Arts Program Facilitator

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards the smallest jail system possible without compromising public safety. The DOC is solely responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, visitors, volunteers, and people in custody inside our jails. Safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with over 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledge experts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct arts-based groups for men and women in the Department’s care and custody, on housing units, in city jail facilities.
• Develop and implement impactful arts programs (including but not limited to creative/fine arts, dance/movement, theater, music, and writing) and engagement strategies for facilitating groups with people in DOC custody.
• Support the DOC’s capacity to provide arts programming by determining arts needs of specific groups (i.e., by age, special interest, etc.), creating program curricula, and encouraging people in custody to engage in organized arts activities which contribute to increased health and wellness while decreasing stress.
• Evaluate curricula and community-based art programming for individuals in the custody of the Department quarterly and as requested; present successes or suggest changes to existing programs as needed.
• Assist leadership in identifying and connecting with additional community partners.
• Assist with the development of strategies as well as short- and long-term goals related to the expansion of arts programming.
• Conduct periodic inspections of materials, equipment, and facilities.
• Complete and input daily data collection of Fine and Performing Arts programming.
• Participate in supervision (individual and team) as scheduled.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to the above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in the first option.

Preferred Skills

• Professional experience in the creative arts field; licensed or permit-holding Creative Arts Therapists encouraged to apply.
• Experience with developing programs for individuals within the correctional setting.
• Proficient knowledge of best practices related to juvenile justice and at-risk populations.
• Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, analytical, research, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) proficiency.

Benefits

• As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Pay

$62,868.00 – $72,298.00

Schedule

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.