Jobs

Position Title: Youth Performing Arts Programs Manager

Classification: Full-time, Salaried Employee

Starting Annual Salary: $45,000 – $50,000; commensurate with education and experience

Employee Benefits: 

• Paid Time-Off: 12 federal and state holidays, 10 vacation and 6 sick/personal days per year
• Monthly health/dental insurance reimbursement
• Free/discounted tuition and use of facilities

Position Summary:  

The role of the Youth Performing Arts Program Manager (“PAP Manager”) is to coordinate and oversee the Youth Performing Arts Program, which consists of all youth classes, summer intensives, youth performances, field trips, and special events at Berkshire Pulse’s studios in Housatonic, and at partnering organizations throughout the region. They are a key member of the program team, including the Founder/Artistic Director, Community and School Program Manager, and supported by a part-time Programs Assistant. The PAP Manager also works closely with a robust and diverse team of Teaching Artists and manages communications with students and families. The PAP Manager collaborates with the program team and teaching artists on program and curriculum planning, goals, assessments, communications, and opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. The PAP Manager must possess an ability to understand Berkshire Pulse’s mission, core values, and principles, and how best to integrate this into Pulse’s Youth Performing Arts Program. 

Every year, Pulse offers afterschool, weekend, and summer programs serving approximately 200 youth students ages 18 months to 18. More information on the programs managed by the Youth Performing Arts Program Manager is available on Pulse’s website: Youth Performing Arts Program, Young Choreographers Program, and the Winter and Summer Intensives.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years professional work experience; program coordination, advocacy, or dance education work preferred.
• Experience teaching dance and working with children in a creative/performing arts capacity; knowledge of childhood development from early childhood education through high school.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience communicating with children, teens, families, and parents/guardians.
• Budgeting and grant writing/management experience, a plus.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Sheets).
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Personal and/or professional experiences advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, which demonstrate a commitment to the values of anti-racism and anti-oppression, and to making arts education and engagement accessible to all.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to/from Pulse’s studios and off-site locations.
• Highly desirable, but not required:
  • Undergraduate or graduate degree, certificate, or other accreditation in dance, theater, music, or arts education
  • Knowledge of the unique needs of special and marginalized populations
  • Basic written or oral proficiency in Spanish 
• Physical work environment: Pulse is an ADA-compliant, equal-opportunity employer. This position requires being able operate a computer, use a telephone, and move in a variety of office, studio, and classroom settings. 

Application Instructions:

Please email a cover letter, 1-2 page resume, and contact information for 3 professional references to jobs@berkshirepulse.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to those who apply by November 15, 2025. No phone calls, please.

Detailed position responsibilities:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES	REPORTS TO / WORKS WITH
Supervises flow of the PAP class schedule (Fall, Spring and Summer sessions), and oversees Programs Assistant and Front Desk communications with teaching artists, students, and families.	AD / ProgramTeam / Teaching Artists
Oversees monthly communication of PAP events and web edits from Programs Assistant to Marketing team.	ED / Programs Assistant / Marketing Coordinator
Oversees programmatic documentation and reporting of programs for grants and the Board of Directors. Work with the Programs Assistant to collect feedback, evaluations, and data.	Senior Development Manager / Programs Assistant / Admin Manager
Supervises and mentors the Programs Assistant, providing training, feedback, and support. Collaborate to integrate weekly and monthly tasks into their workflow. Hold weekly check-ins to review progress and responsibilities.	Programs Assistant
Supervises Teaching Artist Faculty, including Program Directors. Meets with Youth PAP faculty for reflection and goal-setting.	AD / Teaching Artists
Supervises Production staff for year-end performance and other events.	AD / Production staff
DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES	REPORTS TO / WORKS WITH
Manages PAP class schedule (Fall, Spring and Summer sessions), curriculum planning process (including annual faculty gathering), interdisciplinary integration with Community classes and related collaborations within the Youth Performing Arts Program.	AD / Program Team / Teaching Artists
Works with the Artistic Director to determine  enrollment, placement and registration decisions involving youth students, classes, and teaching artists.	AD
Facilitates communications with Youth PAP faculty on curriculum planning and goals. Interviews prospective faculty and observes classes.	AD / Program Team
Develops and maintains program budgets; negotiates Teaching Artist salaries.	ED
Meets with the Youth Advisory Committee seasonally. Tracks continued curriculum documentation and development process with other staff and faculty.	AD
Shares and pursues professional development opportunities for PAP teaching artists.	AD / Admin Manager
Maintains and updates Faculty Handbook as needed.	AD / Admin Manager
Attends Youth PAP events as often as possible and/or manages staff attendance at Youth PAP events when not available.	AD / Program Team
Attends meetings with partnering organizations as they relate to Youth PAP, as well as participates in professional development opportunities. Stays informed on local and regional dance community, as well as the dance world at large.	AD / Program team
Communicates individually with students and families as needed, particularly in cases of behavioral, medical, or social/emotional situations. Serves as an advisor for students considering summer intensive dance programs and college.	AD / Program Team
PRODUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES	REPORTS TO / WORKS WITH
Communicates with partnering organizations for field trips, performances, and special events.	AD / Program Team/ Admin
Manages schedule of special events and performances for Youth PAP, including field trips for educational enrichment.	AD / Program Team/ Admin
Manages to-do lists for field trips, performances, and special events. Supervises contracted employees and assistants involved in these events.	AD / Program Team/ Admin
Supports creation of printed materials, including programs, for performances.	Marketing Coordinator

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.