Music Specialist - School Age Program

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)•Town of Smithtown, NY

3d•$44,500 - $82,500•Onsite

About The Position

Brightway Living & Learning is hiring a Music Specialist for its School Age Program. The role involves teaching music to individuals with developmental disabilities in ungraded, self-contained classrooms. The school programs operate on a 12-month calendar, and the specialist may travel to multiple School Age Program locations. The specialist provides both classroom instruction and individualized push-in services, collaborating with classroom staff and other therapists to support students’ learning and development. The position develops and implements music curricula, assessments, session plans, and IEP goals consistent with New York State requirements and learning standards. It also involves documenting instruction and student progress, communicating with parents, supporting staff through training and instructional resources, and managing music materials, equipment, recordings, and reference resources. Additional program duties may include bus duty, lunch coverage, committees, graduation activities, and displaying seasonal decorations. This is a full-time, salaried position paying $44,500–$82,500 per year, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brightway offers paid training, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, an FSA and EAP, a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement opportunities, advancement opportunities, and paid time off for school breaks.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree.
New York State teacher certification in Music.
Ability to work with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to modify the area for children's safety, including moving or pushing objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to lift or move 20 pounds.
Ability to run after a student for up to 500 feet and run to a classroom in need for up to 500 feet.
Ability to kneel, twist, and bend.
Ability to respond to fire alarms.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.
Ability to sing and play musical instruments, including keyboard and/or guitar, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct music classes in assigned and scheduled classrooms.
Travel to multiple School Age Program locations when required.
Develop and implement music curricula consistent with New York State requirements.
Develop and implement student music assessments consistent with New York State requirements.
Prepare session notes and plans, and implement music sessions according to program policies and procedures.
Collaborate with classroom staff using thematic units.
Prepare IEP goals consistent with learning standards.
Document sessions according to program procedures.
Communicate with parents about student progress through program-prescribed methods and at prescribed intervals.
Attend and successfully complete required training and in-services.
Present and teach in-services to staff when requested.
Manage music instruction materials, supplies, and equipment, ensuring they are available and properly used.
Manage recording of student musical works as needed.
Provide sample instructional music to classrooms and assist classroom staff in playing it as needed.
Create and maintain a library of musical pieces and compile appropriate websites for music instruction, calming, and thematic music.
Create musical instructional activities for special instructional purposes or specific students as needed.
Work with individual students as needed to maintain ratio and provide push-in service; do not remain assigned to a specific classroom unless directed by a supervisor.
Collaborate routinely with other therapists, including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Education, Music, and Technology, to facilitate cooperative learning and skill development.
Assist with bus duty, lunch coverage, building climate and staff morale committees, graduation, and other assigned duties.
Ensure seasonal decorations are displayed in the program or site.
Perform duties in accordance with agency and program policies and procedures.