Program Assistant

The Crowden Music Center in Berkeley seeks a full-time Program Assistant to start in Summer 2022.

Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive community of students, parents, faculty and staff, and supporters, celebrating our many differences and uniting in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins. Crowden does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Background: Crowden Music Center in Berkeley is a non-profit organization where students come to receive a world-class education with music at its core. Founded in 1983 by Scottish violinist Anne Crowden, today Crowden serves an annual audience of 12,000 with a rich array of workshops, events, and concerts. Each year, more than 1,600 music students of all ages and levels of ability participate in Crowden’s private lessons, music classes, ensembles, and summer programs for the general community. Crowden’s flagship program is The Crowden School, the first of its kind in the nation: a coeducational day school for grades three through eight that provides a transformative education with chamber music at the heart. Crowden’s distinctive educational offerings also include the John Adams Young Composers Program and renowned chamber music programs for both youth and adults. In addition, Crowden is an active center for music rehearsals, performances, and recitals for students and professional musicians. It plays an important role in music education in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Position Summary: The Community Programs Assistant supports the Director of Community Programs in the day-to-day management and administration of Crowden’s community programs, including student recruitment, admissions and registration, faculty oversight, customer service, and production management for recitals and events. 

During the academic year (September - May), the Community Programs Assistant generally works from 10am-6pm Tuesday-Friday and 8am-12pm on Saturdays. During the summer, work hours are generally Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm. Some schedule flexibility is required for the oversight of occasional weekend afternoon and evening events. 

As a face of the Crowden Music Center to the public, the Community Programs Assistant must demonstrate a personal understanding of and commitment to Crowden’s unique mission and educational philosophy.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

Overarching responsibilities include:

The Community Programs Assistant supports the Director of Community Programs in all aspects of administering Crowden’s year-round program of music lessons and classes. The Community Programs Assistant interfaces with current and prospective students and families, answering inquiries and shepherding them through the audition and registration process. 

Working in partnership with the Director of Community Programs, the Community Programs Assistant supports approximately 50 part-time faculty members, including teachers of individual instruments, instrument group classes, early childhood music classes, and coaches and conductors for various ensembles.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Registrar and Program Coordinator

·      Coordinate the intake process for new students, including responses to inquiries, scheduling and auditions, and support the Director of Community Programs in the placement of students with instrumental teachers. Serve as the face of Crowden to prospective students and parents throughout all phases of the intake process.

·      Track student registration and contact information.

·      Coordinate with the Finance office to ensure accurate billing and tracking of student accounts, as well as teacher hours.

·      Maintain student files.

·      Support faculty in administration of classes, including classroom setup, cleanup, and production management for recitals as needed.

·      Provide support for the production and logistics of concerts and events, including student recital sign-up process, scheduling of rooms, creation of printed programs, stage setup and breakdown, supervision of children, faculty attendance, recordings, etc.

·      Act as on-site supervisor for events as requested.

·      In coordination with the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Finance, oversee the financial aid application and decision process.

·      Work with the Director of Community Programs to address student and parent concerns as needed.

·      Manage the scheduling of lessons and rooms.

·      Produce printed recital programs as needed.

Communciations, Recruitment and Marketing

·      Ensure that program information is communicated as needed to students, families, and fellow faculty and staff members.

·      In coordination with the Director of Communications, maintain the community programs section of the Crowden website.

Administrative

·      Maintain the community programs faculty handbook as needed.

·      Support the Director of Community Programs in the planning and facilitation of annual community programs faculty meetings.

·      Attend regular staff meetings as requested.

Qualifications

·      Demonstrated passion for and commitment to The Crowden Music Center’s mission of excellence in the education and performance of classical music.

·      Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

·      Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with parents, students and Crowden staff and faculty while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. 

·      Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills

·      General availability to work during program hours of weekday afternoon/evenings and Saturdays, with occasional deviations for special activities and events.

·      Fluency in use of standard computer programs and social media platforms.

·      Experience with a database, Salesforce preferred.

·      "Can-do" attitude; sense of humor

·      Experience in a school setting or educational environment; experience working in a small, non-profit organization a plus

·      Willingness and ability to do light lifting

·      Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience