Seattle Music Partners - Program Coordinator

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Our Program:

SMP is a non-profit that provides an innovative combination of weekly group music instruction and one-on-one mentoring, working with elementary students who attend low-income schools in Seattle's Central District. We offer individual music lessons and ensemble experience to over 100 students, twice weekly.

At SMP, we pride ourselves in building a program with a keen focus on quality music instruction, youth development and social justice.

Our mission is to help children in low-income schools learn to play instruments and read music. To attain this goal, we recruit, train and support skilled musicians as volunteer music tutors who lead one-on-one music lessons each week, or assist teaching artists in our group lessons. We also provide instruments to participants and transportation where needed. Our students play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, bass, or percussion instruments.

Our program directly and deliberately serves students who identify as low income. The majority of our students are students of color from a wide variety of racial and ethnic groups. Our students also have a variety of family structures and circumstances, ranging from single parent homes, guardianships, and/or homelessness.

We believe that providing a child with the opportunity to build a foundation of musical skills, coupled with the strength of a mentoring relationship, helps foster confidence and an overall engagement in learning.

We also provide a unique opportunity for skilled musicians to give back and experience tremendous personal growth as volunteers. In addition to the inherent rewards of service, volunteers gain leadership skills and directly address inequity. Volunteers come from more than 20 area high schools, colleges and community ensembles.

Duties:

Since SMP has a very small staff, the Program Coordinator will have a significant impact, playing a role in most SMP activities. The Program Coordinator will collaborate closely with existing staff and directly with students, volunteers, families and school personnel.

Responsibilities will include the following:

• Daily on-site at schools, coordinating and supervising activities of students and volunteers.
• Coordinate and support volunteer recruitment, training and retention efforts.
• Help organize recitals and community programs.
• Help organize and lead parent meetings.
• Coordinate student transportation with school district.
• Manage food / snack procurement in partnership with school district.
• Chaperone field trips to performances.
• Encourage students, volunteers, and family support.
• Work with staff re: curriculum materials and participant needs and challenges.
• Assist with tracking instrument inventory.
• Organize student and volunteer records, assessments and other administrative materials.
• Help draft newsletters and other communications to families and volunteers.

Required Qualifications:

• Americorps Requirements: 18 to 25 years old. Full-time 40 hours / week.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks at one time
• Demonstrated self-starter
• Able to fulfill responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Effective presentation skills & the ability to facilitate small group discussions
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and Google Docs programs at an intermediate or advanced level
• Prepared to work some evenings and weekends

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Band or orchestral instrument experience
• Some teaching or tutoring experience (formal or informal)
• Enjoys and has experience working with children and young adults,
• Interested in music, education, youth development and/or the business of non-profits.
• Car recommended
• Some college or college degree preferred

Stipend / Benefits: This is an AmeriCorps volunteer position with a stipend and benefits provided. Salary details: $1,195 monthly stipend from AmeriCorps Benefits include health insurance, an education award of $5,775 upon satisfactory completion of service, subsidized childcare assistance (if eligible), student loan forbearance. How To Apply

SMP seeks candidates whose stories and experiences have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to social justice and equity in music education. If you hear some part of your story mirrored in the description of our programming, you are especially encouraged to apply.

Individuals interested in the position need to prepare the AmeriCorps National Service Application and submit to www.americorps.gov.

In addition, candidates should submit a detailed cover letter to info@seattlemusicpartners.org (attention: Executive Director) that describes their specific interest in working with our program and why the candidate's background makes for a compelling candidacy. Please put "Program Coordinator Inquiry" in the subject line. Please also send a current resume.