Band Color Guard Caption; VVHS

Dysart Unified School District, Valley Vista High School – Surprise, AZ

As an assistant to the high school band director, the Color Guard instructor coordinates the preparations, exercises, and activities of the school marching band’s auxiliary unit, the Color Guard, in addition to planning and directing the Winter Guard program. The instructor prepares and directs the unit for independent performance and competition, as well as for performances integrated within the larger marching band.

Reports to: High School Band Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervises: No

Job Family: Academic Instruction

FTE: Supplemental

Work Calendar: Variable

Grade: Certificated Extracurricular/Supplemental Assignment Pay Schedule

• Work closely with the Marching Band Director and other staff to develop a visual program, including flag, uniform, and prop design.
• Attend all rehearsals and performances, instructing members in fundamental and advanced dance, flag, and color guard rifle and sabre techniques.
• Evaluate members’ abilities and design equipment carriage accordingly.
• Choreograph, arrange, and implement color guard routines, both as an integrated part of the marching band (field show, parade routine, stand dances) and as an independent unit (Winter Guard).
• Create the color guard rehearsal schedule with the Marching Band Director.
• Schedule and conduct extra rehearsals for the unit, in addition to the scheduled marching band rehearsals as needed.
• Ensure the highest possible level of performance from the color guard members through a proper warm‑up process, effective preparation, and attention to individual members.
• Recruit potential color guard members while retaining current members.
• Ensure that the color guard is properly equipped for rehearsals and performances.
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with the Athletic Director, Band Director, Percussion Director, band staff, band members, school administration, booster organization, and custodial staff.
• Manage all equipment necessary for rehearsals and performances, including maintenance, repair, and acquisition recommendations.
• Participate in spring semester program planning as needed.
• Recommend new property purchases within budget allocations to the Band Director.
• Participate and attend Band Camp and Winter Camp.
• Schedule separate competition events as the unit transitions its status from an attachment of the marching band to an independent competition entity (e.g., Winter Guard) during the winter season.
• Establish communication with parents of color guard students and organize their efforts in support of the unit.
• Other related duties, as assigned, to assist the Band Director in preparing students for competitions and public appearances, including parades and reviews.

• High school diploma or GED; higher education degree preferred.
• Experience in the various sub‑groups of the guard unit (flag, rifle, sabre, dance, etc.) required.
• Experience in composing and choreographing routines for the various color guard units required.
• Experience working with school‑aged students required; preferably at high school level.
• Experience in marching band auxiliary performance required.

• Valid Level I Identity‑Verified Prints (IVP) Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card (FPCC).

• Marching band auxiliary performance
• Performing with a drum corps, university marching band, or military organization
• Instruction/adjudication of a drum corps or marching organization

• Composing and choreographing routines for the various color guard units
• Working with K‑12 students
• Collaboration with multiple groups

Positions in this class typically require stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Moderate Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Standing for extended periods of time.

Working Conditions:

Work is routinely performed in an indoor classroom or gymnasium and outdoor stadium environment, including exposure to loud noise and being on your feet in extreme weather for long periods of time.

The Dysart Unified School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Dysart Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.