Art Programs Coordinator

The Art Programs Coordinator is primarily a teaching and visitor services role with Yosemite Art Center at Happy Isles Art and Nature Center (HIANC) in Yosemite Valley. The coordinator develops curriculum for and leads paint & sip, custom art classes, community art programs, pop-up programs, and virtual art workshops. This position supports the Director of Art Programs with day-to-day operations of the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center, including art programs offerings, orienting visitors to the HIANC space and providing park information to visitors. This role is responsible for maintaining supplies for art programs and interactive art activities, initiating supply orders as needed. This position is supervised by the Director of Art Programs and works cooperatively with the visiting volunteer artists, NPS staff and Yosemite Conservancy staff including Volunteer Programs, Outdoor Adventures, and Marketing.

Who We Are
We are passionate about Yosemite — and about helping all people connect with, learn about, and take care of the park. As a member of the Conservancy team, you will be making a difference for Yosemite every day. We work together to provide enriching visitor programs and services, and to support projects that protect wildlife, restore trails and habitat, advance scientific research, inspire visitors, and much more.

What You will Do
The Art Programs Coordinator reports to the Director of Art Programs and is responsible for the following:

Leads:

• Teaches Paint & Sip, Custom Art Classes, Community Art Programs, Pop-up Programs, and Virtual Art Workshops.
• Develops new art programs and interactive art activities that incorporate relevant interpretive themes as well as current grant funded work in Yosemite.
• Maintains adequate levels of art supplies for all art program offerings and places supply orders as needed.
• Actively monitor and resupply interactive art stations and activities throughout HIANC.
• Serve as day manager at least 2 days per week, as a single point-of-contact for visitor and operational issues as they arise and addressing other concerns as needed.
• Staffs front desk, interacting with visitors in an informational/educational capacity as staffing and volume requires.
• Proactively welcome visitors, introducing them to programs and activities at HIANC.
• Provide a customer service-oriented approach when interacting with the public that is consistent, professional, friendly, helpful, and informative.
• Works cooperatively with other park employees, including but not limited to, Yosemite Conservancy, National Park Service, Yosemite Hospitality, and Nature Bridge.

Supports:

• Introduces classes and retreats to familiarize participants with the Conservancy, Leave No Trace ethics, safety, and program logistics.
• Register participants for Art Center programs and ensure classes are conducted in a safe, instructive, enriching manner.
• Monitor shared email inbox and phoneline; responds to participant inquiries and needs.
• Participate in the development of staffing schedules and evaluate the distribution of workloads to ensure adequate coverage.
• Help train volunteers in the day-to-day procedures and operations of HIANC.
• Provide guidance and support for volunteers stationed at HIANC.
• Collaborates with Volunteer Art Instructors and supports children’s art instruction.
• Explores new ventures for the Art Center in cooperation with Director of Art Programs.
• Helps clean and maintain the upkeep of HIANC, communicating elevated maintenance needs as necessary.
• Implements proper hantavirus cleaning protocols to help foster a safe workplace.
• Assists with other duties as assigned.

Who You Are / Keys to Success (the must-haves)
To be successful in this job, you will excel in these areas:

Hard skills:

• Demonstrated ability to implement a range of operations and logistics.
• Strong office administration, computer skills, and ability to work with new software and technology.
• Strong pedagogical knowledge of art instruction, ability to instruct most mediums at a novice level.
• Highly proficient with creating and instructing watercolor; ability to learn new mediums.
• Strong working knowledge of Yosemite National Park and its ecosystems.
• Strong computer skills and high comfort with technology especially in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite programs, and the ability to master Flybook (reservation platform).
• Ability to record and edit video content for virtual art program offerings.

Soft skills:

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the Yosemite Conservancy and to advancing a culture of inclusion in the organization and in Yosemite.
• Excellent communication and relationship skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Work in an organized manner and have good multitasking and analytical skills, demonstrate attention to detail, including a penchant for adeptly managing competing demands.
• Confidence with independent problem solving in emergent circumstances.
• Ability to defuse difficult situations with a calm, empathetic demeanor while also creating an environment where dissatisfied visitors or employees feel heard and supported.
• Able to prioritize and act quickly and thoughtfully on the myriads of logistical challenges that are endemic to working in Yosemite National Park.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, high-volume visitor center environment.
• Highly independent, self-starter who displays initiative in taking on new projects.
• Creative thinker and open-minded problem solver with a calm and flexible demeanor.
• A genuine love of art, art creation, and the desire to share this joy with others.
• Collaborative, creative, and flexible with a sense of humor.
• The following are plusses, but not requirements:
• H.S. diploma required/college degree preferred.
• At least one year of leadership and instruction of art classes.
• At least one year of customer service and/or program experience, interacting with the public including children and youth.

Working Conditions

• Dynamic busy visitor center environment.
• Primarily instructional role in both indoor and outdoor field classroom environments.
• Meeting and collaborating with a variety of NPS and Yosemite Conservancy employees.
• Lift, carry, and positions objects weighing up to 30 pounds when moving supplies.

What Else You Should Know

We value diversity among our staff just as we value it among park visitors. As such, Yosemite Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our team.

The position is full-time and based in Yosemite Valley, in Yosemite National Park. This is an in-person job located at Happy Isles Art and Nature Center. Housing in El Portal is available.

This is a non-exempt position 9 months of the year with a 3-month furlough. Compensation is $21-$22/hour, depending on experience.

We also offer excellent benefits, including:

• 11 annual holidays and 2 floating personal days
• 100% paid premiums for employee health insurance
• vision and dental insurance
• basic life insurance
• vacation and sick leave
• retirement program and contribution (following one year of employment)
• annual National Parks pass
• and more

How to Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, three references and a brief art portfolio in a single PDF. Deadline for application materials is December 22, 2024.