Welding Instructor

Summary of Position:  After School Matters is seeking committed, part-time instructors to teach Welding programs for 12-14 high school participants (12:1, instructor: teen ratio) between the ages of 14 to 20 for Summer 2026. The program will allow students to learn and engage in activities specific to the content area. An instructor will expose teens to a wide range of activities and concepts to meet measurable program outcomes. The instructor will recruit, teach, and mentor teens and manage operational pieces such as program planning and budget creation. 

This part-time position is scheduled for approximately 20-30 hours per week per program session.  

Program times for Summer 2026 will follow the schedule below:  
June 22 – August 7 
Monday - Thursday 
8:30am to 12:30pm and/or 1:30pm – 5:30pm 

Instructors must have a program curriculum plan. See ASM Program Planner 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Guide 7 week session for teens offering an introduction to welding in a fabrication setting  

• Instructors will be responsible for educating a diverse population of teenagers methods of GMAW, SMAW and GTAW, with a strong coinciding element of welding sciences and associated skills  

• The instructor will develop, plan and implement high quality content related field trips, master classes, events and guest visits to enhance instruction and training.  

•  Instructors will be expected to participate in the recruitment, interview and selection process of teen program participants. 

• Instructors will also be expected to participate in planning and program dates such as instructor orientation, professional development workshops, meetings and other required sessions. 

• Supervise teens at an average of 12:1, instructor: teen ratio 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Comprehensive knowledge of safety guidelines in a weld shop 

• A thorough understanding of combination welding processes and associated prep/finishing skills 

• Knowledge of aluminum, steel and stainless welding processes 

• An understanding of the science of welding 

• Ability to read and understand technical drawings or blueprints 

• Familiarity with schools and career pathways in welding industries and an interest in working with teens 

Qualifications: 

• Associates Degree in a related vocational program, Applied Science in Welding Technology, or Applied Industrial Technology preferred, equivalent professional experience accepted. Certifications also accepted in lieu of a university degree. Experience working in a field relevant to the content area is required. 

• Familiarity with specific Chicago neighborhoods is required. 

• Experience teaching, specifically teenagers, is highly preferred. 

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion is required. 

Program Sessions and Schedules: 

The typical schedule for program sessions are as follows: 

• Summer: 6 to 7 weeks, daily Monday through Thursday/Friday (based on the program model), four instructional hours daily in the afternoon. Additional hours are allotted for planning, recruitment, professional development and meetings. Exact program meeting days/times are flexible, with some restrictions, so long as instructional hours are met. 

• After School Matters has four program branches: North/Northwest, South/Southwest, Downtown, and Program Supports (special initiatives). Please note that Interstate-55 is an approximate dividing line between our North/Northwest and South/Southwest branches.  This role is for the North/Northwest Branch at the 3435 N. Cicero Ave location. 

Compensation: The pay rate is typically between $21-35 per hour based on experience and education. 

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 www.afterschoolmatters.org.

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.