OrchKids Program Assistant

The People's Music School; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program seeks a Program Assistant to support operational, logistical, and administrative aspects of daily programming at site locations. The role emphasizes strong organization and child management, serving as a key point person for site record-keeping and day-to-day operations.

Occasional evenings and weekends are required. The Program Assistant collaborates with the Program Coordinator, Lead Program Coordinator, and Program Manager to sustain site

Qualifications

• Strong child management skills.
• Ability to supervise and manage large groups of school-age students.
• Experience in event planning and management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn other software.
• Secondary School Education, GED or equivalent; Bachelors in Music, Music Education, Arts Administration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily after-school programming and attendance tracking.
• Manage children during class transitions (snack, bathrooms, lining up, hallways).
• Support teachers with behavior management and student referrals.
• Help set up/clean up equipment for daily programming and special events.
• Coordinate with site team to implement behavior management and site logistics.
• Chaperone field trips and cross-site rehearsals; supervise large groups.
• Assist with communications between parents and school staff as needed.

Skills

Child management

Large crowds

Event planning

MS Office

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

GED or equivalent

Bachelor in Music / Education (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Program Assistant plays an integral role in assisting with all aspects of the operational, logistical, and administrative implementation for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. The Program Assistant’s primary responsibilities will be site based and the position requires strong organizational skills and strong child management experience. The Program Assistant will serve as one of the point persons for maintaining record-keeping for the site and facilitating day-to-day program components. The Program Assistant will also work closely with the Program Coordinator and the Lead Program Coordinator, under the direction of the Program Manager, to sustain the healthy function of the site and all site-based procedures. This position will have occasional evening and weekend responsibilities and also works collaboratively with all OrchKids staff across sites.

Pay transparency: Program Assistants are paid $17/hour while bilingual (ideally Spanish-speaking) Program Assistants are paid $18/hour.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Run Daily Programming

• Assist in the pickup and dismissal processes during afterschool programming
• Manage children during after-school programming, especially in transitions between classes (i.e., snack, bathrooms, lining up, hallways)
• Assist teachers during class time with behavior management and student office referrals
• Assist in equipment setup and cleanup for daily programming
• Implement the food service program (snack and supper) in coordination with team members
• Facilitate the tracking and recording of OrchKids student attendance
• Work closely with Program Manager and site based team to implement consistent behavior management system
• Ability to chaperone and manage large groups of students of all ages and ensure smooth transitions in field trips, special events, and performances
• Ability to chaperone and manager large groups of students on school busing transportation for weekly cross-site rehearsals
• Implement positive behavior management techniques and strategies
• Work closely with the site based team in developing, refining, and implementing all logistics of during and after-school programming
• Provide artistic and logistical input for planning of all site based concerts, field trips, special events, and performances
• Assist with parental and school staff communication as needed

Inventory Maintenance

• Oversee the management of OrchKids clothing inventory, including re-orders and restocking
• Track and address facility needs for program
• Assist in equipment transport, loading/unloading, and setup for concerts, guest artist performances, and special events at OrchKids school sites and concert venues
• Design and create bulletin board, classroom environment decorations, and visual teaching tools as requested by teachers and site administrative team

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

• Strong child management skills
• Handle emergencies calmly and using good judgment
• Strong commitment to the philosophy of social change through music
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills in a fast-paced, multi-tasking work environment
• Ability to both take initiative, work independently with minimal supervision, as well as work collaboratively with colleagues in a team-oriented environment
• Experience managing and organizing large crowds of people (specifically school-age students)
• Experience in event planning and management
• Proficient in all Microsoft programs, and ability to learn other software programs as needed
• Secondary School Education, GED or equivalent work experience; Bachelors in Music, Music Education, Education, Arts Administration, Social Sciences preferred, but not required;
• Formal music training or enthusiasm for music education
• Ability to work nights and weekends
• Spanish-English bilingual is a plus
• Ownership of a vehicle is highly preferred
• Successful completion of a background check

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

OUR CULTURE AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we conduct our work and professional relationships: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Education/Engagement, and Diversity. We are focused on a people-first culture for our patrons and our entire BSO family.

The BSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, other non-merit factors.

The BSO is committed to improving and protecting the health of our musicians, staff, and our communities. We comply fully with the COVID-19 requirements of the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. It is required that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.