Art Specialist

Commonpoint Queens; New York (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonpoint Queens is seeking a Senior Camp Counselor within the Camp Department to design and lead art activities for youth during summer programs. The Art Specialist will create engaging, hands-on projects, manage supplies, and foster an inclusive, safe art space reporting to the Camp Director.

This role supports daily operations and collaborates with unit heads and counselors. The position runs Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm, June 29 to August 18, in-person, non-union, with seasonal salary considerations

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Experience with children in camp, school, or recreational setting.
• Background or strong interest in art, crafts, or creative programming.
• Ability to plan and lead engaging, hands‑on activities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain a clean and safe workspace.
• Energetic, creative, and able to engage a wide range of age groups.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Must pass background check and complete onboarding and compliance trainings.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead age-appropriate arts and crafts activities for campers across multiple age groups.
• Create a structured, engaging, and inclusive art program that encourages creativity and self-expression.
• Prepare materials and set up projects in advance to ensure smooth activity flow.
• Maintain organization and inventory of all art supplies and materials.
• Adapt projects to meet the needs and abilities of different age groups and skill levels.
• Ensure a safe and clean workspace, including proper use of tools and materials.
• Actively engage and supervise campers during all art activities.
• Collaborate with Unit Heads and counselors to coordinate group schedules and participation.
• Incorporate themed days and special events into art programming.
• Support behavior management and promote a positive, respectful environment.
• Assist with camp-wide events, displays, or showcases of camper artwork.
• Maintain flexibility to support other camp activities as needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Experience with children

Art programming interest

Plan and lead activities

Organization & time management

Teamwork & communication

Background check compliance

Job description

ABOUT COMMONPOINT

At Commonpoint, community is at the heart of everything we do. With more than 90 program sites and flagship locations in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica, we proudly serve over 125,000 individuals each year. From early childhood to older adulthood, we support people from all walks of life on their journeys from crisis to stability and empowerment. Our wide range of programs, spanning social services, education, and recreation, reflects our mission to build a more connected, inclusive, and thriving community for all.

ABOUT THE ROLE

To continue advancing the impact we have across the communities we serve, Commonpoint is hiring a Senior Camp Counselor situated within the Camp Department. The Camp Department plays a vital role in creating engaging, safe, and enriching summer experiences for youth through structured programming, social-emotional development, and community-building activities. The individual hired as Art Specialist will design and lead creative, hands-on art activities that encourage self-expression, creativity, and skill-building for campers of all ages. This role is responsible for planning engaging projects, maintaining supplies, and creating a fun, inclusive, and organized art environment. This role reports directly to the Camp Director. Across the agency, our seasonal and part-time staff play a crucial role in driving our initiatives forward by supporting daily operations, program delivery, and organizational goals.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Agency Expectations

• Support agency initiatives by carrying out assigned duties accurately and efficiently, while following established processes and contributing to basic data collection, reporting, or documentation as required.
• Use agency resources responsibly by following established procedures, safeguarding equipment and materials, and/or supporting cost-effective operations.
• Work effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and cross-department teams to ensure clear communication, timely task completion, and a positive, respectful work environment.
• Follow all safety protocols, policies, and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for staff, partners, and the public, and promptly report concerns or incidents.

Role Expectations

• Plan and lead age-appropriate arts and crafts activities for campers across multiple age groups
• Create a structured, engaging, and inclusive art program that encourages creativity and self-expression
• Prepare materials and set up projects in advance to ensure smooth activity flow
• Maintain organization and inventory of all art supplies and materials
• Adapt projects to meet the needs and abilities of different age groups and skill levels
• Ensure a safe and clean workspace, including proper use of tools and materials

• Actively engage and supervise campers during all art activities
• Collaborate with Unit Heads and counselors to coordinate group schedules and participation
• Incorporate themed days and special events into art programming
• Support behavior management and promote a positive, respectful environment
• Assist with camp-wide events, displays, or showcases of camper artwork
• Maintain flexibility to support other camp activities as needed
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY ATTRIBUTES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Experience working with children in a camp, school, or recreational setting
• Background or strong interest in art, crafts, or creative programming
• Ability to plan and lead engaging, hands‑on activities
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to maintain a clean and safe workspace
• Energetic, creative, and able to engage a wide range of age groups
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Must pass background check and complete all required onboarding and compliance trainings

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as an Art Instructor, Camp Specialist, or similar role
• Education or coursework in art, education, or a related field
• Experience working with a variety of art mediums (painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, etc.)
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to develop themed curriculum and multi‑day projects
• Experience supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs
• Strong classroom/group management skills

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Consistently shows up prepared, follows through on assigned responsibilities, and meets expectationswithin established timelines.
• Responds effectively to changing priorities, learns new tasks quickly, and applies feedback to improveperformance.
• Adheres to safety protocols, policies, and ethical standards, and represents the agency professionally in all interactions.

WORKING CONDITIONS & JOB DETAILS

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Environment, such as an office or outdoors.
• Exposures encountered, such as hazardous materials, loud noise, or extreme heat/cold.
• Essential physical requirements, such as climbing, standing, stooping, or typing.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary - up to 10 pounds; light - up to 20 pounds; medium - up to 50 pounds; heavy - over 50 pounds.
• Indicate if required to work weekends, nights, or be on-call as a regular part of the job.
• Travel requirements.

JOB DETAILS

Working schedule: Mon- Fri, 8am- 4pm June 29th-August 18th
Non Union Position
In Person

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Commonpoint offers competitive base salaries benchmarked against comparable nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Salaries are determined based on internal and external equity, as well as each position’s scope, qualifications, and organizational impact. We believe in compensating staff fairly and consistently, ensuring that all salary decisions align with our mission-driven commitment to equity and transparency. To maintain fairness across the organization, salary offers are set according to established salary bands and are not subject to negotiation. New hires typically start near the beginning of the salary range to allow for growth based on performance, professional development, and tenure. Seasonal Salary/Rate: $3,000 - $3,500 | Starting Salary: $3,000