Cottonwood is a small organization run by a few full-time staff members. Each semester we are joined by a variety of educators and volunteers. We are always looking for experienced, detail-oriented candidates, who bring creativity and organizational skills to our community.
We are currently looking for fill the following positions:
RESIDENT MAKER
Cottonwood NYC is looking for a creative, techno-maker to support our programming which serves young people ages 5 - 14.
Facilitators at Cottonwood support learners as they grow in community, hone skills, identify and work on projects, and develop autonomy. Applicants for the Resident Maker position should be energized when a young person asks you about something you DON’T already know how to do. If you consider yourself a “Jack/Jill/J of all trades,” and you welcome the opportunity to facilitate others learning new creative skills even when it means you have put yourself through a crash course to teach it, then this job is for you!
This position will be great for you if you genuinely love to be in community with young people and are masterful at following their lead. There are three main ways in which the Resident Maker facilitates at Cottonwood:
Genius Hour and Open Studio
During these periods, young people will come in with project ideas and have a set amount of time to gather the materials, knowledge, and develop skills and techniques around this intention. Your job is to support them in working to realize these goals.Longterm Project Work
Each semester, students embark on a Longterm Project guided by the facilitators with checkpoints along the way. From creating a business with items to sell to researching historical figures, to designing our own board games, long term projects always involve countless design thinking opportunities. You can see some examples of Long Term Projects on our website. As needed, the Resident Maker may be asked to support in the process.Tech Tuesdays
Tuesday afternoons Cottonwood hosts an after school program called Tech Tuesdays. The Resident Maker will lead this afternoon class. Cottonwood has a 3D printer, Cricut Machine, computers for 3D modeling and lots of 2D materials for designing, cutting, and making.
This part-time position begins at one 7-hour day per week with opportunities for increased hours if desired and pays $20-25 per hour depending on experience.
Potential candidates should be comfortable with the following:
Digital Design programs such as Tinkercad, Photoshop, Illustrator, Blendr, and Procreate
Analog Techniques such as Drawing, Cutting, Model Making, Sewing, Tinkering, and Mechanics
*It is not essential that you are a master in these things, simply that you have some experience designing and making and are excited to learn more ways to create!
The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, detail-oriented and demonstrate the strong organizational skills necessary for this role. You will be working alongside the Executive Director, Director of Youth Programs, and other facilitators in this role.
Agile Learning Facilitators act as models, space-holders, and mentors of self-directed learning and intentional culture creation. Above all, facilitators need to be grounded in the perspective of trusting children and committed to fostering curiosity and treating every experience as an adventure.
General Info:
Full-Time Facilitator roles are primarily fulfilled Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 3:30pm.
Part-Time Facilitators average 20 hours per week.
Agile School Program Director roles are fulfilled Monday - Thursday from the hours of 2:00 pm to 6:00pm.
If you would like to submit an application for us to keep on file, we are always eager to hear from passionate, self-directed individuals.
Cottonwood does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, religion, nor national or ethnic origin.