Dance Assistant (part-time)

Mt. Prospect Park District; Mount Prospect (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Facility privileges

Job summary

Mt. Prospect Park District is seeking a part-time Dance Assistant to support dance classes, events, and studio safety. Must pass a criminal background check, be at least 16 years old, and able to work year-round after school, evenings, and weekends. Approx.

5–10 hours weekly, with more during recital season. Starting wage is $15 per hour. Park District employees receive facility privileges. The role involves assisting instructors, coordinating student activity, and ensuring classroom safety and

Qualifications

• Must have prior training in dance specific to the available class.
• Ability to engage groups and communicate with both adults and children.
• Strong customer service and communication skills for questions and inquiries.
• Comfortable demonstrating dance routines and assisting in class.
• Able to maintain safety and decorum in a dance setting.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on teaching assistance with the dance instructor in a class of young dancers.
• Demonstrate dance steps and choreography with proper technique.
• Organize students and maintain spacing and attention in class.
• Assist with administrative paperwork and classroom duties.
• Offer individual or small group help to dancers who struggle with steps.
• Provide safe, engaging supervision during classes and events.

Skills

Dance training

Public speaking

Customer service

Communication

Flexibility

Child engagement

Safety awareness

Job description

Description

Incorporated in 1955 and encompassing more than 454 acres, the Mt. Prospect Park District provides outstanding recreational programs, events, parks, facilities and services. With seven primary facilities and 27 neighborhood parks, the Park District is an integral part of a thriving multi-generational community. District open space includes two outdoor pools, biking and walking paths, a dog park and sizable space for outdoor athletic programming. The District covers over 11 square miles and serves a region of over a quarter million residents in Mount Prospect and surrounding communities.

The Mt. Prospect Park District is a proud recipient of the 2026 Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Exceptional Workplace Award!

We are currently searching for a part-time Dance Assistant. The Dance Assistant will assist with dance classes, other dance program events, and ensure the safety of all participants in the dance studios. Candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check. The Dance Assistant must be a minimum of 16 years old and able to work year-round after school, evenings, and weekends. This role requires approximately 5–10 hours of work per week, with additional hours anticipated during the dance recital season. The starting pay is $15 per hour. Park District employees also receive facility privileges.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide hands‑on technical teaching assistance and instruction, along with the dance instructor, in a classroom of young dancers. In the case of an emergency, may substitute teach for the instructor.
• Demonstrate dance combinations and choreography full out with appropriate technique and style as directed by the instructor.
• Organize dancers in the classroom as directed by the instructor and make sure proper spacing between students is maintained.
• Ensure dancers participate and pay attention to the instruction in the classroom.
• Be able to pull aside dancers who are struggling to master a step or combination to offer them individual or small group assistance.
• Ensure the safety of the children in the dance studios.
• Be able to entertain children and keep them occupied in a fun and constructive manner.
• Be able to intervene and alert instructors if any students are not following decorum appropriate to a dance class or treating other dancers in a respectful manner.
• Assist instructor with administrative paperwork.
• Provide customer service in response to questions, comments or complaints or refer to instructor or Artistic Director if needed.
• Participate in class make‑up classes, dress rehearsals, and recitals as requested by the instructor.
• May be required to work special events from time to time at nights and on weekends.
• Be familiar with and abide by Park District policies and procedures.

Secondary Duties

• May be scheduled to work at other park district facilities as needed.
• Perform additional functions as assigned which may be considered essential.
• All other duties as assigned by the Artistic Dance Director, Superintendent of Recreation, Director of Recreation and/or the Executive Director. However, in an emergency, perform all other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Must be a minimum of 16 years old and able to work year-round after school, evenings, and weekends.
• Must have previous training in dance, specifically the technique associated with the available class.
• Must be comfortable speaking in front of and engaging a group and speaking one‑on‑one with both adults and children in an appropriate manner.
• Must be comfortable pulling aside dancers who are struggling to master a step or combination to offer them individual or small group assistance.
• Must be able to entertain children and keep them occupied in a fun and constructive manner.
• Must be able to intervene and alert instructors if any students are not following decorum appropriate to a dance class or treating other dancers in a respectful manner.
• Must be able to handle a multitude of items at once.
• Must effectively communicate with customers and represent the Mt. Prospect School of Classical Ballet and Studio Impulse (programs of the Mt. Prospect Park District) and the Park District in the most favorable way.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with others to allow for the coordination of work, safety, and in emergency situations if needed.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential job function.
• Must be flexible and able to move in ways appropriate to assist with instructing a dance class: bending, stretching, reaching, kneeling, being able to get up and down off the floor. Must be able to stand, move around and walk for the duration of the dance class.
• Additionally, must be able to lift up to 25 pounds on occasion.

Due to the needs of the Park District, evening and weekend hours will be required. Your work schedule may vary and your work week may exceed regular work hours at times but be less than 1,000 annually.

Nothing contained herein shall preclude or limit the Park District from changing this written job description through addition, deletion or modification of essential job duties.

The Mt. Prospect Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.