RootED Teaching Artist 2025 - 2026 School Year
Downloadable PDF - Job Description
Living Jazz Transforms Lives through the music, spirit, and culture of Jazz in the Bay Area community, by educating students and artists of all ages and abilities. Living Jazz RootED (formerly Living Jazz Children’s Project) provides jazz-rooted performing arts education to over 1,400 students across 21 schools in the Oakland and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts.
We are seeking experienced and dynamic teaching artists whose art forms are rooted in Jazz and the creative expression of the African diaspora. Our classes include but are not limited to choral, rhythm, percussion, and dance. We are hiring part-time (hourly) teaching artists for both in-school and after-school programming. Students range from TK through 12th grade, with most classes in elementary schools. Teaching assignments are based on educator preference and experience. This position reports to the Living Jazz Education Manager.
Job Requirements
Build relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
Represent the mission of Living Jazz with professionalism and punctuality.
Prepare and teach engaging weekly lessons.
Communicate reliably with supervisor and school staff.
Complete administrative tasks promptly.
Organize performances in collaboration with school staff.
Basic computer skills including but not limited to email and google docs.
Qualifications
Previous experience working with early childhood education, elementary, and/or high school students.
B.A. or equivalent experience in music or dance education.
Experience working with students in economically disadvantaged communities.
Experience working with a diversity of racial and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to implement grade level learning strategies.
Commitment to cultural empowerment and social justice.
Knowledge of the history and art forms of the African diaspora.
Effective classroom management skills rooted in compassion and empathy.
Passion for teaching and belief in students’ potential.
Successful candidates must pass a background check.
Physical Requirements
Able to maintain attention and a high level of energy or excitement for extended periods of time.
See and respond quickly to situations.
Must have access to reliable transportation.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a non-exempt part-time position with start and end dates dependent upon school schedules.
$75 - 80 per hour for classroom teaching.
$35 per hour for professional development.
$25 per hour for lesson planning (up to 2 hours per week).
Employees of Living Jazz are eligible to participate in our 401k plan after 90 days from the start of their employment.
How to Join Living Jazz Team
We encourage all who are interested to apply regardless of whether they meet all the skill requirements listed here. We are committed to opening access to all people who wish to learn and grow in a creative environment. Living Jazz will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Living Jazz is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage. In addition to the required CA Department of Justice LiveScan background screen, Living Jazz will request an international background screen if you have lived outside of the United States in the last seven (7) years.
To apply for this position, send the following to Nick Obando, Living Jazz Education Manager, at nick@livingjazz.org:
Resume/CV
Two professional references
A teaching video sample (or arrange an in-person observation)
Due to the size of our team and physical nature of our work, we are unable to respond to phone calls.
Living Jazz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics ), incarceration history, genetic information, age, marital status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.