Sharp Building 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.

Continuing Studies manages over 275 classes, nearly 300 part-time faculty assignments, and more than 3,300 student class enrollments annually, including /- 1,900 each summer. 

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

ABOUT THE POSITION

The role of the Summer Program Coordinator: Sharp Building (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 programs taking place in the Sharp, MacLean, and Sullivan Buildings. This will include the Middle School Program (MSP) and Early College Program (ECP). MSP is SAIC’s program for youth ages 10-13. Each class focuses on a different discipline and emphasizes skill development alongside social, emotional, and creative growth. ECP is SAIC’s program for high school students, offering visual arts courses either for credit or not for credit. MSP & ECP courses will take place in one- and two-week sessions from late June through August.

The SPC will help manage the preparations for and oversee the daily procedures of MSP and ECP courses taking place in the Sharp Building throughout the summer, including but not limited to student relations, supporting faculty and staff, communication with caregivers, coordinating & collaborating with SAIC staff from outside departments, and management of classroom spaces. Continuing Studies runs additional youth programs for elementary 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-August 31st. The weekly schedule of this position is Monday-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).

Candidates who are unavailable during the following dates are ineligible for this position.

• A faculty meeting will be held on Saturday, June 8th.
• Session start check-in days on the first Monday of each session. These dates include July 1st, July 15th & July 29th.
• End-of-session events take place on the final Friday of each session. These dates include July 12th, July 26th & August 9th.

 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 help coordinate program processes.
  • Help to prepare and lead information sessions for students and caregivers.
  • Help to prepare and lead training sessions for teaching assistants.
  • Help to organize and distribute classroom materials.
  • Prepare materials and email communications necessary for program administration.
  • Complete other administrative tasks as needed for program preparation.

During programs:

• Work directly with students and caregivers, building relationships, supporting daily needs, resolving conflict, and collaborating with faculty and assistants to ensure a safe, high-quality experience.
• Lead daily management of drop-off and pick-up processes for Middle School Programs.
• Move throughout the SAIC campus, overseeing daily program operations, 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 what they need regarding facilities and supplies.
• Develop relationships and collaborations 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 SAIC student program assistants, who will be responsible for supporting daily operations.
• Oversee daily lunch hours along with a program assistant and teaching assistants.
• Meet weekly with the assistant dean for academics to report any highlights, concerns, etc.
• Work with the assistant dean for academics to support faculty needs and concerns.
• Work with the administrative director for academics to support teaching/classroom assistant needs and concerns.
• Support the management of end-of-session exhibitions and open studios
• Work with departmental colleagues to facilitate email and phone communication with current and prospective students and caregivers to answer questions, provide advising and support their needs.
• Ensure that classroom spaces and supply closets are well maintained, with support from faculty, teaching assistants and the program assistant.
• Work with the assistant dean for academics & administrative director for academics to help find coverage for absent faculty and teaching/classroom assistants.
• Occasionally sub for faculty who are out last minute, until a faculty substitute can be identified.
• Work with the CS Student Advocate to coordinate communication and guidance to parents regarding positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts.

Post-programming

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

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regular written and spoken communication with youth, staff and caregivers.
• Visual oversight of large groups of youth 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).
• Using a computer or tablet in order to communicate via email with students, caregivers, faculty and staff.
• Maintaining classrooms and supply closets, which may include infrequent moving of furniture and heavy supplies or equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in an art/education-related field preferred
• 1 year of experience working with youth in a school, camp, or related setting required
• 1 year of supervisory experience required
• Willingness 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.