Sewing Instructor at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest – Tucson, Arizona

Classification: Non-Exempt

Status: On-Call

Join Our Mission

If you are passionate about making a difference and have experience in sewing, join us in fulfilling the mission of LSS-SW to support and empower our community's most vulnerable members, and our vision of “A future where all people thrive.”

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Sewing Instructor. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on sewing experience and the ability to teach sewing techniques in a clear, supportive, and culturally sensitive manner. This role requires both technical sewing expertise and a passion for empowering Refugee Women through practical skill-building. The instructor will guide participants through foundational and intermediate sewing skills, including machine operation, garment construction, pattern reading, fabric selection, and basic alterations.

The successful candidate will be patient, encouraging, and experienced in adapting instruction to different learning styles and language levels. Prior teaching or training experience is strongly preferred, along with the ability to create a positive, inclusive classroom environment that builds confidence and independence.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching Sewing Class:

• Oversee and lead sewing classes with refugee women, encouraging women to realize their value and self-confidence through skill development.
• Exhibit cultural competency while working with women from various backgrounds, cultures, and English levels.
• Provide instruction to individuals or groups of students, including evaluation and guiding student progress.
• Be flexible and adaptable to student’s individual needs and the fluctuating classroom environment.
• Troubleshoot group and individual issues that arise including but not limited to: mechanical issues with the sewing machines, difficulty with a pattern, and mistakes while following pattern
• Emphasize the importance of safety while using all machines and tools in the classroom

Class Preparation and Inventory Support:

• Prepare and lead sewing classes for 8–15 women, providing clear instruction and hands-on guidance
• Research and develop new project patterns to diversify product offerings, with approval from the Women’s Empowerment Coordinator
• Assist the Women’s Empowerment Coordinator with managing the Microsoft Access Inventory Database
• Enter new products accurately into the database
• Label all products correctly to prepare items for sale
• Maintain and update inventory records to ensure accuracy
• Travel to sales locations as needed to stock merchandise and monitor inventory levels

Special Events:

• Attend 1-3 sales events per quarter to sell merchandise made in the sewing class. Be prepared to educate clientele about the Women’s Empowerment Program.

Qualifications

• Experience working with refugees and/or diverse communities
• Professional teaching or tutoring experience.
• At least two years of experience and/or education in skill area being taught.
• Provide and maintain a valid Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Clear required background checks
• Maintain valid AZ Driver’s License, a clear driving record, and reliable transportation
• Ability to work evenings or weekends when necessary

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to speak, read, and write English
• Ability to speak, read, and write in another language commonly used by our client population
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move 30 pounds.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.