Graphic Design Arts Specialist, Employment and Technology Center

Harlem Children's Zone is a world-renowned non-profit that is breaking the cycle of generational poverty for more than 28,000 children and adults in Central Harlem and millions more well beyond. HCZ walks hand in hand with young people and their families from cradle to college to career. From our work with public school students and our Promise Academy charter schools to our Healthy Harlem wellness initiative to our family support programs, HCZ goes beyond education to provide children with the academic, personal, and career support they need to stay on the path to becoming self-sustaining, successful adults. No other organization uses such a comprehensive approach to fighting poverty, at such a scale or with as much impact. With a generation of proof, our innovative work over the decades has achieved unprecedented results with measurable economic and social impact in Harlem and beyond. We are the preeminent thought leader in the education, youth development, and poverty-fighting fields, informing policy and advocating for change at the local, state, and national levels. Called by President Obama "one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in history," we are sharing what we have learned with communities around the country and the world, inspiring widespread replication and changing the lives of millions beyond Harlem.



We are seeking part-time Arts Specialist to work directly with students in an after-school setting, leading small groups. Students participate in weekly discussions and activities around subjects such as lifetime decision making, identifying values, communication and critical thinking, resume building and interview techniques, social etiquette, conflict resolution, and community service, among others.

We are seeking an Arts Specialist to support our arts curriculum focusing on the following specialties:

Graphic Design

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare and develop age, and skill-appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, activities, and special projects that fuse the arts and academic competencies to be reviewed by supervisors before being taught
• Plan and facilitate a project-based unit
• Work with program participants to develop their artistic, educational and leadership potential
• Engage youth in the following areas through the arts: critical thinking; evaluation; risk-taking; hands-on project based learning; documentation of work; community-building and activism
• Coordinate subject related trips, guest speakers, special events, student exhibitions, and college trips
• Attend weekly staff meetings
• Share a knowledge of the history and current state of African, African-American and Latino issues and be able to interpret that into diverse learning opportunities
• Ability to communicate the progress of students and share insights discovered to team members on a regular basis
• Act as a role model for high school students
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• A commitment to Youth Development and the mission and programs of HCZ
• University-level education and practical experience in the content area is preferred (college students currently pursuing degree-level work are also encouraged to apply)
• Must have at least 2 years teaching experience
• Passion and experience with arts education, particularly involving high school-aged youth
• Flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm for young people
• Excellent planning, organization, communication and time management skills
• Ability to provide consistent and positive instruction as well as receive constructive criticism
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, available days and evenings
• Experience working in youth development with middle school youth and teaching well-developed enrichment courses, social consciousness, self-identity and efficacy
• Energetic, motivated self-starter and a team player
• Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively on projects with staff and students and full curriculum