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Berkshire Pulse is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that provides equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law. This policy also prohibits employees from harassing any other employee for any reason including, but not limited to, race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disabled status. At Pulse, we welcome people of all abilities, identities, and backgrounds.
Community and School Programs Coordinator
Position Title: Community and School Programs Coordinator
Classification: Full-time, Salaried Employee
Pulse Job Level: 2 (Intermediate)
Reports to: Artistic Director
Supervises: Programs Assistant; Teaching Artists
Starting Annual Salary: $45,000 – $50,000; commensurate with education and experience
Employee Benefits:
● New full-time employees receive 12 paid federal and state holidays, and are eligible to earn 10
vacation and 6 sick/personal days per year per Pulse’s Paid Time Off Policy
● Monthly health/dental insurance reimbursement of $350-$650 for the employee’s single- or
family-plan, respectively
Additional Pulse Employee Benefits:
● Free classes for the employee
● Discounted tuition for employee’s immediate family
● Free/Discounted studio rentals as outlined in the Pulse Faculty Handbook
Position Description:
The Community and School Program Coordinator (“CSP Coordinator”) works with the Artistic Director to
coordinate and oversee all community classes, workshops, partnerships, special programs, and
residencies at Pulse’s studios in Housatonic, in schools throughout Berkshire County, and at partnering
organizations throughout the region. They are a key member of the program team, comprised of the
Founder/Artistic Director, Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator, and supported by a full-time
Programs Assistant. The CSP Coordinator collaborates with the program team and teaching artists on
program and curriculum planning, goals, assessments, communications, and partnership opportunities.
The CSP Coordinator understands Berkshire Pulse’s mission, core values, and principles, and how best
to integrate this into Pulse’s school and community programming both on- and off-site, working with the
Artistic Director and programs team in building relationships with dance, arts, education, and community
service organizations throughout the region.
The CSP Coordinator maintains both established and emerging programs at Berkshire Pulse, working with the AD and Community Program teaching artists to adapt offerings to meet community needs. Key community programs include the Afterschool Dance classes at the Boys & Girls Club in Pittsfield during the school year, and a year-round partnership with Extra Special Teas providing one weekly adaptive dance class at the Pulse’s studios. Major school programs include Dance for the Special Child, held twice weekly in several schools during the school year, various Pittsfield Public Schools residencies, and an annual residency with the NYC-based step dance company, Soul Steps. Additional long-standing programs include a bi-annual Intro to Dance for PE at Nessacus Middle School in Dalton, Dance for Theater at Farmington River and Lee High Schools, and FunkBox Breaking for at least one school per year in partnership with Funk Box Studio and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Pittsfield).
Every year, Pulse offers programs with up to 10 schools and at least 5 community partners. Visit the
Berkshire Pulse website for more information about Pulse’s Community Programs, School Programs, and
the Teen and Adult Community Class Program.
Schedule: The CSP Coordinator works at Pulse’s studios in Housatonic, off-site at area school and
community partner locations, and remotely/from home, as needed. The regular schedule allows for
one working day/week from home, plus onsite and offsite hours associated with program meetings,
observations, and faculty and community partner associations. Additionally, as a member of Pulse’s
core administrative staff, they will support Pulse’s on- and off-site public performances and special
events throughout the year, which generally occur on nights and weekends.
As a key member of the Berkshire Pulse program team, the Community and School Program
Coordinator is curious and engaged, collegial, ethical, and flexible, and finds interest in exploring
new systems and approaches to communication and organization. They are a self-starter and
collaborator who will build a day-to-day system of communications through awareness of the
organization’s daily classes, special programs, and community initiatives. They support and engage
in collaborative relationships, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have
an enthusiastic and passionate interest in dance and performing arts education, in the spirit of
community.
Responsibilities:
● Coordinates on-site classes and workshops for the Teen and Adult Community Class Program.
● Coordinates on-site artist residencies and performances.
● Coordinates and maintains all off-site Community and School programs and partnerships.
● Stays informed on local education system developments and policies; participates in sector-wide
conversations and professional development opportunities
● Assists with grant materials such as program proposals and descriptions.
● Facilitates conversations with on-site Community program teaching artists for program planning
and development (always in person when possible)
● Oversees the maintenance of website information regarding School and Community programs, as
well as the Berkshire Pulse school and community Google calendars
● Oversees all pertinent communications with staff related to community programs
● Drafts and maintains program budgets; negotiates faculty salaries
● Maintains programmatic documentation and reporting of programs for grants and the Board of
Directors:
● Works with the Programs Assistant to collect feedback, evaluations, and data.
● Coordinates the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires’ Afterschool Dance classes in Pittsfield.
● Functions as a community liaison, facilitating and attending meetings with partnering
organizations as needed for program development
● 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.
Qualifications:
● 2+ years of professional work experience; program coordination, advocacy, or
community outreach work preferred.
● Personal, educational, or professional experience in dance, theater, music, or arts education
● Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects
simultaneously.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
● Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Sheets).
● Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including youth
students, parents, professional artists, community leaders, school
educators/administrators, and the general public.
● 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:
○ Budgeting and grant writing/management experience
○ Knowledge of the unique needs of special and marginalized populations, including people
with physical or developmental disabilities/delays, immigrant communities, families with
housing or food insecurity, etc.
○ Basic written or oral proficiency in Spanish
● Physical Requirements: Pulse is an ADA-compliant, equal-opportunity employer. Reasonable
accommodations will be offered to meet physical requirements, as needed.
○ This position requires working on a computer to complete many tasks and projects.
Computer work may entail longer periods of time . . .
■ Looking at a computer screen
■ Remaining in a stationary seated or standing position (some adjustable height
desks are available, as needed)
■ Performing fine motor skills to type and use a keypad/mouse
■ Verbally communicating with colleagues and constituents during video meetings
○ Speaking on the phone or over video calls
○ Occasionally support studio maintenance projects alongside other staff; may involve
moving boxes/supplies weighing up to 40-50 pounds across the studios/office
○ Work in a busy, often noisy environment
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. No phone calls,
please.
Front Desk Staff Member
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 Diana Steele, Interim 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.