Engineering Instructor

TITLE: Engineering Instructor 

DEPARTMENT: Scientific Arts (STEAM)

REPORTS TO: Scientific Arts Director 

HOURS: 2026-27 Academic Year; 10-15 hours per week

SALARY: $32 per hour

FLSA: Non-Exempt 

START DATE: ASAP

Heart of Los Angeles provides underserved youth with free, exceptional academic, arts, and athletics programs within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education, and strengthen their communities. 

Our Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Support and Inclusion. 

JOB SUMMARY: 

Scientific Arts Instructors provide instruction and facilitation to elementary, secondary school, and high school-aged students in S.T.E.A.M. education (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), primarily focusing on Design and Engineering skills. Instructors will work with the Academic Enrichment/ Scientific Arts Program Director to develop a curriculum for different age groups within various relevant topics/interests in a makerspace environment.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach 2-3 classes per week at the main campus and/or off-site locations for elementary, middle, and/or high school youth. 
• Lead other classes with partner organizations as necessary within the regular schedule.
• Encourage and promote critical thinking through inquiry, creative problem-solving strategies, welcoming mistakes as an essential part of learning/progress, and reflections in lessons. 
• Develop and implement an innovative curriculum that is aligned with NGSS standards.
• Reflect on your own teaching and actively engage in teacher development opportunities.
• Assist the director and coordinator when reaching out to community partners to enhance and/or introduce STEAM topics in the classroom and on field trips. 
• Cultivate an inclusive learning environment by delivering culturally relevant content that presents multiple perspectives and connects students’ backgrounds and communities. 
• Participate and assist in developing workshops and/or tabling for community events/faires.  
• Plan and instruct projects while promoting teamwork and project based learning. 
• Organize and showcase student projects at events, exhibitions, or competitions. 
• Assist the director and coordinator in researching and identifying student competitions.  
• Develop and deliver innovative programming on STEAM topics, including one or more of the following, but not limited to: 
  • Design & Engineering Skills 
    • Robotics 
    • Coding 
    • Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD) 
    • Digital Fabrication (3D Printing, Laser Cutting)
• Teach students how to safely and effectively use tools, equipment, and materials such as 
• 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, electronics, and coding software.
• Guide students through the design thinking process, including brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and refining ideas.
• Responsible for maintaining an organized classroom and keeping track of classroom supplies. 
• Track student progress and provide constructive feedback on projects and skills. 
• Responsible for taking attendance daily.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university, or relevant experience, preferably in a science or teaching field.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Able to design a curriculum with collaborative input. 
• Strong presentation skills, including live video presentations. 
• Experience teaching or leading instruction in the related subject matter. 
• Experience working with youth in an urban environment; must demonstrate sensitivity to multicultural issues and awareness, working in a multi-cultural urban environment. 
• Familiarity with working in a makerspace environment.
• Ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of all tools, equipment, and technology.
• Experience working with fabrication tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters.  
• Familiarity with entering and leading student group competitions.  
• Knowledge of the engineering design process and growth mindset. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills - balancing empathy & relationship building with clear information delivery. 
• Impeccable ethical principles and practices, especially around confidentiality and reporting. 
• Ability to participate in outdoor activities and field trips, during weekdays or weekends as needed. 
• Must be a positive role model for the Heart of Los Angeles community. 
• Must have reliable transportation.  
• Must be able to pass a CA DOJ background check. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The building environment does not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas. Outdoor work is expected in some cases. 

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. 

As an equal-opportunity employer, Heart of Los Angeles values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace.  We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Salary : $32