekly with the assistant dean for academics to report any highlights, concerns, etc.
• Work with the CS deans to support faculty needs and concerns.
• Work with CS administrative directors to support teaching/classroom assistant needs and concerns.
• Work with designated personnel to coordinate and manage the ECPSI end-of-session exhibitions.
• Work with departmental colleagues to facilitate email and phone communication with current and prospective students and caregivers to answer questions, advise them, and support their needs.
• Ensure that classroom spaces and supply closets are well maintained, with support from faculty, teaching assistants, and program assistants.
• Work with CS staff to help find coverage for absent faculty and teaching/classroom assistants.
• Occasionally substitute for faculty who are out unexpectedly until a faculty substitute can be identified.
• Support other Continuing Studies programming as needed.

Post-programming:

• Work with departmental colleagues to close out programs, including maintaining spaces, organizing and reviewing student and caregiver evaluations, updating documentation drives, and completing reporting.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be added as needed at the manager’s discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regular written and spoken communication with youth, staff, and caregivers.
• Visual oversight of large youth groups during lunch periods and other rare large gatherings.
• Moving from building to building to oversee programs throughout the day (up to a ¾ mile distance per journey).
• Email students, caregivers, faculty, and staff using a computer or tablet.
• Maintaining classrooms and supply closets may include moving furniture and heavy supplies or equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in an art/education-related field preferred
• 1 year of experience working with the youth in a school, camp, or related setting required
• 1 year of supervisory experience required
• Must be willing to complete mandated reporter training upon hire
• Ability to effectively multitask in a fast-paced environment with special attention paid to caring for student well-being and safety
• Ability to communicate with students, staff, and caregivers around sensitive topics and information
• Ability to work as a part of a team
• Basic computer experience, including working with word processors, spreadsheets, and the ability to learn new software

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.