3D Maker Lab Instructor

3D Maker Lab Instructor

Our Story

This is an opportunity to work with a rising and dynamic non-profit on the west side. We are CHICAT…The Chicago Center for Arts and Technology working to transform the lives of those we serve. CHICAT provides arts education for youth and industry-relevant career training for adults. Created primarily to support the North Lawndale, Little Village, and Pilsen neighborhoods, CHICAT educates, empowers, and elevates the talents of individuals to realize their own genius through arts and technology. For more information about our history and programs, visit https://chicat.org/.

Our Location

Our staff work on-site. We are located in the Illinois Medical District, just west of the Loop. CHICAT’s home is an award-winning contemporary redesign of a former industrial site with state-of-the-art technology and a wide-open office design.

The Position

The 3D Maker Lab Instructor is a pivotal role in CHICAT’s ability to teach, mentor, and empower the students and communities we serve. They teach our Fall, Spring, Summer, Immersion, and special event arts programming to middle school and high school aged students. The 3D Maker Lab Instructor plans, organizes, and implements learning experiences that engage students in maker arts and technology, specifically 3D Printing and Modeling, CNC Laser Cutting, Coding, and Digital Fabrication. The Instructor supports students in developing creative capacities that promote artistic abilities, positive social behavior and coping skills that will lead to successful progression through the students personal, educational, and professional pursuits.

The instructor is responsible to facilitate a positive classroom and workplace culture to effectively engage students and co-workers. This means your presence and leadership skills foster a climate where all are accepted and encouraged to be and do their best. The instructor should encourage an elevated level of participation to create a work environment conducive to exceptional learning. In addition to your classroom impact, this role also provides a unique opportunity to help effect positive change within the communities and people that we serve. As such, you will be able to clearly articulate the skills, smiles, and success that we bring to our students, and the power to change lives and impact generations.

What You'll Do

Instruction and Training (Approximately 40% of the position)

• Plan, prepare, and deliver high quality instruction, mentoring, and development of students in Maker Lab program
• Develop, revise, and continually update curriculum and instructional material which are competency-based, current, consistent with employer expectations, and aligned with national and state standards
• Maintain accurate student attendance, grades, records, and other data in CHICAT’s learning management system
• Stay abreast of trends and needs in the field and workplace to ensure the curriculum is up-to-date and relevant
• Assists in the preparation and installation of exhibits, receptions, workshops and special projects.

Student Support (Approximately 30% of the position)

• Ensure high student engagement and retention with hands-on instruction and student support
• Maintain a safe working and learning environment for all students, oversees classroom preparation, and clean-up
• Documents student progress and maintains accurate records using CHICATS internally developed criteria
• Support individual student learning needs to ensure success,
• Develop students’ leadership and workplace skills
• Conduct student pre and post assessments to determine student learning and any curriculum modifications needs for student success data and retention rates
• Relays clear and consistent expectations for student performance and conduct

Programing (Approximately15% of the position)

• Collaborates with the Youth Arts Team for development of curricula for CHICAT's after-school and summer youth arts programs
• Develop and deliver customized training/professional development sessions for various guests from other schools/or organizations that are interested in adopting certain practices from or instituting an entire Maker Lab in their respective organizations as needed
• Retain and cultivate relationships with business, industry, and community partners through advisory committees, and professional associations and other organizations to enhance and promote Youth Arts programming
• Participate in and support recruitment efforts and marketing of Youth Arts Programming
• Prepares annual budget and creates orders for the Maker Lab
• Coordinate with program staff on student development.

Technical Work (Approximately 15% of the position)

• Create examples and performs demonstrations for each class on techniques and processes
• Fundamental and advanced knowledge in 3D modeling, 3D animation, Digital Sculpting, 3D Printing, Vector Art, Vinyl Cutting, CNC Machinery, Laser Cutting, Robotics, Electronics, Arduino, creating art for Virtual Reality, and demonstrated skill in either an object oriented or operational programming language
• Creates work using equipment in the Maker Lab to display the potential of the lab for visitors and potential students when requested
• Creates work using equipment in the Maker Lab to use as giveaways/and or souvenirs for various events when requested
• Maintains studio and equipment, including the management of supplies, software, classroom assets, and appropriate equipment maintenance, etc.

OTHER

• Articulates CHICAT’s mission and values and lead by example
• Shares information, practicing the Golden Rule, and respecting all
• Participates in professional development activities to continually update teaching and learning, material knowledge, and skills
• Attends all internal and external meetings as required
• Ensures that confidential information relating to the organization, its staff, and students is kept confidential
• Other duties as assigned to make CHICAT great.

Bring Your Best Qualifications

Experience and Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent and specialized training/or certification in subject required
• Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree in education, special education, fine arts, or in subject taught highly preferred
• Minimum of 3 years previous experience teaching middle and/or high school before/ after school instruction, teaching assistant, or similar role
• Previous experience designing curriculum and tracking students’ progress
• Familiarity with Cityspan, Afterschool Matters, and Google Classroom preferred
• Fundamental and advanced knowledge in 3D modeling, 3D animation, Digital Sculpting, 3D Printing, Vector Art, Vinyl Cutting, CNC Machinery, Laser Cutting, Robotics, Electronics, Arduino, creating art for Virtual Reality, and demonstrated skill in either an object oriented or operational programming language required
• Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution and classroom management

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to CHICAT’s mission, passion for the arts and the role art plays in human and community development
• Ability to multi-task and remain focused and productive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Possesses integrity, a positive attitude, a professional demeanor
• Works effectively both independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders: adult learners, youth students, parents, community partners, and other stakeholders
• Understands of the strengths, dynamics, and issues of the neighborhoods and the people we serve
• Strong multi-tasking skills, follow-through capability, and accuracy in completing work
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Fosters a healthy and positive workplace culture
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills
• Skilled in office-based computer applications: MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power-Point, Outlook)
• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

CHICAT is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.

• Expected work hours are 11am to 7pm during after school programming and 9 am to 5pm during the summer and during afterschool inter-sessions
• CHICAT’s facilities are fully accessible
• The organization is a smoke- and drug-free work environment.

The physical abilities, working conditions and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. In the event of an emergency or situation requiring guidance from Federal, State, local, and other governing agencies, the requirements of this position may change temporarily or for the class session to best serve the needs of our students.

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 50 pounds in a recurring manner and/or for extended periods of time.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress.
• Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between in-person and various classroom learning environments.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESS

CHICAT is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with applicable local, state, and federal antidiscrimination laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employees or applicants for employment based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, work authorization status, pregnancy and the potential or intention to become pregnant, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition or disability, status as a victim of domestic, sexual, gender or criminal violence, certain arrest or criminal history records, lack of a permanent mailing address or a mailing address that is a shelter or social services provider.

We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon these characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call Human Resources on (312) 733-1701 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s fine. We strongly encourage interested candidates to apply.

Our pay

The salary for this position is commensurate to skills and previous experience as it pertains to the role.

Our benefits

At CHICAT, we believe that a comprehensive benefits package helps you live your best life, both at work and at home. This includes:

• Medical insurance: 70-90% of the monthly premium is paid by CHICAT, depending on the plan
• Dental and Vision insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and Term Life Insurance: 100% for the employee‘s monthly premium is paid by CHICAT
• Paid Parental, Adoption, and Foster Care Leave: 100% pay for 6 weeks
• CHICAT contributions to your 401 K retirement account: amount varies from year to year
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• Paid professional development opportunities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person