Job Description

Date: July 1st, 2025
Title : OrchKids Program Assistant
Department: OrchKids
Reports to: OrchKids Program Manager
Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly
Compensation: $17/hr
Location: Baltimore, MD
Times: Monday through Friday, 2:00 7:00 PM; September-May, July (some dates in June/August)

THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and ORCHKIDS

For over a century, the BSO has been recognized as one of Americas leading orchestras and one of Marylands most significant cultural institutions. As the largest cultural institution in Maryland, the BSO is internationally recognized and locally admired for its innovation, performances and recordings, and educational community initiatives including OrchKids.

OrchKids uses music as a vehicle for students to develop 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, leadership, etc.) that are transferable to all areas of their lives. Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids Founding Director, shaped OrchKids into the cornerstone of the BSOs community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction. OrchKids was founded in 2008 with 30 students at one elementary school with seed funding from Marin Alsop and Founding Donors Rheda Becker and Robert E. Meyerhoff.

OrchKids now works with seven schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school, after school, and in weeklong workshops.

In collaboration with several community partners OrchKids provides music education, instruments, academic assistance, meals, mental health resources, connection to social services, as well as performance and mentorship opportunities at no cost to students and families. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

JOBSUMMARY

The Program Assistant plays an integral role in assisting with all aspects of the operational, logistical, and administrative implementation for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestras OrchKids program. The Program Assistants primary responsibilities will be site based and the position requires strong organizational skills and strong child management experience. The Program Assistant will serve as one of the point persons for maintaining record-keeping for the site and facilitating day-to-day program components. The Program Assistant will also work closely with the Program Coordinator and the Lead Program Coordinator, under the direction of the Program Manager, to sustain the healthy function of the site and all site-based procedures. This position will have occasional evening and weekend responsibilities and also works collaboratively with all OrchKids staff across sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Run Daily Programming

• Assist in the pickup and dismissal processes during afterschool programming
• Manage children during after-school programming, especially in transitions between classes (i.e., snack, bathrooms, lining up, hallways)
• Assist teachers during class time with behavior management and student office referrals
• Assist in equipment setup and cleanup for daily programming
• Implement the food service program (snack and supper) in coordination with team members
• Facilitate the tracking and recording of OrchKids student attendance
• Work closely with Program Manager and site based team to implement consistent behavior management system
• Ability to chaperone and manage large groups of students of all ages and ensure smooth transitions in field trips, special events, and performances
• Ability to chaperone and manager large groups of students on school busing transportation for weekly cross-site rehearsals
• Implement positive behavior management techniques and strategies

Collaborative Planning

• Work closely with the site based team in developing, refining, and implementing all logistics of during and after-school programming
• Provide artistic and logistical input for planning of all site based concerts, field trips, special events, and performances
• Assist with parental and school staff communication as needed

Inventory Maintenance

• Oversee the management of OrchKids clothing inventory, including re-orders and restocking
• Track and address facility needs for program
• Assist in equipment transport, loading/unloading, and setup for concerts, guest artist performances, and special events at OrchKids school sites and concert venues
• Design and create bulletin board, classroom environment decorations, and visual teaching tools as requested by teachers and site administrative team

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

• Strong child management skills
• Handle emergencies calmly and using good judgment
• Strong commitment to the philosophy of social change through music
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills in a fast-paced, multi-tasking work environment
• Ability to both take initiative, work independently with minimal supervision, as well as work collaboratively with colleagues in a team-oriented environment
• Experience managing and organizing large crowds of people (specifically school-age students)
• Experience in event planning and management
• Proficient in all Microsoft programs, and ability to learn other software programs as needed
• Secondary School Education, GED or equivalent work experience; Bachelors in Music, Music Education, Education, Arts Administration, Social Sciences preferred, but not required;
• Formal music training or enthusiasm for music education
• Ability to work nights and weekends
• Spanish-English bilingual is a plus
• Ownership of a vehicle is highly preferred
• Successful completion of a background check

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to orchkids@bsomusic.org. No phone calls please. Relocation assistance is not provided.

OUR CULTURE AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we conduct our work and professional relationships: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Education/Engagement, and Diversity. We are focused on a people-first culture for our patrons and our entire BSO family.

The BSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, other non-merit factors.

The BSO is committed to improving and protecting the health of our musicians, staff, and our communities. We comply fully with the COVID-19 requirements of the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. It is required that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.

APPENDIX I: ORCHKIDS MISSION

OrchKids provides Baltimore youth with equitable access to community-based, high-quality music instruction and programming that teaches musical and social skills transferable to all areas of their lives.

_________________________

APPENDIX II: BSO SHARED VALUES

In October 2021, the BSO Board of Directors approved the following shared values, or BSO Creed:

C REATIVITY

• We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical expression.
• We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our mission.
• We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

R ESPECT

• We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and dignity.
• We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.
• We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and serve.

E XCELLENCE

• We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the soul.
• We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and volunteers. Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
• We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and transparency.

E NGAGEMENT / EDUCATION

• We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our mission.
• We seek to inspire and educate with powerful and meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all ages.
• We strive to nurture the talents of musicians of all ages with accessible educational initiatives and programs.
• We strive to create a culture where musicians, staff, board, and volunteers communicate, collaborate, understand, and appreciate each others work.

D IVERSITY

• We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with respect to race, gender, and personal identity are cultural and strategic imperatives.
• We seek to create a culture of excellence that ensures access and inclusion of diverse voices in all that we do.
• We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural society.

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Job Tags

Hourly pay, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Relocation package, Night shift, Afternoon shift, Monday to Friday,

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