Department

Lab School Family Life Programs

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Information

Job Summary:

Summer Lab falls within the Family Life Programs (FLP) department. Summer Lab Program Managers are responsible for the plan and design (e.g., curriculum, activities) of a specific program with an enrollment of 50+ students. This includes the overall daily implementation of program content.Training and supervision of the lead instructors and camp counselors. Program Managers report to the FLP Associate Director of Operations and Programs and works closely with the FLP Admin team regarding planning, budgets, hiring, field trips, and other administrative tasks.

Program managers work April-August and are given 60 hours of planning time before summer begins. During Summer Lab this position works 8.5 hours daily while the program is in session.

Responsibilities:

Create, maintain, and iterate on a high-quality program through developmentally appropriate activities consistent with the advertised program description. 

Manage the daily administration of the program for Summer Lab. 

Manage the pre and post Summer Lab planning and work to open and close the program successfully.

Oversee the supervision and evaluation of lead instructors within the designated program. 

Work closely with the FLP admin team to develop daily and weekly schedules. 

Assist in interviewing and hiring for the Camp Counselor and/or Assistant positions.

Attend check-in meetings with the FLP Admin team during the school year to ensure timelines and priorities are met. 

Ensure program activity objectives are consistent with the Summer Lab mission and goals.

Submit all requested documents within timelines to meet programmatic needs (supplies, field trips, schedules, etc.). This includes submitting hours of pre-summer planning work.

Evaluate current activities and programs to determine what should be kept and what needs to be altered or removed from the program. 

Continue to refresh traditions and staple activities in order to make them feel new and exciting. 

In partnership with the FLP Admin team develop outlines of roles, responsibilities, and evaluation forms for Lead Instructors and Camp Counselors.

Make continuous improvements to the daily schedule to maximize the camper and staff experience, including creating weather contingency plans for field trips and non-field trip days. 

Respond to all Summer Lab emails from FLP Admin in a timely manner 

Adhere to protocols and policies agreed upon in pre-planning meetings. 

Train all staff on philosophy and program logistics. 

Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to change.

Work collaboratively with the FLP team.

Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to recommend concepts for programming to leaders of various organizations and programs.

Markets student activities programming throughout the year. Develops and implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of programs.

Performs other duties as needed.

Competencies:

Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills required.

Excellent interpersonal skills required. 

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team required.

Ability to work with a diverse group of students, parents, care givers, staff, administrators, and faculty. 

Ability to prioritize effectively among numerous tasks.

Ability to work independently and with limited supervision and to utilize good executive function skills.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite required and ability to learn other office and registration platforms.

Ability to recognize, independently resolve, or refer matters, as appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

Pay Range:

$40 - $50/hour

Required Documents:

Resume

Cover Letter

Professional References

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Temporary Staff

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Frequency

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

​
FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

​
Pay Range

$0.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.