Job Opening – Part Time Art Instructor

The mission of Oakland Kids First (OKF) is to create leadership opportunities for young people to transform their schools so that all youth graduate with the skills and motivation to succeed. Over the past fifteen years, OKF has developed a unique model for school improvement that demonstrates the importance of youth leadership and engagement as a strategy to improve school culture and achieve equitable outcomes for underserved students.

OKF is seeking a part time after school program instructor to support with coordinating an art after school project group. The group will engage young people in innovative hands-on projects that take art concepts from the classroom and turn them into real-world project-based learning experiences for our students

The ideal candidate would:

  • Be a committed youth worker who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves in a non-traditional setting and facilitate real-world skill building
  • Be a motivated and responsible leader who is dedicated to upholding a strong school culture
  • Have an ability to work with urban youth and collaborate with other adult allies within a social justice framework
  • Have a background in one or more of the following: fine art, video production, graphic design, muraling, photography, visual art, or app design  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Under the supervision of the Community Programs Manager at Castlemont High School, develop curriculum and engage youth in Multi-Media Art activities two times a week, after school from approximately 3:30pm until 6:00pm.
  • Implement systems for developing program curriculum, tracking attendance, and completing all necessary administrative paperwork program reports
  • Include parents/guardians, teachers, and other stakeholders in project development and implementation
  • Work with Community Programs Manager to develop and implement a recruitment and retention strategy for youth participants
  • Integrate a dynamic community engagement project into curriculum to help students develop skills to make a positive different in their communities
  • Teach students at varying levels and support them in exploring their artistic voice.  
  • Partner with community artists to introduce youth other mediums.
  • Participate in professional development activities with extended day staff and the larger organization
  • Integrate academic tutoring into program daily, and refer students to academic intervention programs when needed
  • Communicate with school day teachers about curriculum and multi-media art projects  

QUALIFICATIONS

  • 2+ years experience teaching or mentoring high-school age students in Multi-Media Art
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate youth towards the achievement of outcomes
  • Grounded in youth development and social justice principles and practices.
  • Experience in program development & coordination
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, organization, writing, and team-building skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create and model a culture of peer support, collaboration, and appreciation.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement curricula, lesson plans and to keep detailed records
  • Detail-oriented, organized, has good time management skills, an ability to follow-through and balance multiple tasks simultaneously, works as a team member
  • Experience working with diverse groups and communities
  • Flexibility, sense of humor, strong commitment to collaboration, self-reflection, and resourcefulness
  • Willing to work some evenings and weekends
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Multi-Media Arts field required or equivalent years of experience
  • 48 College semester units or passage of the OUSD Instructional Aide examination.
  • Ability to lift 20 lbs and engage in physical activities such as active ice breakers/team-builders
  • People of color encouraged to apply
  • Bilingual in Spanish or Mam is a plus

Hours and Compensation: Part Time  8 hours per week.

Start Date: August 2019

Offer of employment is contingent on passing a criminal background screen and TB test.

To apply, submit resume and cover letter to info@kidsfirstoakland.org.  Cover letter should include why you think you are an ideal candidate for this position and what experience you have that would prepare you for this position. Please include the job title in the subject line.

Thank you for applying.  Due to the volume of candidates, we are unable to contact each candidate individually.  If you are being considered for the position, you will be contacted within 5 business days.  We are unable to accept phone calls or walk-ins.

Minimum Requirements

Oakland Kids First provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other classification prohibited by applicable law.

The position is part time, 8 hours per week (.2 FTE), with some additional hours during major events. The Community Art Program Lead will report directly to the Community Programs Manager. Salary is commensurate with experience.