AileyCamp Creative Communications Instructor - Cal Performances

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Cal Performances presents and produces outstanding artists from the Bay Area, the United States, and around the world in performances and community programs that promote excellence, innovation, diversity, education, and community involvement, with the fundamental belief that the arts are vital to our society locally, nationally, and internationally. Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp at Cal Performances is an education department program. Cal Performances supports AileyCamp with an array of professional performing arts services, including but not limited to marketing, public relations, facilities including Zellerbach Auditorium, and a complete professional technical staff.

AileyCamp is a nationally proven arts education program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression, and critical thinking skills among 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th-grade students (aged 11-14) from underserved communities. AileyCamp also provides exceptional dance training to middle school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The project was inspired by the work of the late Alvin Ailey, an internationally renowned dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

The Creative Communication Instructor of AileyCamp will introduce and explore components of creative expression with the AileyCampers through creative writing and storytelling, theater, and/or visual arts, depending upon the training and expertise of the Instructor. Under the supervision of the Director and Associate Director, they will work collaboratively with the Personal Development Instructor and the Guidance Counselor to develop and teach a curriculum that promotes creative expression, youth development, and personal growth skills for middle school-aged students.

• Part-time: Support AileyCamp preparatory events, such as the AileyCamp Family Orientation on May 14, 2025.
• Full-time: Five-day work week - Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June 9 - July 25, 2025 (and until 9:30 pm on 7/24 performance night) for all weeks employed.)
• Teach four classes per day, four days per week, or as determined by the Director.
• Participate and oversee campers as directed on weekly field trips.
• Participate in the general oversight of the campers, including at assigned meal times, and camper-free periods, assist with other workshop or rehearsal engagements, support Group Leaders in their oversight of individual groups of campers, provide supervision during lunch and breaks as assigned on a rotating basis, and take on projects in support of camp, production preparation, and audience engagement.
• Participate in individual and AileyCamp staff meetings, including scheduled meetings during working meals and after-camp meetings.
• Develop curriculum and plan lessons (individually and collaboratively with other instructors) that will help AileyCampers develop positive methods of creative expression, self-image, and self-esteem.
• Provide schedule and description of proposed class content to AileyCamp directors for final approvals and integration with the whole camp curriculum.
• Coordinate with Group Leaders, Group Leader Mentor, and other staff to assess campers' individual needs, and support them in interventions to meet these needs.
• Produce camper progress evaluations, material, and documentation for AileyCamp Anthology, and other materials celebrating the campers' experience.
• Prepare a camper presentation or art installation for the final performance.
• Coordinate the creation of the AileyCamp Anthology which includes a selection of campers' writings, visual artwork, and photographs.

• visual arts, music, theater, or film, preferably in a Youth Development and/or Youth Voice context.
• Must have a Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent experience, in these art forms or related fields, and be able to demonstrate reasonable proficiency in the others.
• Significant experience working with urban children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, identified as having one or more of the following at-risk factors: living with a single parent or no parent; having a sibling who dropped out of school or became a school-age parent; having difficulty with the traditional school structure as determined by teacher observation; or having low self-esteem.
• Ability and experience in developing curriculum to meet specific learning and creative goals, and to co-create curriculum with experienced teachers.
• Excellent leadership skills including an ability to command respect and motivate achievement while working effectively with young people, serving as a positive influence and model for disciplined practice, healthy personal habits, and respectful communication with campers and colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to diverse persons, and actively work as part of an ensemble with a shared mission to support campers and camp activities in whatever manner is needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines in a self-directed, prioritized, and calm manner.
• Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities as they occur.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, cheerful collaborator, able and willing to take initiative to accomplish or support others in accomplishing tasks related to the successful and smooth operation of the camp.
• Must be able to successfully pass background check.
• Must complete all UC Berkeley-mandated training for employees by the deadlines given.
• Must comply with UC Berkeley's Covid-19 policies for employees.

• Experience as a professional writer.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English.
  

This is a temporary position:

Part-Time: March 17 - June 6, 2025
Full-Time: June 9 - July 25, 2025

$22/hr for the period of March 17 - June 6, 2025
$6,160 total for the period of June 9 - July 25, 2025

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative Action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.