Welding Instruction and Trades Outreach Specialist

Summary of Position : The Welding Instruction and Trades Outreach Specialist is responsible for expanding welding and trades-based programs at the Lutz Center, Orleans, Gately, and in target communities. This individual will plan and teach daytime, after-school, and summer welding programs at the Lutz Center, and provide support to other after-school and summer trades programs at other ASM buildings and partner sites throughout the city. They will also be responsible for establishing key partnerships to create career pathways for teens interested in welding and other trades-related post-secondary opportunities, which will be shared across all ASM welding and trades programs.

This individual will assist with recruitment and outreach, build strong relationships with community schools and partners, and ensure effective coordination and execution of program activities. They will maintain program quality and clearly communicate compliance requirements, policy updates, and other essential information. Success in this position depends on collaboration with instructors, program staff, schools, and community organizations. This individual works closely with the Manager of Special Projects on special projects and coordinates with other departments on program initiatives.

This is a full-time position. The role will begin in June 2026.

Schedule:

• Monday- Friday 9a.m.-5p.m. during the Summer Session.
• During the school year from 11a.m.-7p.m.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Supervisory Responsibilities :

• Welding and/or other trades instructors
• Manage teens in programming
• Ability to travel to ASM sites as needed

Administrative and Instructional Management and Support:

• Lead the planning and instructional facilitation of school-year daytime welding programs as well as after-school and summer programs, expanding access to the welding studio at Lutz.
• Provide support to other after-school and summer welding and trades programs at Lutz and other ASM sites, including providing coaching and guidance to instructors to ensure program success, aid professional development, and support performance improvement. Be prepared to step in to instruct programs as needed.

• Provide a welcoming environment and serve as the first point of contact for all ASM guests, visitors, and inquiries regarding welding and trades programs at ASM.
• Support administrative updates in our cloud-based data management system Cityspan.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of program budgets, meticulously refining them to ensure funding and ASM program model requirements are met through precise allocation of staffing, supplies, and resources before final approval.

Community and Building Support:

• Foster and maintain strong relationships with ASM staff, program partners, instructors, and community stakeholders, while supporting branch area meetings and events.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and site visits to address the needs and interests of teens at Lutz, Orleans, Gately and other target community areas.
• Develop partnerships with trades focused post-secondary training entities (e.g., unions, city colleges, community training programs, etc.) to provide pathways for teens to connect to next step opportunities and explore future careers in trades and related certifications.
• Work with facilities staff to maintain equipment and program space at ASM building sites.
• Assist with planning and implementing branch showcases, special events, and program collaborations.

Recruitment and Community Outreach:

• Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to provide recruitment and application support.
• Attend recruitment events at Lutz and at program locations throughout the city to support welding and trade-based programming.
• Lead the planning and execution of targeted recruitment events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Certified welder with experience teaching welding.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Proficient in fostering positive and effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in developing and nurturing collaborative partnerships: Skilled at cultivating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities: Proficient in efficiently organizing tasks and adept at resolving challenges.
• Effective communication skills: Articulate in conveying information verbally and in writing.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office with the ability to gather, manage, and maintain data effectively.
• Proven ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects to successful completion.
• Strong multitasking skills: Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment: Adaptable and comfortable working in dynamic settings.
• Demonstrates respect for all levels of the organization and external partners: Exhibits professionalism and consideration in interactions.
• Collaborative team player with high energy: Engages positively in team environments and contributes effectively to group efforts.
• Customer service orientation: Committed to delivering exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Certified Welder with 2+ Years Experience Teaching Welding
• Bachelor’s Degree a Plus
• 2+ Years Managing Staff
• 2+ Years Youth Programming Experience
• Valid Driver’s License, insured transportation, and driving record that satisfies our Motor Vehicle Policy preferred 1
• Cook County residency required

[1] After School Matters will provide reasonable accommodation to a person who does not have a driver’s license because of a disability.

Pay : $65,000 – $70,000


About Us: 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-five years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 450,000 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 four ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and Orleans, 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 $48M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. For more information, visit

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.