Visual Arts Teaching Artist - Middle (Ozone Park)

Visual Arts Activity Specialist for Middle School Program, Ozone Park (MS 202) Queens

(Part-Time Position) 
South Asian Youth Action (SAYA)

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is committed to providing its employees opportunities for growth in a supportive community environment. As an Activity Specialist, you will receive access to external opportunities and have considerable autonomy in designing and implementing new projects and curricula. With a school-day schedule and a generous benefits package, SAYA provides its employees a healthy work-life balance in a fast-growing youth development nonprofit.

SAYA: Belong. Grow. Thrive.

Organization Description:

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is an inclusive, South Asian-focused 501(c)3 youth development organization. Through our innovative, holistic approach, we work toward education equity by providing opportunities and resources to less privileged New York City youth, ensuring they are empowered academically, emotionally, and socially to become engaged community members. 

Established in 1996, SAYA has grown into a $3.8 million organization currently serving over 1,400 youth each year through programming at nine NYC schools and our community center in Elmhurst, Queens. SAYA is committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging and ensuring that each of our program sites serve as safe and brave spaces where all young people feel valued, culturally affirmed, and welcomed. 

Position Summary:

The Activity Specialist will be responsible for developing a broad range of enrichment activities that promote creativity and self-expression. SAYA seeks experienced visual arts instructors to teach different aspects of visual arts at our middle school after school program. 

Reports to: Program Director

Compensation: $30-$45 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Must be available 2-5 days per week. This is an in-person position for the school year from September through June with potential rehire for summer and the following year.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise all activities to ensure the health, safety and well-being of program participants.

• Develop lesson plans of age-appropriate visual arts activities and themes that will support the development of social-emotional learning competencies, seek to build imagination and encourage artistic exploration.

• Facilitate purposeful activities that foster the development of new skills in youth in an engaging, creative and responsive manner.

• Manage classroom and maintain positive learning environment.

• Build positive relationships with youth and adults and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication and overall attitude.

• Ensure proper care of all spaces and materials, organize room and report any misused or damaged materials to the Program Director.

• Complete and submit in a timely manner all program reports relative to this position, including but not limited to: supply request, lesson plans, incident reports, attendance, and timesheets.

• Assist Program Coordinator with ordering and maintaining equipment and/or supplies.

• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings and special events.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or current college students preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required.

• Minimum of 2 years of academic preparation in visual arts, or equivalent training.

• Knowledge and understanding of youth development, after school and public education.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities, people and projects effectively.

• Experience in providing individualized and group instruction to meet the needs of youth with various level of skills. 

• Experience designing and teaching courses to ensure youth success and supports youth-centered learning.

• Demonstrated knowledge of painting and drawing techniques including but not limited to charcoal and pencil drawing and watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. Other skills desirable could include, but are not limited to digital art, book arts, graphic design, installation or fabrication.

• A genuine enthusiasm for developing professional skills through training opportunities and field practice.

• Comply with School Age Child Care (SACC) requirements including background check and medical clearance.

Key Competencies

Ideal candidate will excel in the following areas:

• Communication: The candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people including youth, teachers, school administrations, parents, and other staff. They will be able to work as part of a team with the school community and other SAYA programs. They will be able to consider situations from multiple perspectives in order to avoid and manage conflict.

• Flexibility: The candidate will be comfortable adapting to changing circumstances. They will be able to work with youth of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Note: Following federal and New York City mandates for programs that receive government funding, all SAYA new hires must provide either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of having received one dose of the two-dose vaccination prior to beginning their employment. There is no testing alternative for SAYA employees.

SAYA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.