Activity Specialist, K-12

Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc. (HCZ) is a multi-site, multi-program community organization that provides a unique and comprehensive interlocking network of education, social and health services, and recreation to more than 26,000 children and adults in Central Harlem.

Many of the children HCZ works with go to public schools and attend its engaging after-school programs. Whether in its Promise Academy charter schools or public schools, HCZ’s high standards and expectations are the same for all its children ensuring that all of them are on track to attend college and successfully graduate.

HCZ’s overarching goal is to create a "tipping point" in the neighborhood so that children are surrounded by an enriching environment of college-oriented peers and supportive adults.

Nationally and internationally recognized for its early and progressive intervention programs, HCZ has been lauded by The New York Times as one of the most ambitious social-policy experiments of our time.

Lead our students to a bright future in the arts! We are looking for enthusiastic part-time Art Specialists across various disciplines to guide our students in after-school activities.

Our students are brimming with creativity, and Harlem Children's Zone provides the tools to lead them to success. During the day, our students are engaged in learning the basics! After school is the time to develop any special interests! They can learn to dance or learn how to write a play and anything in between!

As an Arts Specialist, you will facilitate weekly lesson plans, activities, and creative projects related to your specialty.

You will also teach, facilitate and promote lifetime decision-making, identifying values, communication, critical thinking, resume-building and interview techniques, social etiquette, conflict resolution, and community service, among others.

Feel free to apply If you specialize in :

• Television Production
• Dance (All Styles)
• Architecture
• Theater / Acting
• Screen Writing
• Music & Lyricists
• Spoken word and poetry
• Graphic Design (Cont’d on Back)
• Radio Broadcasting
• Podcasting
• Debate
• Animation
• Chess / Strategy based games
• Videography for television
• Photography
• Robotics
• Coding / Computer Programming
• Audio / Sound engineering
• Wood Working
• Painting
• Sculpting / Pottery
• Fashion and Cosmetology
• Boxing
• Martial Arts
• Cooking / Culinary
• Chemistry
• Anything Interesting that isn't mentioned on this list!

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 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 with team members on a regular basis
• Act as a role model for all 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 of teaching experience
• Passion and experience with arts education involving 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 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

The compensation range for this position is $25-$30 per hour.