Performing Arts Youth Engagement Specialist

Job Details

Job Location:

St. Albans Chld Cmty Res St, Queens, NY, 11412 - Queens, NY 11412

Position Type:
Part-Time Education Level: High School Diploma or Equivalent Salary Range: $34.00 - $34.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage :
Up to 75%
Job Shift: Day

The Performing Arts Youth Engagement Specialist is a part-time (0.50 FTE) direct service role within Heart Share St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS), supporting youth in foster care and child welfare programs across New York City. This position provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive performing arts programming using theater, movement, voice, storytelling, and creative expression as structured tools to support youth emotional regulation, identity development, communication skills, and positive engagement.

The role is designed to strengthen youth well-being and engagement in care through consistent, relationship-based expressive arts programming aligned with NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) expectations for youth development, safety, and permanency supports.

• 1. Performing Arts Programming & Facilitation
  Design and facilitate weekly performing arts workshops for youth in HSVS foster care programs.
  Deliver structured instruction in theater, improvisation, movement, voice, spoken word, and devised performance.
  Create safe, consistent, trauma-informed creative spaces that support engagement and emotional expression.
  Adapt activities to meet diverse developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs within group settings.
• 2. Youth Development Through Creative Expression
  Support youth in developing original or collaborative performance work, including monologues, ensemble pieces, storytelling, spoken word, and devised theater.
  Use arts-based strategies to promote emotional regulation, self-expression, communication skills, and positive identity formation
  Provide opportunities for informal showcases or presentations of youth work when appropriate.
  Ensure all programming is youth-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive.
• 3. Trauma-Informed Engagement Practice
  Implement trauma-informed approaches in all interactions with youth.
  Utilize creative modalities such as movement, rhythm, voice, improvisation, and storytelling to support regulation and engagement.
  Build consistent, trusting relationships with youth in foster care settings.
  Maintain awareness of safety, triggers, and behavioral dynamics in group environments.
• 4. Collaboration with Child Welfare Teams
  Coordinate with case planners, residential staff, and HSVS program teams to support youth engagement goals.
  Provide informal modeling of arts-based engagement strategies for staff working directly with youth.
  Communicate attendance, participation, and engagement observations to supervisory staff as required.
• 5. Documentation, Compliance & Reporting
  Maintain accurate attendance records for all sessions.
  Submit timely program documentation, including activity summaries and participation reports.
  Support grant, contract, and internal reporting requirements.
  Ensure compliance with all agency policies, including confidentiality, consent, media release, and mandated reporting obligations.
• 6. Community Arts Exposure (When Applicable)
  Support youth participation in selected arts and cultural experiences (e.g., theater visits, workshops, or community arts events) as approved by HSVS leadership.
  Translate enrichment experiences into follow-up creative programming or reflective activities.
  Ensure all external activities are structured, supervised, and aligned with youth safety protocols.

0.50 FTE part-time role; evening hours as needed
Programming delivered at HSVS foster care program sites across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten…