Rebuilding Exchange Hiring for Contract Education Instructor (1099) Job at Evanston, IL Full Time

The Rebuilding Exchange/Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse invests in our communities by reusing building materials, reducing construction waste, and training, supporting, and connecting people seeking careers in the building trades. We divert building materials from landfills through two reuse retail stores in Evanston and Chicago and offer deconstruction services to homeowners that want to save their building materials from landfills. We teach community members to repair and repurpose building materials through education workshop programs. Finally, we run paid workforce training programs that provide industry credentials, job readiness and on the job training in deconstruction and materials reuse. Our training programs are run simultaneously at our Evanston and Chicago locations.

Our education programs build a culture of reuse through a variety of classes and workshops that:

• Engage community members in conversations about sustainability and environmental action through fun, creative activities that repurpose reclaimed materials;
• Build skills in woodworking, carpentry, electrical and plumbing so that residents have the tools to repair and beautify their homes.

The Contract Education Instructor facilitates safe and inspirational classes in one or more of our curriculum areas: Woodworking, Home Improvement and Creative Reuse. The Education Instructor must be a natural trainer, connector and community builder. They must have the ability to put themselves in a beginner’s shoes and help them learn from mistakes.

We offer a standard set of 3-hour Make It Take It woodworking classes and have recently launched 6-week Beginning Woodworking classes for adults and middle schoolers. We have some home improvement offerings and hope to expand. Please see the website for example classes. Instructors have the opportunity to create classes in their area of interest provided they fit the mission.

This is a part-time contract position. Most classes are taught evenings and weekends. Typical time requirements are 6:00-10:00pm on weeknights and 10:00-2:00pm or 2:00-6:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Occasional weekday special events are also possible.

Location:

The majority of adult classes are taught at our Chicago location, 1740 W. Webster Avenue, and the majority of kids/family classes at our Evanston location, 1245 Hartrey Avenue. We also occasionally offer pop-up classes or corporate events at off-site locations.

Primary responsibilities:

Instruction of Classes & Workshops

• Deliver instruction of in-person classes using reclaimed building materials. Engage students in design challenges and problem solving with patience and a focus on positive learning and skill development
• Ensure workplace safety and cleanliness of the woodshop
• Train and coach volunteer Teaching Assistants in class flow, safety, set up, and best practices
• Prepare workshop materials if necessary

Support education program growth and improvement

• Collaborate with education staff to identify and implement improvements to the shop, programming and departmental processes
• Support the promotion and marketing efforts of education programming
• Respond promptly to emails and requests

Job Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience in educational programming and teaching
• Demonstrated experience in hands-on carpentry (rough or finish), woodworking, plumbing, electrical, tiling, furniture refinishing or home repair, including safe operation of related power tools and hand tools
• Excellent communications skills – verbal and written – and builds strong interpersonal relationships both inside and outside the organization
• Able to travel and physically work in two woodshop locations throughout the seasons
• Interest in our nonprofit mission and being a part of a fun and collaborative team!!

Salary:

1099 Contractor Rate is $30/hour, this includes teaching time + 1 hour for set-up/clean-up

The Rebuilding Exchange is committed to building a representative and diverse staff team. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $30.00 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Evanston, IL 60202: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location