STEM Instructor at Boys & Girls Club of Newark

STEM Instructor

Job Description

Job Title: STEM Instructor

Department: Programs (STEM)

Reports to: Director of STEM

Direct reports: N/A

Status: Part time: Monday – Friday with some weekends based on needs for special programs

Hours: 1pm – 7pm

Pay Range – $25 dollars per hour

*Benefits: PTO – 60 hours, dental, medical, and employee assistant programs (EAP) are available.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible individuals.

Job Summary

The Boys & Girls Club of Newark is seeking a passionate, engaging, and mission-driven STEM Instructor to support the implementation of high-quality STEM programming across our Club and school-based sites. This role is ideal for an educator who believes in the power of technology, innovation, and hands-on learning to unlock youth potential.

The STEM Instructor will facilitate engaging lessons and activities for members in grades K–12 across multiple off-site locations. Instruction may include areas such as coding, robotics, digital art, game-based learning, engineering, math, science, and technology exploration. The ideal candidate brings enthusiasm, professionalism, strong youth engagement skills, and a commitment to creating safe, supportive, and fun learning environments.

This role requires someone who can inspire curiosity, build positive relationships with youth, and deliver programming in a way that reflects BGCN's commitment to academic success, emotional safety, and high-quality youth development practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Facilitate high-quality STEM learning experiences for members in grades K–12.
Deliver engaging, age-appropriate instruction in areas such as coding, robotics, engineering, digital art, science, math, and technology.
Create a safe, structured, and positive learning environment where members are actively engaged and supported.
Serve as a positive and professional representative of the Boys & Girls Club of Newark at all times.
Support the implementation and ongoing improvement of STEM curriculum, activities, and projects.
Ensure each class session is organized, engaging, and aligned with intended learning outcomes.
Inspire members through interactive, project-based learning and meaningful enrichment experiences.
Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, and program participation records for each group.
Identify members who may need additional academic or behavioral support and communicate concerns appropriately with supervisors.
Build positive relationships with members while demonstrating awareness of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and learning needs.
Collaborate regularly with the Director of STEM and broader program team to monitor program quality, member growth, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Use data and observation to help refine curriculum and improve member outcomes.
Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, professional development, and organizational initiatives.
Implement programming through the lens of BGCN's youth development framework, including the 5 Key Elements for Positive Youth Development and What's in an Hour
Follow all BGCN policies, safety procedures, and New Jersey licensing standards.
Maintain reliable transportation to support work across multiple program sites.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of the STEM department and overall Club experience.

Trauma-Informed & Safety Practice Expectations

At BGCN, trauma-informed care is a core pillar of our work with youth. The STEM Instructor is expected to approach all interactions with members through a lens of safety, connection, consistency, and empathy.
Responsibilities include:
Building strong, positive, and respectful relationships with youth.
Supporting members with patience, emotional awareness, and a calm, regulated presence.
Using proactive behavior support strategies that emphasize connection before correction.
Helping create emotionally and physically safe spaces where all youth feel seen, valued, and supported.
Recognizing that behavior is a form of communication and responding in ways that are supportive, developmentally appropriate, and non-punitive.
Implementing classroom management practices that align with BGCN's trauma-informed philosophy and licensing expectations.
Collaborating with supervisors and team members when additional member support is needed.
Maintaining professionalism and confidentiality when responding to member needs or concerns.
Adherence to Child Abuse Prevention & 1:1 Prohibition policies
Active supervision (sight and sound at all times)
Proper incident reporting procedures
Enforcement of no personal device policies for members
Participation in emergency drills and safety protocols
Participating in required training related to trauma-informed care, child safety, de-escalation, and youth development best practices.

Preferred Competencies

Strong relationship-building skills with youth and families
Ability to make learning fun, engaging, and accessible
Professionalism, adaptability, and initiative
Commitment to safety, structure, and consistency
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced youth development environment
Alignment with BGCN's mission, values, and trauma-informed approach

Qualifications & Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in education, STEM, technology, youth development, or a related field preferred.
Minimum of 1 year of experience implementing educational or enrichment programming for youth.
Minimum of 1 year of experience in classroom management, youth engagement, and group facilitation.
Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and presentation skills.
Prior experience teaching or facilitating one or more of the following is strongly preferred: Scratch, Swift, Python, JavaScript, C++, Minecraft Education, robotics, digital media, web design, or similar STEM-related content.
Comfort using multiple technologies and willingness to quickly learn new tools and platforms.
Ability to support a variety of STEM content areas, such as programming, robotics, web design, 3D modeling, graphic design, and digital learning tools.
Passion for working with youth in diverse communities.
Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and positive youth development.
Willingness to learn, grow, and receive coaching.
Availability during afterschool hours and occasional weekends, as needed.
Reliable transportation required.

*BGCN Provides EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

It always has been and continues to be BGCN's policy that employees should be able to enjoy a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination. All decisions regarding recruiting, hiring, promotion, assignment, training, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination. Individuals will be selected for promotion based on skill and ability.

Where skill and ability are equal, the length of continuous employment will be the determining factor. Additionally, BGCN prohibits unlawful harassment of its employees, applicants, or independent contractors in any form. Complaints of unlawful employment discrimination or harassment should be reported as discussed in orientation with HR or the CEO. In cases where an investigation confirms the allegations, appropriate corrective action will be taken, regardless of whether the inappropriate conduct rises to the level of any violation of law. No employee will suffer retaliation for reporting, in good faith, any violation of Company policy or unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. (Revised 5/4/26)

Acknowledgment

I have read and understand the duties outlined in this job description and know that The Boys & Girls Club of Newark may change this description to fulfill the position's requirements. By signing below, I acknowledge that I agree to carry out the functions, requirements, duties, and expectations of this position as described in this job description.

_________________________________ _______________________ _______________

Employee Print Name Employee Signature Date

_________________________________ _______________________ _______________

Supervisor Print Name Supervisor Signature Date

_________________________________ _______________________ _________________

Human Resources Print Name Human Resources Signature Date

*Benefits: PTO – 60 hours, dental, medical, and employee assistant programs (EAP) are available.