Fine Arts & Character Education Director
About The Position
The Fine Arts & Character Education Director provides strategic leadership for the development, expansion, and sustainability of Frost Valley YMCA’s Arts & Character Initiative. This role is focused on building internal and external partnerships that strengthen arts, nature-based, and character education programming while ensuring these experiences are deeply integrated across camp, community, and year-round programs. The Director collaborates closely with all program departments, as well as artists, educators, schools, and community partners, to design and deliver high-quality arts and character-based experiences grounded in the core values of compassion, perseverance, and responsibility. Serving as both a lead facilitator and a trainer-of-trainers, the Director trains, coaches, and supports staff to independently lead impactful programming, while maintaining a select hands-on teaching presence to model best practices, instructional quality, and experiential learning techniques. Through partnership development, staff training, and program design, the Fine Arts & Character Education Director builds the systems, relationships, and capacity needed to sustain and grow meaningful arts and character education throughout Frost Valley YMCA.
Requirements
- Must be 25 years of age or older
- Experience leading classes or group instruction with youth in camp, education, arts, or community-based settings
- Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and mentor staff
- Background or experience in multiple fine arts, creative programming, nature-based learning, or experiential education
- Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills
Nice To Haves
- Experience with curriculum development or staff training
- Familiarity with character education or youth development frameworks
- Camp or YMCA experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office / Google platform
Responsibilities
- Develop and sustain external partnerships with regional arts, cultural, and education organizations (such as Bethel Woods, CAS, and similar groups) to co-create programs, host events, and expand access to high-quality arts and character experiences for campers, staff, and the broader community.
- Plan and lead arts and character classes, workshops, and experiential learning sessions for campers and participants.
- Serve as a lead facilitator for pilot programs, camp-wide arts initiatives, murals, ensemble performances, reflection circles, and camper-led workshops.
- Model high-quality facilitation, inclusive teaching practices, and effective group management during live programs.
- Support the implementation of Frost Valley YMCA’s Strategic Plan by aligning Arts & Character programming, partnerships, and staff training efforts with organizational goals and long-term priorities.
- Train seasonal and year-round staff to confidently lead arts and character activities through workshops, demonstrations, and side-by-side coaching.
- Build and support a network of adjunct staff and volunteers to enhance arts-based program quality and creativity.
- Teach staff how to facilitate fine arts projects, nature-based creative experiences, and character discussions.
- Develop and deliver staff training modules focused on lesson structure, facilitation skills, reflection practices, and character integration.
- Support peer mentoring and CIT leadership by preparing returning staff to serve as arts and character leaders.
- Develop and refine written Arts & Character curriculum that can be led by the Coordinator and implemented by other staff.
- Adapt curriculum across departments and age groups while maintaining consistency in values and learning outcomes.
- Create clear lesson plans, facilitation guides, and reflection prompts to support staff success.
- Collaborate with program leaders to schedule, support, and scale arts and character programming across Frost Valley.
- Collect and analyze feedback from campers, families, and staff using observation tools, reflection journals, and surveys.
- Contribute to end-of-season reviews, program summaries, and impact documentation.
- Lead or co-lead family showcases, exhibitions, and celebrations of camper work.
- Support communication efforts by documenting programs and highlighting staff- and camper-led successes.
- Participate in community-facing workshops and events as appropriate.
- Embrace Frost Valley YMCA’s character values and mission.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
