ABOUT NEW CITY KIDS
New City Kids is a high energy, creative program for and with youth in Jersey City and Paterson, NJ and Grand Rapids and Detroit, MI. We are unique in trusting teens with leadership. It is a joyful place filled with laughter and hard work, and has an excellent staff of dedicated adults who love children. We employ local high school students as interns to lead an excellent and unique music- focused after school center and summer camp for children ages 6-13, which provides a platform for a whole host of development opportunities for children. As kids and teens engage New City Kids, we come alongside them and invite them to know the power of the gospel and to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
POSITION SUMMARY
Come join a diverse team committed to empowering youth to transform their cities through an innovative approach that links leadership, faith formation, learning, and the arts: employing local youth to lead after-school programming for school-age children in their own neighborhoods. The Music Director will lead the implementation to the Music School embedded in the New City Kids After School Center and provide musical training and support for all teens serving as music teachers. The Music Director will also work to create and develop the musical components of regular center programming, worship team, and major events/fundraisers and will support and provide mentoring and coaching to members of the teen staff and worship team.
SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Music School – Oversee the preparation and implementation of curriculum for all music classes, ensuring that children receive high quality music education and are inspired to continue in their instrument. Work with Center Director(s) and Teen Programming Director to create annual music program goals and provide reports to leaders on music program goals. Work closely with Center Director(s) and Teen Programming Director to determine the number of teens and the skills that are required during the teen hiring process.
Direct Music Camp – Lead a camp in August for teen music teachers to prepare them for leading their After School Center classes. The Music Director and Associate will determine how long the music camp will be.
Support Teen Music Teachers – Work with Teen Programming Director and job coaches so that teen teachers are knowledgeable in their instrument and are providing leadership in their classrooms, fostering their own leadership development and creativity.
Support Program Music Needs – Lead musicians for worship and games as needed within programming (e.g.: Community Time during After School Center, opening sessions in Summer Camp).
Direct Worship Team – Recruit, train, and lead a group of teen musicians and singers to lead worship in and outside of New City Kids. Staff church visits on Sundays both live and or virtual throughout the year, as well as leading the preparation for events.
Coordinate Music for Events – Work with development staff to provide musical excellence and contributions for New City Kids fundraisers and events. Provide creative leadership and or support over New City Kids productions and events.
Relational Support - Intentionally build relationships with teens. Serve as a one on one mentor to a group of teens.
Community Liaison - Serve as a connection point between New City Kids and the larger community, including current and new relationships in school-based programs, music organizations, local artists, churches and government/NGOs.
Teamwide Music Support - Facilitate training and collaborative sessions that focus on the quality and direction of overall music programming. Work to find professional development opportunities for music staff. Supervise a team of adult music teachers to accomplish established goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
A strong commitment and ability to communicate the goals and mission of New City Kids, including a personal and active Christian commitment, and alignment with our statement of faith and diversity, equity, and inclusion policy
Excellent musicianship with understanding of music theory. Strong ability to converse with other musicians. Excellent singer and proficient on keyboard/piano preferred, not required.
Strong music teaching ability.
Dedicated Team Member – flexible and willing to complete tasks that fall outside one’s job description, and able to make things happen without being micromanaged
Emotional maturity –self-aware, teachable, sensitive to cross-cultural issues, and able to maturely deal with youth from broken contexts
Relational – enjoys listening to and spending time with youth, able to gain the trust of teens, and is a professional and mature role model for young people.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
A decisive, independent thinker with a strong work ethic, sense of achievement, and leadership ability
Ability to lead multiple long- and short-term projects simultaneously, meeting all related deadlines
Experience (3+ years) working with children, youth, and families, with preference for experience in under-resourced communities
Bachelor’s degree required
DETAILS
Position Type: Full-time
Hours: Workweek schedule will fluctuate; generally Monday-Friday, minimum of two evenings per week. Approximately 15 weekend commitments per year.
Department: Music