Creative Arts Engagement Specialist: Drumming & Movement

Heartshare; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Flexible spending account

Professional development opportunities

Employee appreciation programs

Job summary

HeartShare is seeking a Creative Arts & Community Inclusion Specialist—Drumming & Movement Arts—to design, deliver, and adapt engaging arts programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Day & Community Services in New York City. You will use drumming, rhythm, movement, and expressive arts to boost communication, confidence, wellness, self-expression, and community inclusion.

The role emphasizes person-centered goals, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music, Performing Arts, Therapeutic Recreation, Human Services, Education, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or similar populations.
• Experience facilitating drumming, percussion, music, movement, or community arts programs.
• Experience leading group activities, performances, or community engagement events preferred.
• Experience in OPWDD Day Habilitation, HCBS, or other community-based programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate adaptive drumming, rhythm, and movement-based programming across HeartShare programs.
• Lead individual and group drumming sessions using a variety of percussion instruments and adaptive techniques.
• Incorporate movement and expressive arts to promote engagement, coordination, communication, and emotional well-being.
• Adapt activities to meet participants' individual abilities, communication styles, and support needs.
• Foster confidence, social interaction, self-expression, and community inclusion through creative arts experiences.
• Coordinate drumming circles, performances, community events, and cultural engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support person-centered goals and daily programming.
• Assist in developing innovative creative arts programming and community partnerships.
• Maintain program documentation, equipment, and compliance with agency policies and OPWDD regulations.
• Participate in agency meetings, trainings, and professional development.

Skills

Drumming facilitation

Movement-based programming

Adaptability

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music or related field

Job description

The Creative Arts & Community Inclusion Specialist - Drumming & Movement Arts develops and delivers engaging, person-centered creative arts programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across HeartShare Human Services Day & Community Services programs. Using drumming, rhythm-based activities, movement, and expressive arts, this role promotes communication, confidence, wellness, self-expression, and community inclusion while creating meaningful opportunities for participants to build relationships, develop skills, and enhance their quality of life.

Primary Responsibilities And Essential Functions Of Position

• Design and facilitate adaptive drumming, rhythm, and movement-based programming across HeartShare programs.
• Lead individual and group drumming sessions using a variety of percussion instruments and adaptive techniques.
• Incorporate movement and expressive arts to promote engagement, coordination, communication, and emotional well-being.
• Adapt activities to meet participants' individual abilities, communication styles, and support needs.
• Foster confidence, social interaction, self-expression, and community inclusion through creative arts experiences.
• Coordinate drumming circles, performances, community events, and cultural engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support person-centered goals and daily programming.
• Assist in developing innovative creative arts programming and community partnerships.
• Maintain program documentation, equipment, and compliance with agency policies and OPWDD regulations.
• Participate in agency meetings, trainings, and professional development.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively participate in drumming, movement, and community-based activities.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and engage in physical activity for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, transport, and set up percussion instruments and equipment (up to 25 pounds).
• Ability to travel between HeartShare program sites and community locations throughout New York City.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music, Performing Arts, Therapeutic Recreation, Human Services, Education, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered. Required
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or similar populations.
• Experience facilitating drumming, percussion, music, movement, or community arts programs.
• Experience leading group activities, performances, or community engagement events preferred.
• Experience in OPWDD Day Habilitation, HCBS, or other community-based programs preferred.
• Knowledge of adaptive, inclusive, sensory-informed, or trauma-informed engagement practices.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals with diverse communication, behavioral, and physical support needs.
• Multilingual skills are a plus.

Benefits

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You canexpect:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to [e-mail].

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage . HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.