Cohort Engagement Instructor

Roots N Threads
Cohort Engagement Instructor
POSITION DETAILS
Salary Range: $25.50/hr - $ 28.00/hr
Hours: Contractor - up to 16 hours per week
Expected Start Date: 5/9/2025
Expected End Date: 9/2/2025
Location: Mostly Virtual some Local Engagement
Application Deadline: 4/26/25

About ELSO
Created in 2015 by two Black women ELSO Inc. provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite Youth of Color to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to teach and frame science and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories ways of knowing individual needs and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities. ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math Environment Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black Indigenous and People of Color in the natural and built environments. ELSO uses a multi-cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history. We are demonstrating a model for STEAMED education led by People of Color.

ELSOs Studio Justice (SJ) enables leadership and agency for youth ages 14-20 to use design as a tool for racial social economic and sustainable justice. SJ aims to expand our youths STEAMED career pathways to include the professions in the built environment while widening their exposure to green sector careers. Through this vital opportunity participants will learn about their personal STEAM and social economic identities as well as be introduced educated and mentored in designing public spaces the power of place and health equity for under-resourced communities.

There are no student fees for Studio Justice program events. Instead we ensure participants receive a scholarship stipend as a just and direct response to historic barriers constraints and lack of investment and resources that keep Black and Brown community from pursuing careers in the Architectural Engineering Construction and Design (AECD) industry.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Cohort EngagementInstructor (CE Instructor) will report to the Regenerative Design instructor and receive guidance from the Program Director and Program Manager. The CE Instructors main responsibilities will be focused on supporting communication with any internal and external communication which includes but is not limited to cohort participants parents of participants guests speakers panelists and team communication.
Instructors cultivate a positive affirming culture for participants to imagine vision and develop designs for future communities. CE Instructors will cultivate a positive and affirming culture for participants to imagine and develop their ideas into projects. CE Instructors will lead 8-9 weeks of cohorts consisting of 15-20 young adults between the ages of 14-20. The CE Instructors will be in charge of coordinating with guest professionals panelists and any visitors of the cohort.

ELSO Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Camp ELSO does not discriminate on the basis of race class creed gender gender expression religionsex nationality or ability.

2828 NE Alberta St
Portland OR 97211


With the supervision and guidance of the PD PM and Regenerative Design instructor CE Instructors will teach and demonstrate Studio Justice program values lead participants in restorative justice practice for conflict resolution. ELSO temporary staff members and volunteers are responsible and positive role models who reflect the diversity of the cohort participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Communication Development (30%)
Work with Program Director Program Manager and Regenerative Design instructor to develop the syllabus & curriculum collaboration with community partners and youth participant recruitment.
Weekly responsibilities: work with Regenerative Design instructor to manage PowerPoint slides manage documents (cohort outlines participant work etc) and aid in guest instructors material and setup.
Support the PA in Identifying key industry and community leaders to be guest instructors.
Support coordination of team meetings and ensure all documents and contracts are established with the ELSO Special Operations Team.
Support logistics and planning of the public Vital Voices final presentation (ie outreach to schools youth parents etc. for the success of attendance).
Cohort Instruction (40%)
Instruct class of up to 20 youth participants over 8 weeks
Ensure recording each zoom session and storing them in the Studio Justice specified Drive encouraging camera on meetings.
Support the Regenerative Design instructor to ensure cohort session and general outline align.
Solicit and respond to feedback from youth participants to continue to grow the cultural competency of the program.
Communication Administration (30%)
Participant Mail:
Verifying demographic information of participants is accurate (Mailing address email and phone number)
Weekly cohort recap email:
CE Instructor will be responsible for sending weekly recaps of the cohort to you recapping topics covered links shared and any information discussed during the session that needs to be shared.
Guest Coordination: with support from the Regenerative Design instructor CE Instructor will be responsible for coordinating with guests who align with the weekly subject as well as facilitating the communication process for candidates and selected panelists for the final week presentation.
Support the PM with parent and family communication regarding participants
Coordinate with PM to submit paperwork and billing information for participant stipends guest speaker honorariums partner payments purchasing etc.
Support administrative and technical training/support to guest educators instructors and youth
The ELSO Way
Enforce Community Agreements as needed follow behavioral management and safety protocols assume responsibility for behavioral management of participants and problem solving issues as they arise using a Restorative Justice approach

ELSO Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Camp ELSO does not discriminate on the basis of race class creed gender gender expression religionsex nationality or ability.

2828 NE Alberta St
Portland OR 97211


Ensure health and safety of participants (including emotional and physical well being) with practices such as listening watching reporting any safety or behavior issues that interfere with youths ability to participate fully in the program
Teamwork
Positively represent ELSO Inc. and support the ongoing health and vitality of the organization as a whole
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing professional publications establishing personal networks participating in professional societies etc.
Support maintenance of ELSO branding supplies office space and administrative systems by understanding and following policies processes and procedures for supply organization file storage and naming conventions branding guidelines communications logs departmental budgets purchase and reimbursement requests etc.
Be friendly accessible and responsive to the public in all aspects of job duties including communicating professionally and knowledgeably about ELSO Inc.s mission fundraising efforts and programming.
Commit to following ELSO Inc.s approach to problem-solving both internally as well as with partners contractors volunteers program participants funders donors and the general public.
Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
21 High School Graduate or GED complete can be currently in college with design experience
Experience in learning designing and implementing curriculum and programming for youth ages 13-18
Volunteer and/or work experience with youth ages 13-18 in an after school or classroom setting and/ or outdoor setting
Experience working with culturally competent lessons and activities for Youth of Color from diverse backgrounds
Proficiency with or willingness to learn Zoom Adobe Acrobat Google applications such as gmail drive docs sheets slides forms etc. as well as presentation and instructional software.
Must be able to pass a background check as required by the Oregon Department of Education for positions that work directly with youth (Oregon State Department of Education Disqualifying Crimes 342.143) and have a clean driving record for 1 year prior to application
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Passion and experience in guiding BIPOC youth through student-driven learning experiences
Experience in Design Industries including but not limited to: Fashion Design merchandising Stylist or Real work experience.
Familiarity with Justice & Design Frameworks including Critical Race Theory Trauma Informed Care Design as Protest and Black Space Manifesto
BENEFITS
Flexible Schedule Intuitive Holiday Schedule ELSO will supply subscriptions to required
software

TO APPLY:
Send a resume and communication of interest (cover letter email and videos are accepted) to

ELSO Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Camp ELSO does not discriminate on the basis of race class creed gender gender expression religionsex nationality or ability.