Instructor Special

Job Details

Location:

Cleveland – Oakland, CA 94606
Position Type:
Seasonal
Education Level: High School
Salary Range: $23.00 – $28.00 per hour
Job Category:
Education

Employment Type:

Seasonal, Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Season:
School Year (approximately August–May)

Reports to:

Site Coordinator/Manager

Oakland Leaf was founded in 2001 by a collective of East Oakland educators intent on empowering youth voice. For more than 25 years, it has become a highly regarded leader in youth development and out-of-school time learning. The organization facilitates culturally relevant expanded learning programming for approximately 1,300 K–12 East Oakland students through seven after school programs at public elementary and middle schools, one paid internship program for high school students, and two 5‑week summer camps.

The programming emphasizes social and emotional learning, creative expression, critical thinking, leadership development, social justice, and college and career readiness grounded in the core values of Love in Action, Cultivation, Community, Youth Voice, and Critical Thinking.

The Instructor on Special Assignment (ISA) is a senior instructional role at an assigned Oakland Leaf expanded learning site. The ISA brings targeted expertise, instructional depth, and behavioral and SEL support to their site, while also serving as the site’s built‑in substitute, stepping into coverage roles immediately and seamlessly when Program Instructors are absent so that program quality never drops because of a staffing gap.

This role is an opportunity for individuals with strong youth development instincts, a deep commitment to students, and readiness to take on additional responsibility within a site team. It is a meaningful step in Oakland Leaf’s internal career pathway and a genuine opportunity to make a difference beyond the individual classroom.

• Targeted Instructional Support (35%)
  • Provide targeted instructional support in identified focus areas at the assigned site, which may include academic enrichment, literacy support, STEM activities, arts integration, or other areas identified by the Site Coordinator in partnership with the Associate Director.
  • Facilitate high‑quality, engaging, youth‑centered activities in assigned focus areas ensuring content is culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with Oakland Leaf’s program framework and values.
  • Work with specific student groups identified by the Site Coordinator as needing additional instructional attention, providing small group or individualized support that complements the broader program day.
• Behavior & SEL Support (35%)
  • Serve as a primary behavioral and social‑emotional support resource at the site, responding to student conflicts, behavioral incidents, and emotional crises with skill, consistency, and genuine care.
  • Build authentic, trusting relationships with students at the site, especially those who are frequently dysregulated, disengaged, or struggling to connect with the program.
  • Partner with the Site Coordinator on student behavior plans and intervention strategies, providing consistent follow‑through and communicating student progress and concerns clearly and promptly.
  • Model and reinforce Oakland Leaf’s restorative approach to conflict and behavior, de‑escalating situations thoughtfully, supporting students in repairing relationships, and never defaulting to punitive responses.
  • Support the social‑emotional development of all students at the site by contributing to a program culture where every student feels safe, seen, and valued.
• Substitute Coverage (20%)
  • Serve as the site’s primary internal substitute, stepping immediately into any Program Instructor role when staff are absent, without disruption to the program day or reduction in quality.
  • Maintain deep familiarity with all activity groups, student rosters, behavior plans, and program routines at the site so that coverage is seamless and students experience consistency regardless of who is in the room.
  • Adapt quickly to different age groups, activity types, and student dynamics when covering, bringing the same energy, care, and…