Arts Specialist Assistant

Job Description

Work Length: 8 hours per week

Vacancy is for the 2024 - 2025 school year ONLY Position June 4, 2025

CLASS TITLE: Arts Specialist Assistant

GOAL: To assist credentialed teachers in providing a developmentally appropriate arts curriculum to students through arts in its many forms and traditions, and to encourage and assist students to express themselves through the arts.

SALARY RANGE: Range 656 on CSEA Salary Schedule

WORK YEAR: 193 days (Second Semester Only)

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Assist teacher with the following:

• Plan, develop, and execute standards based arts activities. E
• Organize and prep necessary materials for activities. E

And…

• Work collaboratively with teachers to deliver art activities within the classroom to support the integration of arts into all areas of the curriculum. E
• Attend professional development and department/grade level meetings.
• Work collaboratively with the VAPA Staff and School Site staff.
• As directed, assists teachers in general supervision of students. 
• Supports the goals of the Board approved 2023-2027 Strategic Arts Plan.

• Musical Support and Preparation: Provide consistent, high-level piano accompaniment for rehearsals and performances, ensuring all choral pieces are accurately and expressively supported.

• Facilitate Rehearsals: Work closely with the choir director to interpret and shape the music, helping the choir learn their parts more efficiently, and adjusting pacing and dynamics as needed during practice sessions.

• Performance Readiness: Prepare for and execute accompanist duties during concerts, ensuring smooth transitions and cohesive sound between choir and accompanist during live performances.

• Musical Leadership: Assist in guiding and coaching singers on difficult musical passages, helping with vocal technique, phrasing, and timing, particularly during challenging or unfamiliar pieces.

• Administrative Collaboration: Coordinate with choir directors and school administrators to plan rehearsals, performances, and any additional events, ensuring the choir is adequately supported and prepared for all musical activities.

This list highlights how integral an accompanist is to both the logistical and artistic success of a choral program, emphasizing their value in supporting students and enhancing the overall choir experience. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Training and Experience:

• Related Art experience
• Practicing artists with experience working with students preferred
• Arts degree, college level arts coursework, or professional artist work equivalency preferred
• Familiarity with the California Arts Teaching Standards

Knowledge of:

• Ability to relate to children
• Ability to collaborate and plan with classroom teachers and Arts Staff

• Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of students

Ability to:

• Perform the duties of the position with or without accommodation

Certificates and Other Requirements:

Ability to meet proficiency requirements as set forth in applicable state and federal laws and District Annual Notice (i.e. Mandated Reporting, Blood Borne Pathogen).

Environment:

School-based settings or other District-designated environments.

Physical Abilities:

Suffcient vision to monitor students during activities and to read instructional materials; hearing and speaking to exchange information and provide assistance to students and staff; frequently walking, reaching, holding with arms, bending at the waist, crouching and/or squatting to assist students; dexterity of hands and fingers to assist students and to operate specialized equipment or of?ce equipment; pushing wheelchairs; lifting and/or manipulating objects or persons, and/or use of motion up to 25 lbs. Or equivalent with or without assistance by another individual and/or with or without the assistance of devices designed to support the lifting effort.

Other Qualifications:

Must successfully pass the District’s pre-employment requirements ie: fingerprinting and TB testing.

Board Approved March 6, 2024