Artist - Mending Arts (5966)

Center for Family Services; Passaic (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Part time

Job summary

Center for Family Services in Passaic County, NJ seeks a Mending Arts artist to collaborate with a clinician, delivering art education and therapeutic activities for youth aged 5-17. The role emphasizes mindfulness, coping, and relaxation through diverse art forms including music, theater, writing, and dance.

In-person sessions are preferred, with teletherapy considered as needed; a Bachelor’s in Art and at least two years of art experience are required, plus strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Art.
• 2+ years working in the field of art.
• Experience teaching art to K-12 or groups of youth.
• Ability to communicate with parents/guardians professionally.
• Bi-lingual artists encouraged but not required.
• NJ driver’s license and reliable vehicle required.

Responsibilities

• Plan art projects with the clinician before sessions to support the therapeutic lesson.
• Provide a materials list prior to sessions for the Program Coordinator to purchase.
• Assist with pre-surveys and post-surveys for youth at session start and near end.
• Lead age-appropriate art lessons and assist youths during sessions.
• Collaborate to manage conflicts using de-escalation, listening, and conflict-resolution; report issues.

Skills

Art education

Youth outreach

Communication

De-escalation

Trauma-informed care

Driver's license

Bilingual (encouraged)

Host-site coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Art

Job description

Location: Passaic County, NJ
Job Type/Status: Fee for Service

Summary:The Mending Arts artist works in tandem with a clinician to create and implement art education
and clinical interventions for small groups of youth/teens, aged 5-17. The goal is to engage these youth/teens to
communicate their thoughts and emotions through the Arts as a means of healthy expression. The artist will
incorporate the therapeutic concepts into an art focus each week by determining age-appropriate, creative, and
interesting ways the youth learn to practice art for the purpose of mindfulness, coping and relaxation. The artist is
encouraged to pull from all forms of art aside from art media, including music, theater, writing, dance and more.
The combined professions of the artist and clinician will help these children to help build trusting relationships and
friendships in a space where all are safe, respected and understood. Groups will preferably be held in-person but we
may allow for teletherapy as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The artist meets with the clinician prior to the launch of sessions for 1 hour to plan the art projects which
  will aid the therapeutic lesson for each session. The artist will arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to the
  start of sessions and will be the last to leave, along with the clinician.
• Prior to the start of the sessions, the artist will supply a list of materials needed for the sessions so that the
  Program Coordinator can purchase them in time.
• At the first session, the artist assists the clinician to ensure that every youth completes the pre-survey and
  again, two weeks prior to the close of the sessions, will assist in the completion of all post-surveys.
• The artist is responsible for executing the age-appropriate art lesson, instruction, and assistance to the
  youth/teens in session.
• The artist and clinician will be responsible for managing any conflict or issues which arise in the group by
  using de-escalation skills, active listening skills, conflict resolution skills and will report any challenges in
  session immediately to the assistant director.

Job Requirements (Qualifications):

• Bachelor's Degree in Art is required.
• Experience in teaching art at the K-12 level or working successfully with youth and teens in creative art
  activities in groups is required.
• Ability to speak with parents/guardians/host site leaders in a welcoming, professional manner.
• A minimum of 2 years working in the field of art is required.
• The artist must have excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to incorporate de-escalation techniques and trauma informed care practices is required.
• Maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with the host-site is required. This includes reporting
  damages to anything inside and outside of the host site and being proactive in maintaining the building,
  space, restrooms, furniture, floors and anything else related to the host site.
• A valid NJ driver's license and a reliable vehicle are required.
• Bi-lingual artists are encouraged to apply but this is not a requirement for this position.

DisclaimerMany positions require motor vehicle recordevaluations and medical clearances. Center For Family Services is an equalopportunity employer offering competitive salaries and excellent benefitspackages.