Jobs

Status: Part-time, Hourly employee

Pay rate: $19/hour (starting rate) with annual COLA after 1 year of service

Schedule:

• Berkshire Pulse’s Studios are usually open for classes and studio rentals Monday to Friday, 8am – 8:30pm; Saturdays 8am – 5pm. Sundays, as needed. 
• Individual shifts are approximately 5-6 hours. Mondays – Fridays, mid-afternoon to close; Saturdays, open to close. 

Position Needs: Seeking candidates available to work 1-2 regular weekly shifts per week (evenings) beginning as soon as possible. Additional shifts may become available based on the evolving needs of the studio and other Front Desk staff’s schedules. An example shift would be from 3-9pm on a weekday.

Additional Staff Benefits: 

• Paid Sick Time: Front Desk staff members accrue paid sick leave at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours/5 business days per calendar year. Sick leave is paid at the same hourly rate as the employee’s regular pay. 
• Free Pulse classes for the employee
• Discounted tuition for employee’s immediate family
• Free/Discounted studio rentals as outlined in the Pulse Faculty Handbook

About Berkshire Pulse

Founded in 1995, Berkshire Pulse is a dynamic nonprofit center for creative arts whose mission is to build and strengthen community life through diverse and accessible programming including dance, movement, theater, music, and performance. By promoting participation in these educational and health-sustaining activities, Pulse enriches the lives of families and individuals of all ages throughout the region. Pulse offers its diverse and distinctive programming in classes and performance opportunities for beginners through advanced levels, youth and adults, in a wide range of classical, multicultural, and interdisciplinary dance forms and world music percussion. Pulse’s holistic, child-friendly approach and professional standards facilitate the experience of the joy, inspiration, and health sustaining aspects of these performing arts. For more information on Pulse’s programs, visit www.berkshirepulse.org

Position Summary

Berkshire Pulse is seeking an enthusiastic part-time support staff member to assist with daily operations and student services for a growing, vibrant dance education center in Housatonic, MA. Front Desk staff serve as the first point of contact with our community and are kind, conscientious, and helpful to visitors, teaching artists, and families. They assume the front desk responsibility for phone, email, and registration/payment systems during Pulse’s office and studio hours. They are tasked with light facilities maintenance tasks, as well as daily interaction with clients and studio artists. 

Responsibilities include:

• Opening, closing, and maintaining the Berkshire Pulse facilities
• Greeting and checking-in students and their families at the front desk
• Answering telephone/email requests in a professional and courteous manner; providing general information and forwarding requests to appropriate personnel
• Using Pulse’s registration and client database software MindBody to process payments, check-in students, and update contact information
• Supporting teaching artists and renters with tours of the space, providing instruction on technical and operational needs, and being present to answer/field questions
• Assisting with special events and performances both at Pulse and at off-site performance locations, as needed
• Ensure all constituents and members of the Pulse community are adhering to Pulse policies and Code of Conduct, and take appropriate follow-up action as needed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment

The ideal candidate will have:

• Customer service experience
• Ability to multitask and problem-solve in a busy (often noisy) environment
• Computer proficiency, especially Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, etc.)
• Strong work ethic and willingness to take initiative
• Ability to work well within a community of professional artists, youth students, and the general public
• Sensitivity and understanding about contemporary identities, language, and respect for Pulse’s diverse communities and cultures
• Strong attention to detail and ability to keep meticulous notes from each shift 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently while communicating regularly with fellow colleagues, both in-person and remotely
• Available to work afternoons, evenings, and some weekends year-round
• Physical requirements:
  • Remain in a stationary position throughout long portions of shifts
  • Work with computer screen for approximately 80% of shift
  • Perform closing duty tasks, including cleaning floors with a vacuum/mop
  • Occasionally move boxes/supplies weighing up to 40-50 pounds across the studios/office
  • Work in a busy, often noisy environment
• Additionally desirable, but not required:
  • Experience or interest in youth education, dance, and/or the performing arts
  • Experience working with databases or registration software 
  • CPR/First Aid training 
  • Basic written and oral language proficiency in Spanish 

How to Apply

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Shannon Nulf, Administrative Manager at jobs@berkshirepulse.org, with the subject line, “Front Desk Application”.

You may also email jobs@berkshirepulse.org with any questions, to request an accommodation, or for questions regarding employment accessibility. No phone calls, please.

Position: Studio Supervisor

Status: Hourly, Part-time employee

Start date: As soon as possible

Weekly Schedule (subject to change): Approximately 15 hours per week to start, dependent on studio schedule:

• Fridays (regular)
  • 2:30-8pm (5.5 hrs)
• Saturdays (regular)
  • 8:30am-5pm, with midday 30-minute lunch break
• Sundays (as needed)
  • 10am-12pm
• Total – ~15.5 hours, with opportunity for additional hours as scheduled for special events. Please note that hours are flexible to match Pulse programming needs. 

Starting Pay Rate: $22/hour; annual COLA after one year of service

Employee Benefits: Paid sick time; Free classes and access to free/discounted studio rentals

Position Summary

The role of the Studio Supervisor is to serve as the primary contact and on-site supervisor at Berkshire Pulse’s dance and creative arts studios in Housatonic. Currently, the Studio Supervisor will be scheduled on weekends (Fridays – Sundays) ensuring administrative operations and facilities management continue to run smoothly outside of regular office and studio hours during the work week. We anticipate additional weekday hours may become available as studio needs arise. 

Reporting to the Administrative Manager and Executive Director, the Studio Supervisor will be the acting supervisor onsite for weekend programming: weekly youth and community classes, regular rentals, artist residencies, and special events. The Studio Supervisor will be supported by and supervise a member of Front Desk Staff during the busiest days and times. In addition to regular studio operations and facilities oversight, the Studio Supervisor will be responsible for fielding any urgent situations which may arise, such as stepping in to support Front Desk Staff with complicated customer service situations or trouble-shooting sound equipment for renters and Teaching Artists. The Studio Supervisor will have the confidence and ability to handle situations independently, as well as the discretion to know when to contact outside help/professionals in the event of emergencies. 

As a member of the Berkshire Pulse core administrative team, the Studio Supervisor is able to work independently, is engaged, collegial, ethical, flexible, and comfortable managing operations with little direct oversight. They are a self-starter and collaborator who will work with colleagues and affiliates, managing the day-to-day systems through awareness of the organization’s daily classes, rentals, and facilities needs. They are detail-oriented, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have an enthusiastic and passionate interest in accessible dance and performing arts education. 

Responsibilities

FRONT DESK SUPERVISION

The Studio Supervisor supervises and facilitates front desk staffing and operations on the weekends, including but not limited to student check-in, check-in system organization, and front desk staff scheduling and training. They may also cover front desk shifts for other team members, as needed. Front Desk staff duties include: 

• Open/close the Pulse studios as scheduled; perform light daily facilities maintenance tasks (restock bathroom supplies, empty trash, vacuum entryway, etc.)
• Act as ambassador for Pulse in visible position at front desk, including greeting visitors and checking-in students
• Answer main phone/general email; assist in communications with faculty, staff, parents, renters, and partners
• Maintain front desk organization, including:
  • Using and maintaining MindBody client database
  • Replenishing forms
  • Sorting and cataloging dancewear
• Ensure all constituents and members of the Pulse community are adhering to Pulse’s studio policies and Code of Conduct, and take appropriate follow-up action as needed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment

FACILITIES AND ON-SITE MANAGEMENT

• Be the primary contact and onsite supervisor for special events and performances; ensure the smooth set-up, breakdown and running of special events.  
• Work with the Administrative Team to implement and support Studio Rentals, including communicating with renters to field inquiries and share studio use policies, scheduling rentals, and processing applications, agreements and payments.
• Coordinate weekend facilities maintenance and operational systems, including managing snow/weather-related maintenance, technical needs, and maintaining regular communication with the external cleaning crew for weekly upkeep of the space.
• Perform a weekly audit of supplies, facilities, and equipment; communicate with the Admin team to re-order supplies or request repairs, as needed. 

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• General assistance with maintaining the studio calendar, client accounts, paper forms, replying to inquiries, and other weekly administrative tasks
• Oversee communications such as email, phone, PO mail, in-person correspondences, and facilitate communications among staff over the weekend
• Process tuition/payments and assist with generating financial reports 

Qualifications

Required professional experience, availability, and personal characteristics:

• Regular weekend availability (Fridays – Sundays, including Holiday weekends)
• 3+ years professional work experience; 1+ year(s) of direct management experience
• Computer proficiency, including experience with Google/Microsoft Office suites
• Strong customer service, administrative, and troubleshooting skills
• Strong work ethic and willingness to take initiative
• Ability to work independently, multitask in a busy environment, problem solve, and collaborate/communicate remotely with team members
• Able to organize questions/needs in advance of shifts to perform duties as needed, and maintain excellent personal organization in regards to tasks/timelines
• Some facilities maintenance experience, either coordinating or directly performing
• CPR/First Aid Certified (Berkshire Pulse will arrange training and certification)
• Able to proactively address issues without additional onsite support, including handling time-sensitive situations calmly and effectively 
• Ability to work well within a community of professional artists, youth students, and the general public
• Be sensitive and knowledgeable about contemporary identities, language, and respect for Pulse’s communities and cultures

Physical Requirements

• Remain in a stationary position as needed for portions of shifts
• Perform fine motor skill tasks, including minor repairs and facilities maintenance
• Work with computer screen for approximately 75% of shift
• Perform closing duty tasks, including cleaning floors with a vacuum/mop
• Occasionally move boxes/supplies weighing up to 40-50 pounds across the studios/office
• Work in a busy, often noisy environment

Additionally desirable, but not required, skills and experience: 

• Previous experience with MindBody, or similar class registrations/payment processing software
• Technical production experience related to studio use (troubleshooting audio systems, electronic keyboard, setting up/breaking down small events, etc.)
• Basic written and/or oral Spanish language proficiency

How to Apply

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Shannon Nulf, Administrative Manager at jobs@berkshirepulse.org, with the subject line, “Studio Supervisor Application”.

You may also email jobs@berkshirepulse.org with any questions, to request an accommodation, or for questions regarding employment accessibility. No phone calls, please.