Part-Time Program Facilitator

ABOUT US

One Common Unity (OCU) breaks cycles of violence and builds compassionate, healthy communities through the transformative power of music, arts, and peace education. Founded in 2000 following a string of school shootings in Washington, DC, OCU is a collaborative effort between educators, artists, and health practitioners dedicated to preventing violence and improving life outcomes for youth and families. Currently based in 23 schools throughout Washington, DC, we train the next generation of youth leaders in social-emotional literacy, arts expression, and conflict transformation and support them to create positive social change and healing in their communities. Over the past 20 years, we have impacted over 32,500 youth and families, trained over 11,500 teachers, hosted over 81 public concerts and performances, and recently were awarded the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Humanities.

THE FLY BY LIGHT PROGRAM

Fly By Light is OCU’s flagship program that brings performing arts, poetry, song, dance, and visual art to at-risk youth. The goal of Fly By Light is to encourage students to find their inner voices, identify the light they bring to the world, and share their talents with their peers to build safer, more peaceful communities.

The Fly By Light Youth Ambassador Program is an innovative youth program that emphasizes leadership, compassionate communication, effective conflict resolution, and self-love as pathways to personal growth, health and wellness. Youth are engaged in activities that strengthen skills that equip them with the abilities to bring their “light” to their own communities, building peaceable environments that promote overall wellness. Music therapy and artistic expression are at the core of instruction.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE FLY BY LIGHT PROGRAM ARE TO HELP YOUTH

• Build an appreciation and love for nature

• Build an ability and desire to handle conflicts peacefully

• Gain an understanding of music and art as tools for self-expression and cultural change Hone their ability to critically engage with their environment and people of different racial, ethnic, socio-economic and cultural perspectives

• Feel an increased feeling of self-confidence, value, worth, and empowerment

• Develop a personal set of life goals

• Engage in social justice projects in their communities

• Establish positive relationships with peers, artists, educators, counselors and community members that last a lifetime

ABOUT THE POSITION

Program facilitators implement the Fly By Light youth program in District of Columbia elementary, middle & high schools. This position is available year round with varying hours during summer camps, retreats, and during the school and the school year. Multiple positions are available, both Full-Time and Part-Time. In addition to in-school programming, facilitators dedicate time in the OCU office to engage in facilitator meetings, trainings, and to complete required administrative duties.

Facilitators will use the Fly By Light curriculum as a guide in helping students learn about the arts and integrate lessons on emotional literacy and social justice. Artist-educators will have creative control over individual workshops, but must adhere to the program requirements as determined by the Program Director, Chief Program Officer, and Executive Director. This position reports to the Program Director and Program Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of experience in facilitating one or more forms of artistic expression, peace education, environmental education, restorative justice, yoga or mindfulness practices.

• 2+ years experience with teaching urban youth and leading youth programming.

• Commitment to social justice, environmentalism, and nonviolence.

• Positive, team oriented attitude, as well as a passion for youth and community development.

• Facilitating a process of creating final pieces that can be showcased to the entire school community.

• Experience in teaching social-emotional skills, mindfulness, conflict resolution skills, nonviolent communication, or other related topics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruiting and interviewing students for the program at your school site and working alongside school staff to plan classroom partnerships.

• Creating and implementing innovative workshops for students, faculty, and parents on social-emotional skills, mindfulness, conflict resolution skills, nonviolent communication, creative expression, art therapy, restorative justice and other related topics.

• School-based community organizing.

• Facilitating engaging, arts-based workshops with students.

• Organizing social justice advocacy campaigns, art showcases, field trips, guest speakers and pop-up art events with your students.

• Providing as-needed support for students and school staff outside of the workshops.

• Communicating with students’ families about Fly By Light events.

• Using sound judgement and following risk management protocol as outlined in the Fly By Light handbook to ensure program safety.

• Attending weekly staff meetings at the OCU main office and periodic facilitator professional development meetings.

• Relaying information from the OCU main office to students and their families.

• Designing and facilitating regular family engagement workshops that mirror FBL youth programming.

• Supporting school-wide restorative justice practices

• Facilitating quarterly professional development workshops for school staff in SEL related topics

• Implementing evidence-based interventions to groups in conjunction with grant requirements.

• Supporting the planning and implementation of an Intention/ Peace Room and integration of arts-based healing into the space.

• Assisting with facilitation of OCU’s Fly By Light National Training.

• Providing ongoing feedback on the FBL curriculum to strengthen the program as providing regular feedback to co-facilitators as related to program quality and growth.

• Setting program site goals and monitor progress on a quarterly basis.

• Managing all student records, registration forms, surveys and other administrative needs using the Apricot database.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $21-30/hour for the part-time, commensurate with experience. OCU pays 100% of medical/dental/vision for employees, offers FSA and 401(k) plans for full-time employees, as well as a full-service Employee Assistance Program to support staff's mental health and work-life balance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-25 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with other workers, vendors, and clients. The position works in a school or office environment with artificial light and air.

One Common Unity is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, differently-abled, LGBTQIA, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.

TO APPLY

Submit a CV or resume, bio, 3 references, and thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in this position.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.