Arts Specialist, Harlem Children's Zone

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.

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; rehearsals; 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 middle school students
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• A commitment to Youth Development and the mission and programs of HCZ
• Conservatory training and/or 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 dance teaching experience
• Passion and experience with arts education, particularly involving middle 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 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