Youth Programs Coordinator

Reports to Manager of Youth Programs
Part Time: Up to 28 hours/week; Temporary & Seasonal—Up to 50 weeks/year (typically mid-August – July)
Non-exempt

JOB PURPOSE

Orchestra of St. Luke’s (OSL) is seeking a part-time Youth Programs Coordinator to focus on community-building through Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s (YOSL), OSL’s after-school orchestral instrument instruction program. In collaboration with the Manager of Youth Programs, the Youth Programs Coordinator will be a liaison between families in the program and the YOSL faculty and staff. The coordinator will also play a major role in planning and managing community events to strengthen the connection between the youth orchestra families and the world-renowned professional ensemble, Orchestra of St. Luke’s.

Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s (YOSL) is an after-school orchestral instrument instruction program that serves 140 elementary and middle school-aged children and their families in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York. YOSL collaborates with five schools and community organizations to offer an inclusive program focused on youth development through lessons and performances intended to ground students in the language of music, new forms of self-expression, and lifelong problem-solving skills.

PRIMARY POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Plans and manages several YOSL community events throughout the school year, including:
    • Saturday Family Workshops (up to five 1.5-hour events per-school year)
    • Student visits to concerts at Carnegie Hall, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and various other NYC venues
    • Informal YOSL gatherings and assemblies
  • Regularly attends YOSL group music lessons at each of our partner sites in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood to provide individual assistance to students, as needed
  • Communicates with parents/guardians about student progress and challenges; acts as a liaison between YOSL families and teaching faculty
  • Maintains the YOSL instrument inventory, in collaboration with the Manager of Youth Programs. This involves coordination with OSL’s instrument vendors and communication with YOSL families
  • Maintains database and tracking of student, program, and faculty statistics
  • Communicates regularly via email, phone, and/or social media with YOSL families to promote educational events and opportunities
  • Plays an active role in recruiting new students into YOSL’s After-School Program and Ensembles
  • Assists Manager of Youth Programs in the maintenance of YOSL’s music library
  • Attends and takes minutes of weekly faculty meetings and bi-monthly professional development sessions, participating in the collaborative development of YOSL’s curriculum
  • Assists Manager of Youth Programs in the production of YOSL’s two program-wide concerts, one ensembles concert, and additional community performances
  • In some instances, acts as a chaperone for YOSL students or a substitute to lead a YOSL class
  • Performs other duties as needed to support the Education and Community Engagement team, including the production of OSL’s K-12 Educational Concerts
  • Assists with pre- and post-OSL event production as needed.

WHO YOU ARE

Essential

  • A minimum of two years of professional experience working in arts education in an arts organization or school; four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required
  • A passion for youth development and music education
  • Exceptional communication: interpersonal, written language, and phone demeanor
  • Experience working with K-12 students, teachers, and parents
  • Availability to work on occasional evenings and weekends
  • Team player who is reliable and dependable

Strongly Preferred

  • Ideal candidate will have familiarity with music education pedagogies and the culture of youth orchestras and/or community music schools
  • Experience developing age-appropriate strategies to engage children at different stages through music
  • Excellent computer skills: knowledge of Google, Outlook, Word, Excel, social media, and Zoom
  • Experience in event production; e.g., concerts or family workshops

Preferred

  • Familiarity with music education pedagogies and the culture of youth orchestras and/or community music schools
  • Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the fundamentals of playing string instruments
  • Knowledge of and interest in El Sistema and other youth orchestra programs
  • Experience playing a musical instrument/ability to read music
  • Ability to tune stringed instruments (specifically violins, viola, and cellos) is a plus
  • Ability to speak Spanish or Mandarin is a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Use of an office phone, computer and internet is required.
  • This job will be based in OSL’s offices in the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Manager will also regularly visit school campuses in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood; may work from home occasionally as city/state-wide health measures require.
  • A cell phone and remote access to e-mail and office files are strongly recommended, as many tasks take place offsite.
  • Required to visit school sites, which may be in walking or driving distance.
  • Ability to carry instruments between sites.
  • On some occasions, it may be necessary for the Youth Programs Coordinator to participate in program activities in support of the teaching faculty, which may include: playing an instrument, assisting with student coaching, leading music games, etc.
  • For documentation purposes, it may be necessary to take pictures or record classes.

COMPENSATION

The hourly rate for this position is $20.00 – $22.00.

APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to education@OSLmusic.org with the subject line “Youth Programs Coordinator.” No telephone calls, please.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

OSL values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. For more information, please click here.