Art Programs Assistant
Position type: Seasonal, full-time (non-exempt), June-August
Reports to: Director of Art Programs
Location: Yosemite Valley / Yosemite National Park
The Art Programs Assistant position is primarily a teaching role with Yosemite Art Center at Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
in Yosemite Valley. The assistant instructs Paint & Sip, Custom Classes, and free art activities. This position supports the Art
Programs Coordinator and Director of Art Programs with day-to-day operations of all art program offerings. This position is
supervised by the Director of Art Programs and works cooperatively with the visiting volunteer artists, NPS staff and Yosemite
Conservancy staff. This position is for 3 months, June – August.
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 Assistant reports to the Director of Art Programs and is responsible for the following:
Leads:
• Instructs Paint & Sip and Custom Art Classes, occasional facilitation of free art activities
• Introduces classes to orient participants to the site and the Conservancy
• Helps ensure classes are conducted in a safe, instructive, enriching manner
• Prepares and maintains art supply kits
• Monitors art supply inventory
• Provide accurate visitor information
Supports:
• Contributes creative ideas for new art classes and activities that incorporate relevant interpretive themes as well as
current grant funded work in Yosemite
• Registers participants for Art Center programs
• Assists volunteer artists and participants with logistical needs
• Functions as a Sales Information Assistant as staffing and volume requires.
• Works cooperatively with Yosemite Conservancy programming staff and the National Park Service to connect
visitors to appropriate educational opportunities
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Art Programs
Who You Are / Keys to Success (the must-haves)
To be successful in this job, you will excel in these areas:
Hard skills:
• Strong pedagogical knowledge of art instruction
• Highly proficient with creating and instructing watercolor
• Competent creator of art in other mediums
• Versed in most major forms of art medium and able to instruct most mediums at a novice level. Ability to learn new
mediums Demonstrated ability to implement a range of operations and logistics
• Strong office administration, computer skills, and ability to work with new software and technology
• Working knowledge of Yosemite National Park and its ecosystems
• Strong computer skills and the ability to master Retail Pro (point of sale software) and Flybook (reservation software)
• Valid Driver’s license
Soft skills:
• 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
• 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
• 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 myriad of logistical challenges that are endemic to working
in Yosemite National Park
• Commitment to continual learning and teaching, to the Conservancy mission, and to advancing a culture of inclusion
in the organization and in Yosemite
• Creative thinker and open-minded problem solver with a calm and flexible demeanor
• Ability to work independently and in a group setting
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
Working Conditions
• Primarily instructional role in both indoor and outdoor field classroom environments
• 40 hours a week schedule; may include holiday and weekend shifts
• Potential to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 30 pounds when moving supplies
• Dynamic busy visitor center environment
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. We especially encourage people
of color, LGBQ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.
The position is seasonal, full-time and based at Happy Isles Art & Nature Center in Yosemite Valley. This position does not
come with housing. Compensation for this position is $19-20/hour for a 480-hour season.
How to Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, three references and an art portfolio featuring at least 5 examples of watercolor in a single PDF to
ldelliso[email protected]. Deadline for application materials is March 15, 2024.
