Dance Coordinator

Itasca Park District•Itasca, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dance Coordinator is the lead instructor for the Itasca Park District’s dance lesson programs and is the head coach for the Inner Prestige Dance Team. The Dance Coordinator is the person in charge of the coaching and instructional staff and is the main oversight for the development, implementation, teaching skills and dance techniques provided to individuals and groups registered in the Park District’s youth, teen, and adult dance classes. This person is also the main oversight for all the dance programs, practices, competitions, and activities related to the Inner Prestige Dance team. The Dance Coordinator reports to the Recreation Supervisor – Cheer, Gymnastics & Dance.

Requirements

A minimum age of 21 is required for this position.
Dance experience and a background in working with children.
Strong knowledge of dance programming, choreography, and dance instruction is required.
Good knowledge of ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling and or/modern dance techniques.
Strong interpersonal, oral, written, and telephone communication skills.
Team-centric focus with the ability to foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
Experience planning, organizing, supervising part-time and/or seasonal employees in a coaching and instructional environment is required.
A minimum of 5 years work experience in recreation, dance, or other closely related programming position.
Good knowledge of dance programming and instruction.
Good knowledge of ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, and/or modern dance techniques.
Good knowledge of budgeting, scheduling and time management skills related to instructional and competitive programming.
Must be First Aid, CPR, and AED certified or training is provided by the park district.
Ability to work under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor – Cheer, Gymnastics & Dance to carry out directives.
Ability to communicate with, instruct, and supervise school-aged children, teens, and adult participants.
Ability to read and communicate orally and in writing in English, present ideas and make recommendations in a clear, concise manner.
Capacity to plan, organize, prioritize, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Capacity to provide a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
Ability to supervisor and lead subordinate employees.
Ability to operate the dance program in an organized, safe, and efficient manner.
Ability to demonstrate tact and strong interpersonal skills in maintaining positive, effective, and working relationships with all employees throughout the Park District.
Ability to foster and work in a team atmosphere promoting positive and collaborative relationships.
Ability to resolve conflicts with the Recreation Supervisor, peers, subordinates, and coworkers in a productive, professional manner.
Ability to work in the vicinity of the public and park patrons in public areas.
Capacity to be self-motivated and complete assigned work by using effective time management and organizational skills.
Ability to trouble shoot, problem solve and make sound judgments in keeping with the mission of the Park District.
Capacity to maintain self-control and composure in high stress and difficult situations.
Ability to maintain confidential information and records.
The individual should be able to work long stretches of time.
Must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform ongoing light to moderate work.
The Dance Coordinator will regularly stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, finger grasp, feel, sit and perform other repetitive motions, as required.
Ability to lift light to medium weights of up to 25 pounds occasionally without assistance and heavier weights with assistance and/or the use of equipment.
The ability to lift, turn and carry 25 pounds safely, placing the load on a chest-high shelf fulfills this lifting requirement.
Vision is required to observe class participants, supervise, and observe staff, and communicate direction to adjust their ability to perform proper technique and skills.
Hearing and speech are required to hear and converse with participants and their parents as well as observe and manage the coaching and instructional staff.

Nice To Haves

An associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts or Dance is preferred.

Responsibilities

Communicates with the Recreation Supervisor – Cheer, Gymnastics & Dance on issues and activities related to the Dance Program.
Reviews and maintains the policies and procedures outlined in the Itasca Park District Procedures Manual with respect to the safe and effective operations of the Recreation & Facilities Department.
Establishes good working relationships with patrons, the community, and the public.
Attends scheduled staff meetings, as needed.
Perform any additional job duties, which may be considered essential, as assigned by the Recreation Supervisor.
Prepares lesson plans, movement activities, practice timelines and skill development criteria for participants and instructors/coaches to utilize and follow to meet the program and class objectives with input from the Recreation Supervisor.
Welcomes participants, take attendance at each class, interacts with parents and participants, maintains accurate class lists, and distributes relevant program information to all involved.
Sets up and prepares rooms for classes/practices, and when the program is over cleans up and puts away all materials and equipment at the end of each class.
Coaches and demonstrate appropriate techniques, skills and routines during classes and team activities.
Select and prepare the required music, materials, and equipment for each class and appropriate music, costumes, and dances for competitions and recitals.
Selects competitions to attend during the competition season (January through July).
Serves as the representative of Itasca Park District at all dance competitions.
Choreographs all dance competition pieces including selecting dance costumes, within the established budget.
Teaches creatively to develop enthusiasm within students for dance and maintains a high level of dance instruction to continually challenge all participants abilities and skills.
Evaluates student skills and suggests appropriate placement for students.
Provides written assessment for advancement to higher levels of dance.
Assists the Recreation Supervisor in developing dance class information for brochures and seasonal program guides.
Contacts the Recreation Supervisor to request any needed supplies for the program.
Communicates with parents regularly regarding their children and provide information on the program or class. This information can include behavior management concerns and participant skill development and progression.
Coordinate private lesson reservations with parents, the Recreation Supervisor and front desk staff.
Develops, promotes, and utilizes safe work habits while contributing in every possible manner to the safety of themselves, coworkers, participants, and the public.
Assists with dance competitions and dance recital preparations, as needed.
Serve as a substitute Dance Instructor in the absence of another instructor.
Reports all complaints, compliments, problems, and concerns to the Recreation Supervisor.
Reports all incidents, accidents, and injuries promptly, completes all needed paperwork and cooperates with any investigations.