Position Summary:
The Program Manager oversees the quality and implementation of the comprehensive curricula in the categories of drumming, fiddle, ensembles, guitar, piano, ukulele, and voice for children and visual arts for all ages, and the coordination of education workshops at all Old Town School campuses and in satellite locations where required.

This includes establishing and achieving goals for new student enrollment and student retention, establishing and monitoring curriculum, ensuring quality faculty, coaching and managing faculty to success, and monitoring student satisfaction.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Music Education or Early Childhood Education required, along with two or more years' experience teaching music to young children. Two or more years of program management experience required. Experience supervising teachers preferred. Must have proficiency on one or more of the instruments supervised.


• Must be able to lead successfully in a highly collaborative environment.


• Must be an effective communicator in verbal, electronic, and written forms, and have experience working with diverse groups.


• Must be computer capable including Mac and/or PC skills, ideally with Filemaker experience.

• Works with Marketing team, faculty and students to ensure programs meet enrollment objectives (attracting new students and retaining existing students).


• Establishes and monitors curriculum goals and objectives (classes, workshops, and special events for children and families) for assigned program areas.


• Works with faculty to build a robust class catalog that aligns with student interests and needs, offers an appropriate number of classes in core and specialty subjects, and minimizes class cancellations due to low enrollment.


• Works with faculty to develop classes and activities that maximize student learning and provide a consistently positive Old Town School community experience.
• Hires, trains, schedules, and supervises faculty for assigned program areas including development of new class and workshop initiatives. Plans and facilitates faculty training and meetings for assigned program areas. Enters teacher and accompanist substitutions and special events into payroll log.


• Evaluates faculty performance on an ongoing basis, develops faculty professionally, and acts as a liaison between faculty and Old Town School leadership.


• Partners with colleagues on events, faculty issues and promotions.


• Manages customer service requests, comments, and complaints from students. Counsels student families on classes and appropriate levels of study.


• Maintenance of assigned programs in the Filemaker system to include:
  
  • Scheduling rooms for classes, workshops, recitals, and showcases.
  
  
  • Managing computer program entries for scheduling, describing, canceling, and changing offerings.


• Schedules, coordinates, and emcees program performances including room reservations, lighting and sound technician, and volunteers.


• Coordinates the facility and set-up needs for workshops across all education programs. Acts as a liaison to the Operations team with regard to workshops.


• Monitors maintenance and equipping of classrooms. Assesses equipment, books, music props, and materials and researches necessary purchases.


• Makes recommendations for supporting materials to the school store and Resource Center.


• Other duties as assigned.

If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.

Summary
The Old Town School of Folk Music's Community Ventures program is a portfolio of fee and grant-based programs that operate in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and community partners primarily located in Chicago's south and west side neighborhoods. The Director of the Community Ventures program is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of high-quality programs across the portfolio, deepening Old Town School's engagement with our current audiences and broadening the School's reach to new audiences in neighborhoods across Chicago.

Qualifications

• Highly creative thinker with a solid track record of accomplishment in program development and execution.


• Entrepreneurial Leadership experience taking complex projects from conception through development, funding, coalition building, production, and assessment.


• Experience and solid track record of applying for grants and tracking activities, expenses, etc.


• Experience managing a budget.


• Ability to build relationships within Old Town School, as well as with community partners, funders teaching artists, and program participants.


• Articulate and persuasive in oral and written communications; comfortable as a public speaker.


• Passion for and knowledge of the arts (especially music and dance) and arts education.


• Familiar with the landscape of Chicago funders, arts programmers, and artistic communities strongly preferred.


• Committed and dedicated to justice, addressing inequality, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and using music, dance, and the arts to heal and grow.


• Adept with current web and social media platforms as well as MS Office.


• Experience supervising direct reports and overseeing program staff.


• Five years of related experience required.


• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.


• Direct experience working with the arts and/or education communities on the south and west sides of Chicago strongly preferred.


• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.


• Ability to travel to program locations.


• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.

Examples of Duties:
Reporting to the CEO, this senior leadership position is responsible for conceiving, developing, and producing a variety of new projects, and coordinating innovation across departments. The director produces an extensive calendar of one-off and drop-in programs, residencies with visiting artists, special events, and ambitious extended thematic engagement programs.

The Director of Community Ventures fulfills several related roles:

• As a planner, looks for creative solutions to ongoing issues and new directions for innovative project development, and looks for new opportunities to grow programs, partnerships, and funding.


• As a sustainability engineer, builds fiscally sound programs with appropriate input from within the School and the community.


• As a researcher, pursues data collection and/or seeks outside assistance in assembling relevant information to inform program direction.


• As a facilitator, brings together and catalyzes the work of ad-hoc working groups necessary for success.


• As a visionary, conceives new ideas for engaging audiences, and adapts best practices from across the creative economy.


• As a partner and colleague, is an enthusiastic and inspirational change leader.

If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a motivated Dance & Movement Coordinator to maintain a comprehensive dance and movement curriculum for adults, teens and children.

Qualifications: Expertise in the language and practice of music and dance required. At least two years of prior experience in administration of similar dance and music programs is highly desired. Must be computer capable including Mac and/or PC skills, ideally with Filemaker experience. Must also be an effective communicator in verbal, electronic, and written forms, and have experience working with diverse groups.

If interested and qualified, please email resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org

The Old Town School Music Store is seeking an outgoing and enthusiastic part time sales associate. We are looking for a gear-head with excellent customer service skills who has experience selling instruments, accessories, books, and other music-related items.

This person must be proficient at playing guitar and one other instrument, be able to restring guitars, answer technical customer questions and have excellent customer service skills. Must have a minimum of 2 years retail experience, preferably at a music store.

Experience with RAIN retail P.O.S. software is a plus, as are bilingual skills and back room experience restocking packing and shipping. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, is required.

Discounts at the school and some voluntary benefits are available for part-time employees. If interested and qualified, please email resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.

Applicants must be responsive, articulate, and willing to pitch in where needed. Three years of customer service experience and computer skills are required. The ability to play at least one instrument at an intermediate level is strongly preferred. The capacity to communicate effectively with diplomacy and tact is essential. Problem solving skills and sound judgment are critical as well as well. Must be able to work independently and be accurate when performing transactions (i.e. cash handling, registrations, etc.). Bilingual Spanish skills are highly desired. An interest in art, dance, theatre, and education is helpful.

Must be flexible to work weekend as well as afternoon/evening hours. Shifts would be at multiple locations.

Discounts at the school and some voluntary benefits are available for part-time employees.

If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org. Be sure to include CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE in the subject line of your email to us.

Instructor Qualifications:

• Must have at least 3 years of experience working with children ages 7-11


• Must have a strong background and/or degree in one's artistic field, plus a bachelor's degree


• Must have lots of energy, patience, enthusiasm and creativity


• Must be extremely comfortable teaching and managing children


• Must be organized and have a strong dedication to one's work community


• serious commitment to working with children is absolutely essential

Art Instructors:

• Architecture and small scale model building
  Part-time, June 22nd through July 3rd, 2020
  Small scale model building in the following styles as primary focus: Googie, Space Age, or Roadside Architecture

• Basic Printmaking
  Part-time, July 6th through July 17th, 2020
  Focus on Beatnik art, counterculture movement art, political art of the 1960's, or the works of or similar to Rolly Crump

• Typography, font design, and/or modern hand lettering
  Part-time, July 20th through July 31st, 2020
  Creative expression through the written word; words can take on a different feeling or meaning based on their aesthetic. This class is a means to explore rudimentary graphic design concepts and make it accessible to a young audience, using paper, pens, and other simple art materials.

Music Instructors:

• Roots of Rock n Roll
  Part-time, June 22nd through July 3rd, 2020
  An interactive history of Rock n Roll music. Many of our students are not musicians, so the ability to teach music (whether it's playing an instrument, singing, or musicianship) to all skill levels is a must.

Dance and Movement Instructors:

• Musical Theatre, Modern, Hip-hop, or streetdance. Experience choreographing Flash Mob performances a plus.

If interested and qualified, please email a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.
Please include “Camp Instructor” in your subject line, and please indicate the age group and class for which you would prefer to be considered.
If called in to interview, please be prepared to discuss the following: a class proposal, class goals, and teaching philosophy.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks an art instructor skilled in Street Art for Summer Arts Camp 2020. Instructors will teach two 75-minute classes Mon-Fri from 6/22-7/3.

Qualifications:

• Must have at least 3 years of experience working with teens ages 12-15


• Must have a strong background and/or degree in one's artistic field, plus a bachelor's degree


• Must have lots of energy, patience, enthusiasm and creativity


• Must be extremely comfortable teaching and managing teens


• Must be organized and have a strong dedication to one's work community


• A serious commitment to working with teens is absolutely essential

If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.and be sure to include “Art Instructor” in the subject line.

If called in to interview, please be prepared to discuss the following: a class proposal, class goals, and teaching philosophy.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a part time children's dance instructor to join our one week Musical Theater Camp for 7 to 13 year olds. In this role, the instructor will work with students to create multiple story driven dance pieces to be presented in the final showcase performance on 8/14. The instructor will be responsible for a one hour long class each afternoon as well as participating in a one hour all-camp rehearsal each afternoon.

• Must have at least 3 years of experience working with children ages 7-13.


• Bachelor's degree in dance, plus a strong background in teaching choreography to children.


• Must have a great deal of energy, patience, enthusiasm and creativity.


• Must be extremely comfortable teaching and managing children.


• Must be organized and have a strong dedication to one's work community.


• A serious commitment to working with children is absolutely essential.

If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org, and be sure to include “Dance Instructor” in the subject line.
If called in for an interview, please be prepared to discuss a class proposal, class goals, and your teaching philosophy.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks experienced and enthusiastic Arts Mentors for Summer Camp 2020 at our 4545 N. Lincoln Avenue location (Lincoln Square).

Arts Mentors will be required to attend three days of training prior to the start of Camp (June 17, 18 and 19) and will then be responsible for guiding their campers through the camp day, Monday through Friday, for six weeks.

The Camp hours are as follows:
9am-3pm (Arts Mentors will need to report to work no later than 8:30am and leave no later than 3:15pm, unless there is a staff meeting.)
Showcase performances are every other Friday at 6pm. Showcase duration varies by Camp session, however, please expect to stay until 9pm on Showcase nights.

Under supervision of the Teen Program Manager and Camp Leader, the Arts Mentors help lead and oversee day-to-day activities, lead the entire group in transitions, and act as both a point person for teachers and as a liaison for parents. The Arts Mentors help oversee arrival and departure of campers, aid in ensuring safety of the group, collaborate on a variety of arts-based projects with Camp Leader and campers, communicate with the teaching team and the camp families, and help organize the three end-of-camp performance showcases.

Qualifications:

• Candidates must have completed at least two years of an undergraduate arts or arts education program. Though it's not required, it's strongly preferable for the candidate to be actively practicing their craft.


• Candidates for the Arts Mentor position must have at least 2 years experience working with teens ages 12-15, and must be very comfortable creating and leading educational activities for students in that age bracket. Candidates must also be comfortable communicating with parents, via email, phone, or in person. Additionally, the Arts Mentor must be able to remain calm under pressure and be a creative problem solver.


• Proficiency with technology, especially iPads, iMovie editing, and Google Drive, are required.

Once hired, counselors are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training (provided), as well as CPR/First Aid Training (provided). Other required paperwork to be completed once hired: a background check and fingerprinting.

If interested and qualified, please email a cover letter and resume to hiring@oldtownschool.org. Please include “Arts Mentor” in your subject line.

Due Date: March 16, 2020
Please do not expect a reply before that time. Please, no phone calls.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks experienced and enthusiastic camp counselors for Summer Camp 2020 at our 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue location (Lincoln Square).

Counselors will be required to attend three days of training prior to the start of Camp (June 17, 18 and 19) and will then be responsible for guiding their campers through the camp day, Monday through Friday, for six weeks. This position requires supervising and interacting with a group of young campers at all times, participating in music/dance/theater/visual art classes, and leading non-classroom activities. Counselors may collaborate with other peers or Camp Leaders.

Camp hours are as follows:
4-6 Camp: 9am-12pm (counselors will need to report to work no later than 8:30am and leave no later than 12:15pm, unless there is a staff meeting.)
7-11 Camp: 9am-3pm (counselors will need to report to work no later than 8:30am and leave no later than 3:15pm, unless there is a staff meeting.)

*Additional hours are available for counselors if they wish to participate in Extended Hours Camp. (Exclusively for 7-11 campers, 8am-9am and 3pm-5pm.)

Qualifications:

• Candidates must have completed at least two years of an undergraduate arts or arts education program. Though it's not required, it's strongly preferable for the candidate to be actively practicing their craft.


• Candidates for the counselor position must have at least 2 years experience working with children ages 4-6 or 7-11 (or both), and must be comfortable creating and leading educational activities for children in that age bracket. (Examples of experience: in a camp setting, in a school, as a caregiver/babysitter/au pair, in children's theater, etc.)


• A background in and a passion for the arts is critical. Though it's not required, it's strongly preferable for the candidate to know how to play an instrument, and to be comfortable singing with a group. (More specifically for the 4-6 age group, but applicable to the 7-11 group as well.) The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, energetic, an excellent communicator, organized and punctual, and a creative problem solver.

Once hired, counselors are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training (provided), as well as CPR/First Aid Training (provided). Other required paperwork to be completed once hired: a background check and fingerprinting.

Qualified applicants, please email a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.
Please include “Camp Counselor” in your subject line, and please indicate the age group (4-6 or 7-11) for which you would prefer to be considered.

Due Date: March 16, 2020
Please, no phone calls.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a part-time teacher available on Saturdays and weekday mornings for its acclaimed early childhood music program, Wiggleworms, which will soon be offered on the South Side through the Music Moves program. Classes are for children newborn to 5 years old accompanied by an adult.

At least three years of experience teaching young children in a classroom setting is required. Teachers must be creative, passionate about music, and be able to enthusiastically lead grownups and kids in musical learning with culturally responsive material. Must be an intermediate musician, a strong vocalist, have a background and/or degree in music, and open to a co-instructional teaching model. Performance experience singing for children is a big plus, as is fluency in Spanish.

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition. If interested and qualified, please email resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks piano teachers to teach group classes in its
newest location in the South Loop in partnership with Columbia College Chicago.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree (Music Education or Music Performance
  preferred)


• Minimum two years of teaching experience preferred


• Experience teaching piano in a group setting preferred


• High level of musicianship and personal responsibility


• Ability to teach beginning through advanced levels required


• Ability to teach young children through adults


• Candidate with a knowledge of diverse piano repertoire preferred


• Multi-instrumentalist a plus

For consideration, please send resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a part-time teacher available on weekend and weekday mornings for its acclaimed early childhood music program, Wiggleworms® Classes are for children newborn to 5 years old accompanied by an adult and are taught by one teacher who accompanies themselves on guitar.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience teaching young children in a classroom setting


• Teachers must be creative, passionate about music, and be able to enthusiastically lead grown ups with their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in musical learning


• Must play guitar and be a strong singer


• Must have background in music and/or degree in music


• Experience working with infants, babies, and toddlers preferred


• Proficiency on another instrument preferred


• Fluency in Spanish a plus

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition. If interested and qualified, please email resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org. Please, no phone calls.

Cleans and maintains buildings and facilities, usually during the night and early morning when the buildings are unoccupied. Must be available weekends and evenings.

Must be capable of basic physical labor such as mopping, sweeping, and hauling trash. Must be able to work unsupervised and complete set tasks in the time allowed. Basic mechanical and repair skills preferred. Able to address a wide array of physical and mechanical tasks and repairs.

This work can be physically demanding, requiring the following physical activities: reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, lifting objects up to 50 pounds, standing, walking, climbing, grasping, feeling, and visual acuity. This work may include exposure to strong smells such as paint and thinners.

Examples of Duties:

• Mopping, dusting and sweeping.


• Emptying trash and moving to outside dumpsters.


• Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms.


• Returning equipment, supplies, and furniture to appropriate locations prior to the start of the business day.


• May perform minor repairs to facilities and equipment.


• May work on outside maintenance, shoveling snow, spreading salt, etcÉ


• Other duties as assigned.

If interested and qualified, please email resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org. Please, no phone calls.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a part-time teacher available on Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons/early evenings for its early childhood piano classes in Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree (early childhood education, music, or related field preferred.


• Minimum two years of teaching experience in an early childhood classroom setting preferred.


• Exceptional communication skills required.


• Must be a seasoned pianist and a tuneful vocal model with a background or degree in music.


• Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of developmentally appropriate early childhood education.


• Candidates must demonstrate a creative and energetic teaching approach rooted in singing games, active music making, and experiential learning.

Qualified candidates will be invited to interview and audition. If interested and qualified, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks piano teachers to teach private lessons at
the Armitage and Lincoln Square locations.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree (Music Education or Performance preferred)


• Minimum two years of teaching experience preferred


• Experience teaching private piano lessons preferred


• High level of musicianship and personal responsibility


• Ability to teach beginning through advanced levels required


• Ability to teach young children through adults


• Candidate with a knowledge of diverse piano repertoire preferred


• Multi-instrumentalist a plus

For consideration, please send resume and cover letter to hiring@oldtownschool.org.