artworxLA

Los Angeles, CA

Reports to Artistic Director

Celebrating our 30th anniversary as a high-impact arts education organization, artworxLA re-engages students through the arts and provides a creative pathway to a future beyond high school graduation. We combat the high school dropout rate in LA County by providing long-term sequential arts programming across 26 alternative high schools. We cultivate effective partnerships between artists, educators, cultural centers, and community organizations to amplify our collective impact and the voices of over 750 students we serve each year.

Youth Development Specialist
The Youth Development Specialist plays an integral role in helping students to discover their intrinsic motivation, build new skills, and prepare for progressive opportunities through artworxLA’s Advanced Programs. This highly collaborative position is a member of a two-person team that is responsible for recruiting 45 students from artworxLA’s classroom workshops to participate in after-school Arts Residency programs (past offerings include: Music Production with Young Producers Group, Fashion Design with Otis College of Art and Design, and Visual Arts with ArtCenter College of Design); consistent and persistent communication with participants, teachers, and families; and coaching participants through the successful completion of programming. The Youth Development Specialist is essential in helping to prepare students for additional opportunities with artworxLA, including summer scholarships and internship programs.

Primary responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Collaborate closely with Creative Pathways Specialist in designing program structure and a master calendar.
• Co-design and implement a Creative Career Skills curriculum that includes elements of leadership and life skills, college- and work-ready portfolios, guest speaker events with industry professionals, financial literacy, and other experiences that prepare youth for life after high school.
• Identify and hire Teaching Artists, and collaborate closely on thematic curriculum development.
• Co-facilitate workshops and provide encouragement and support for four Residency programs, two in the fall and two in the spring.
• Develop recruitment and orientation materials that are inclusive, informative, appealing, and speak to multiple stakeholders (students, school partners, families); coordinate classroom recruitment schedules; and represent Advanced Programs in communication with students, schools, and families.
• Coordinate logistics with Cultural Partners in planning and implementing field trips and culminating events.
• Coordinate with artworxLA, school staff, and community organizations to facilitate supportive services for students that might include transportation assistance, academic support, mental health support, and more.
• Manage residency supply and student support budgets.
• Maintain consistent and persistent communication with participants, including reminders to attend workshops and regular check-ins on participants’ needs and progress.
• Coordinate student participation in public presentations, the organization’s annual gala, and other special events that may occur on weekends and evenings throughout the year.
• Administrative projects include tracking attendance and evaluating programs, reporting data for Development, creating content for communications and social media, and other assigned tasks as needed.

Qualified candidates will possess previous arts workshop experience with teenagers and diverse student populations; experience in the arts (visual, performing, writing, media, design and/or music); knowledge of post-secondary education pathways in the arts; proficiency in design applications; good organizational skills; and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Must have a car with insurance and proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

Successful candidates will be adaptable, flexible, and willing to meet students where they are; have the ability to build trust in a meaningful mentorship experience; be part of a strong organizational team and show a history of good partnership with co-facilitators; create inclusive learning environments; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in ways that demonstrate cultural competence and cultural humility; add to the diverse backgrounds and experiences currently represented in the staff; and enjoy working for the benefit of young people. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Special consideration will be given to candidates whose lived experiences give greater understanding to the issues facing alternative school youth.

Terms of Employment 
Full-time position, 40 hours per week, with health and retirement benefits. $54,000 starting salary. Health/medical, PTO, life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan