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The Performing Arts Youth Engagement Specialist is a part-time (0.50 FTE) direct service role within HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS), supporting youth in foster care and child welfare programs across New York City. This position provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive performing arts programming using theater, movement, voice, storytelling, and creative expression as structured tools to support youth emotional regulation, identity development, communication skills, and positive engagement. The role is designed to strengthen youth well-being and engagement in care through consistent, relationship-based expressive arts programming aligned with NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) expectations for youth development, safety, and permanency supports.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions of Position:

1. Performing Arts Programming & Facilitation

• Design and facilitate weekly performing arts workshops for youth in HSVS foster care programs.
• Deliver structured instruction in theater, improvisation, movement, voice, spoken word, and devised performance.
• Create safe, consistent, trauma-informed creative spaces that support engagement and emotional expression.
• Adapt activities to meet diverse developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs within group settings.

2. Youth Development Through Creative Expression

• Support youth in developing original or collaborative performance work, including monologues, ensemble pieces, storytelling, spoken word, and devised theater. 
• Use arts-based strategies to promote emotional regulation, self-expression, communication skills, and positive identity formation
• Provide opportunities for informal showcases or presentations of youth work when appropriate.
• Ensure all programming is youth-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive.

3. Trauma-Informed Engagement Practice

• Implement trauma-informed approaches in all interactions with youth.
• Utilize creative modalities such as movement, rhythm, voice, improvisation, and storytelling to support regulation and engagement.
• Build consistent, trusting relationships with youth in foster care settings.
• Maintain awareness of safety, triggers, and behavioral dynamics in group environments.

4. Collaboration with Child Welfare Teams

• Coordinate with case planners, residential staff, and HSVS program teams to support youth engagement goals.
• Provide informal modeling of arts-based engagement strategies for staff working directly with youth.
• Communicate attendance, participation, and engagement observations to supervisory staff as required.

5. Documentation, Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate attendance records for all sessions.
• Submit timely program documentation, including activity summaries and participation reports.
• Support grant, contract, and internal reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all agency policies, including confidentiality, consent, media release, and mandated reporting obligations.

6. Community Arts Exposure (When Applicable)

• Support youth participation in selected arts and cultural experiences (e.g., theater visits, workshops, or community arts events) as approved by HSVS leadership.
• Translate enrichment experiences into follow-up creative programming or reflective activities.
• Ensure all external activities are structured, supervised, and aligned with youth safety protocols.

Work Schedule & Conditions

• 0.50 FTE part-time role; evening hours as needed
• Programming delivered at HSVS foster care program sites across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island
• Weekend programming may be required based on youth scheduling needs
• Travel between program sites required

• Minimum Education: High school diploma or GED
• Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree from four year college or equivalen
• Experience working with youth in community-based, residential, or child welfare settings
• Demonstrated experience in performing arts instruction or facilitation (theater, movement, voice, spoken word, or related discipline)
• Experience working with youth in foster care or child welfare systems strongly preferred
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, youth development, or restorative practice approaches
• Strong group facilitation and classroom/group management skills
• Trauma-informed youth engagement practice
• Strong facilitation and creative instruction skills
• Ability to build trust and rapport with youth in care settings
• Emotional intelligence and de-escalation capability
• Cultural humility and responsiveness
• Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation skills
• Flexibility in dynamic, high-need environment

Benefits

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You canexpect:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to Leaves@heartshare.org.  

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage . HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.