VAPA Specialist, Performing Arts

Job Title: Visual and Performing Arts Specialist
Reports To :  Visual and Performing Arts Manager
Hourly Range: $28.00-35.00 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)
Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt
Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday; Occasional weekends
Location: Moreno Valley, CA (Inland Empire)

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people?

Who We Are:

In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path. 

What We Do:  

Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer LifeCraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 2,000 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 150 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is an experienced dance educator whose specialty is ballet folklórico. They bring deep knowledge of folklórico history and culture, including regional styles, music, costuming, and the traditions behind each dance, and they know how to share that history in ways that engage young people. They also have working knowledge of other styles such as modern, hip-hop, contemporary, and cheer. This person is creative, confident, and not shy: they are comfortable demonstrating, performing, and leading high-energy sessions in front of students and staff. They have proven teaching experience, thrive in collaborative environments, and are skilled at training and coaching others. They align with the organization's values and culture, and are motivated to inspire students, support frontline staff, and contribute to a dynamic, student-centered expanded learning environment .

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers:

• Competitive salary – [insert hourly or salary range]
• Paid vacation & sick time – generous time off to recharge
• Lifecraft program – free college & career advancement for all staff
• Upward mobility – promote-from-within culture
• Health, dental & vision – comprehensive benefits coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan – invest in your future
• Pet insurance – because your whole family matters
• Mission-driven work – impact 30,000 + young people annually

Role Overview:

The VAPA Specialist, Performing Arts, supports expanded learning staff with curriculum, training, and on-site coaching to ensure high-quality programming in performing arts clubs. The Specialist researches emerging practices in dance and performing arts education and uses them to create curriculum that supports strong program implementation.
As part of the Learning & Development Team, the Specialist develops trainings with a primary focus on ballet folklórico, including its history and cultural context, as well as modern, hip-hop, cheer, color guard, and related styles. The Specialist conducts site visits to observe clubs, model lessons, and coach Performing Arts Club Leaders. Trainings are delivered in person or remotely.

Responsibilities:

• Identify or develop curriculum material in support of high-quality performing arts programing and staff development.
• Identify or develop and facilitate/deliver training material in support of high-quality programing and staff development.
• Evolve and facilitate/deliver existing training as part of staff support, including ongoing New Hire Orientation and additional follow-up training as needed.
• Research best practices in youth development to inform development and ongoing curriculum and training evolution.
• Collaborate with Learning Team and Program Team to identify organizational, program, and team needs.
• Collaborate with Learning Team and Program Team to coordinate training logistics.
• Collaborate with Program Team to coordinate events/field trips for performing arts and/or visual arts programs.
• Identify and coordinate potential partners that would provide training for staff.
• Lead any “train-the-trainer” academies and/or/trainings that may be needed.
• Development and implementation of program support tools and resources as needed.
• Work with VAPA Manager to set targets, manage projects, and evaluate progress and impact.
• Participate in staff development training as required, approximately 40 hours /year.
• Ensure program compliance and program quality is met according to funding, partner and WR guidelines and requirements.
• Other related duties.

Qualifications/Skills:

• AA Degree in Child Development or a related field is preferred or minimum of one year of experience as a group leader working with children and 6 units in child development.
• WR will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for ALL employees providing any in-person work with staff or clients.
• Experience across multiple dance genres: Folklorico, Hip-Hop, Modern, and Cheer
• Enthusiastic to work well with youth development staff and/or youth.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Ability to travel to the various regions that have Woodcraft Rangers programs to support or deliver in person training. Regions would include San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA and Downtown areas.
• Computer literacy and willingness to learn.
• Stable Internet Access
• Valid LIVE Scan

Physical Demands:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Frequent standing is required during working hours
• The ability to travel across the Great Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month. 
• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential. 
• Must be able to occasionally lift/move up to 40 pounds. 
• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities. 

Work Environment:

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:

• We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:
• Regular working hours are from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings required for events, training, or conferences.
• Optional weekly work-from-home opportunities.
• Travel is necessary to various regions where Woodcraft Rangers programs are implemented, including San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, and Downtown areas, to support or deliver in-person training.
• Regular exposure to a computer monitor during work.
• The typical noise level of a standard work environment.
• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance.

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.