Title:  Art Instructor – Community Integration
Reports to:  Program Supervisor
Department:  Art Center Program
Location:  ECF Art Center Westside: 420 E Hyde Park Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90302
Program Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.  Some evening and evening work may be required

Position Summary

Under supervision, the Art Instructor-Community Integration will be responsible for teaching art to adults with varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and intellectual disabilities. This position involves conducting art classes within the program and leading community outings to art museums, parks, and other cultural sites across Los Angeles County. The instructor will drive the Art Center van for these outings, ensuring that art instruction extends beyond the classroom. The teaching will cover various artistic media, including painting, drawing, and mixed media, with the instructor specializing in at least one area of art. Additionally, the instructor will implement special education strategies and behavior treatment plans tailored to each participant’s needs.

Creating the monthly calendar for the Art Center supported by the Program Supervisor. Work with Program participants to integrate them into the surrounding communities while enhancing their quality of life. Play an integral part in participant community integration including integrating participants with a 1:3 ratio in person centered community activities – exploring community resources based on participant choice. 

Use ECF vehicles to transport participants to community activities and events. Maintain outing logs and report issues immediately.

Implement artistic, educational, and behavioral support plans for assigned consumers, referring to consumers IPP (Individual Program Plan). Ensure consumers’ well-being during operating hours of the Art Center, while on the premises, and out in the community.  Implement artistic support for ECF artists through online and remote learning platforms, and as directed by Program Supervisor. Maintain case notes and participate in meetings and other in-services as assigned.  Ensure consumers’ attendance books are accurate and complete.  Provide supervision during consumers’ arrival, departure, and lunchtime.

Give instruction in the proper use of materials, care, and protection of art work, production of saleable art, and help consumers to become proficient in at least one art media. Ensure the safe use of equipment, including basic safety measures to be used when working with various tools, machines, and materials, safe lifting procedures, etc.  Create any protocols needed for increased safety.  Monitor artist throughout their entire art project. Assist and instruct consumers on projects related to their IPP.

Set up/prepare equipment to be used on a daily basis and maintain equipment; ensure supplies are ordered and maintained.  Ensure all art equipment is being properly used and maintained by consumers and assigned studio area is maintained and clean. Participate in staff meetings to identify and implement artistic, educational, psychological and social objectives for each client. 

Follow appropriate protocol and policies in assisting consumers during any incidents or seizures. Employ NCI procedures as needed to assist consumers who are exhibiting aggressive behavior.  Adhere to ECF’s Illness and Injury Prevention Safety Program and follow ECF guidelines for reporting medical emergencies, suspected abuse or neglect and unusual incidents to counseling or supervisory staff.  Implement First Aid/CPR as necessary.  Assist consumers with personal hygiene needs and incidents of incontinence.

Be available to help promote the Art Centers during work hours. This includes but is not limited to informing the public of the Art Center mission and services when the public is touring Art Center facilities, asking questions during events, or inquiring about how they can support the program. Support Art Center events and programs through distribution of materials and information to all interested parties. 

Staff and supervise special exhibits and Art Center work at various locations and times.  Assist in organizing art shows and events which may include matting, framing, and installation and tear down of shows.  Greet the public and assist consumers with presenting and discussing their work with the public.

·         Comply with ECF’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program.  Ensure safe use and operation of tools and/or equipment.

·         Comply with ECF policies and procedures, including mandated reporting requirements.

·         Regular, reliable in-person attendance.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Licenses/Certifications: Bachelor’s degree and one demonstrable art skill

Experience: Six months in any combination of the following: studio work, teaching (including undergrad TA positions), work on public and private art projects, art installations, work in art museums, or any other directly related experience.   

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills:

• Knowledge in one art specialty area 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to teach adult artists
• Ability to use ECF vehicle to transport consumers for community outings
• Availability to teach all consumers in the Art Center Program. 

• Portfolio of completed work
• Available for weekend and evening work for art shows
• Provide evidence of a negative TB test
• Obtain and maintain NCI, First Aid and CPR certification
• Driving is an essential function of this position.  Proof of valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, evidence of state-mandated car insurance, and insurable driving record are required.  While driving for work, should a need arise, the employee’s insurance is deemed primary and ECF’s coverage is secondary.
• Driving Disclaimer- Employees driving for company business must maintain a clean record and operate vehicles safely and responsibly. Company vehicles will be monitored and activity recorded. Violations of the driving policy may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of driving privileges, reassignment, or termination.

This is a program for adults who have varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Employee may encounter consumers who are in crisis, exhibiting emotional/psychological distress or behaving in an aggressive manner.  Exposure to odors from acrylic paints, oil base paints, and cleaning and mixing solutions; fine debris from ceramics; mild noise from the kiln and from instructors and artists interacting in an open space. Environment may include frequent interruptions, loud noise, odors, varying indoor temperature, and drafts.  Exposure to changes in temperature and weather conditions when travelling to art exhibits, other ECF sites, etc.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the jo

• Mobility to circulate among consumers for approximately 80% of work shift
• Frequent use of vision to teach art and demonstrate techniques
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone
• Regularly push, pull, and lift up to 60 lbs. with assistance
• Ability to push consumers in wheelchairs and assist non-ambulatory consumer with transferring to and from wheelchairs
• Occasionally required to travel to various sites within Los Angeles County
• Ability to implement NCI, First Aid, and CPR

Equal Opportunity Employer
Exceptional Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are on a mission to support independence, belonging and community. We strive to build a culture that is safe, respectful, fair, and supportive for all employees. We are proud to employ people of all backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our vision forward.
Employment with Exceptional Children’s Foundation, aka ECF is at-will employment which means that ECF or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. ECF holds the right to modify the terms of employment, including but not limited to, job descriptions, duties, schedules, compensation, work locations, procedures, guidelines, practices or employee benefit programs with or without advance notice. I acknowledge and understand that the at-will nature of my employment relationship with ECF can only be changed by an express written agreement signed by the President/CEO of ECF and me.