Now HIRING: Teen Arts Center Coordinator

If you are interested in this position please email an updated resume and a letter of interest detailing why you would like to work for Palenke Arts and how your qualifications match the job description to Juan L. Sánchez, Executive Director at juanlsanchez @ hotmail.com.

Teen Arts Center Coordinator - Position Summary

Palenke Arts is seeking a Teen Arts Center Coordinator: a team player who is enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of Seaside’s youth. The ideal Teen Arts Center Coordinator is energetic, fun-loving, passionate, active, has a positive attitude, and loves working with teens. The TAC Coordinator will be responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of programs at the Palenke Arts Teen Arts Center. 

This position involves coordinating daily operations, overseeing program development, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and vibrant environment for teens to explore their artistic talents. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in arts education, program management, and youth development.

Work Location: 530 Elm Ave, Seaside, CA

Reports to: Executive Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management:

  • Design, implement, and evaluate a diverse range of arts programs and workshops tailored to teenagers.

  • Collaborate with teaching artists, and community organizations to enhance program offerings.

  • Develop and maintain a dynamic calendar of events, classes, and activities.

  • Ensure programs are inclusive, culturally relevant, and accessible to all teens.

Operational Oversight:

  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the Teen Arts Center, including scheduling, facility management, and event coordination. 

  • Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.

  • Oversee the maintenance of art and music supplies, equipment, technology and studio spaces.

  • Serve as a first point of contact for teens, staff, parents and external guests.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

  • Build and maintain relationships with local schools, community organizations, and families to promote the Teen Arts Center.

  • Organize and participate in community events to increase visibility and engagement.

  • Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract and retain teen participants.

  • Oversee the Palenke Arts Teen Leadership and Apprenticeship Program.

Administrative Duties:

  • Maintain accurate records and reports on program activities, participation, and outcomes

  •  Assist with marketing and communication efforts, including social media, newsletters, and promotional materials.

  • Maintain flexibility in adjusting to unforeseen circumstances. Fill in where necessary.

  • Understand and adhere to Palenke Arts and site guidelines and policy.

  • Report to the Executive Director anything in the work that could be deemed controversial and/or present a possible threat to Palenke Arts’  programs.

  • Other duties as assigned

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • Must have a Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.) in a related field

  • Must have 2-3 years of working experience in a similar role

  • Qualified candidates will have a passion for arts and culture and an enthusiasm for growing an organization’s commitment to excellence, equity, diversity, and access.

  • Excellent program management skills overseeing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth

  • Cultural competency to work with teens from diverse backgrounds

  • Experienced working with a diverse set of community-based organizations, residents, and stakeholders 

  • Strong communication skills within and among diverse groups

  • Ability to work in a team environment with minimal supervision

  • Ability to work independently, be flexible, and manage multiple priorities

  • Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and maintain harmonious relationships 

  • Superior written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and emotional intelligence skills are key.

  • Willingness to work occasional atypical hours with events and commitments occurring on the weekend or the evenings

  • Bilingual, bi-literate, (English/Spanish) strongly preferred. 

  • Strong creative background preferred (visual arts, digital arts, drama, music, dance)

  • Strong computer skills (Google Docs, social media platforms, Microsoft Suite)

  • Detail-oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills

  • Experience with public speaking and presentations

  • Must have reliable transportation and be able to drive a car have appropriate auto insurance coverage, and a valid California Driver’s license

Physical Effort and Work Environment 

  • Physical, mental, and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position 

  • Mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions 

  •  Manual dexterity sufficient to write, and use the telephone, computer, calculator and office machines at the required speed and accuracy 

  • Vision sufficient to read handwritten and printed materials and the display screen of various office equipment and machines 

  • Hearing sufficient to communicate in person and hold telephone conversations in normal range (approximately 60 decibels) 

  • Speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distances on the telephone and addressing groups 

  • Physical agility to sit, stand, kneel, walk, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead 

  • Physical stamina sufficient to sustain light physical labor for up to 8 hours, sit and/or walk for prolonged periods 

  • Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment (office, District, school site to site) for sustained periods on hard flooring, climb slopes, stairs, and ramps, and respond to emergencies 

  • Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 25 pounds of materials or supplies; occasionally lift 40 or more pounds with assistance 

  • Occasionally push and/or pull a variety of tools, equipment, or objects weighing 80 or more pounds, with assistance 

  • Typically indoor work environments with occasional loud music

Compensation & Schedule

$45,000 - $55,000 per year, ($27.00-$31.00/hr) Commensurate with experience.

 Paid leave, medical benefits and retirement plan through CalSavers are available after a 3-month probationary period.

Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week (includes occasional evening and weekend work). 
Candidates must be open to working a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends. Current project hours are Monday-Friday from 10:30 am-7:00 pm

Work calendar modeled after MPUSD school calendar, 184 days/year.

ABOUT PALENKE ARTS

Palenke Arts is an award-winning multicultural arts organization whose mission is to educate, inspire, and transform the community through the arts. Our organization was founded in 2016 by a committed group of artists, educators, and community members who wanted to address the lack of affordable multicultural arts programs for the youth in the city of Seaside. For the past 6+ years, we have provided high-quality multidisciplinary arts, music, and dance classes and workshops to hundreds of families who would traditionally not be able to afford them. 

In addition to our educational programs, Palenke Arts offers a yearly awe-inspiring concert series that features local and international artists, as well as community events such as our own Palenke Arts Festival presenting to over 5,000 audience members yearly. In recognition of our work, in 2019, we received the award as the Nonprofit of the Year in Arts and Culture from the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County. In 2022 our Executive Director obtained the Champion of the Arts Award from the Arts Council of Monterey County.

You can learn more about our organization by reading our End of Year Report

Updated 3/6/25