Level 1 Teaching Assistant

Position: Level 1 Teaching Assistant

Site: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, Chesterfield County, VA

Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Pay: $18/hour, paid semi-monthly

Benefits: Paid time off, employee dental insurance, paid holidays, SIMPLE IRA with employer match

Employment Period: September 8, 2026-May 28, 2027

Programming Period: October 5, 2026-May 24, 2027

Schedule: Preservice professional development is September 8-11, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Regular Level 1 programming begins October 5, 2026, and generally takes place Mondays and Wednesdays. The Teaching Assistant reports at 3:30 PM and remains through the last student departure, no later than 6:30 PM. The official student program is 4:15-6:15 PM. Additional professional development, planning, staff meetings, and performances are required.

Reports To: Level 1 Director and Director of Programs and Community Engagement - Greater Richmond

Start Date: September 8, 2026

Close Date: Until filled

Application Procedure: Email a cover letter, résumé/curriculum vitae, and three professional references to [email protected].

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

About Soundscapes Daily Programs: Soundscapes' Daily Programs use music to transform lives. Through ensemble-based learning, students develop musical skills, confidence, and the social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive. Inspired by El Sistema, Soundscapes creates joyful, high-energy learning environments where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to grow.

Since 2009, Soundscapes has partnered with schools and community organizations to provide free, high-quality music education. Our multi-year continuum begins with rhythmic play and singing and grows into orchestral and jazz performance. Soundscapes launched its Chesterfield County program at Beulah Recreation Center in January 2026. For 2026-2027, student programming is projected to operate at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site, while preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center.

Position Summary: The Level 1 Teaching Assistant is a paid developmental opportunity for an emerging musician, educator, or youth leader who is ready to take on real responsibility while building professional skills. The Teaching Assistant supports the Level 1 Director during instruction and program operations, models positive musical and workplace habits, and gradually assumes small-group or whole-group teaching responsibilities as readiness develops.

This role is designed for high school students, college students, recent graduates, and early-career musicians who have built skills through school, community, church, youth orchestra, El Sistema-inspired, or other music programs. Prior Soundscapes participation is not required. Strong candidates will be community-minded, artistically engaged, patient, empathetic, curious, and receptive to feedback.

The Teaching Assistant will receive coaching and opportunities to reflect on performance. This is paid work with professional standards, not a volunteer or observation role. Candidates are not expected to enter fully formed, but must be dependable, prepared, responsive to feedback, and committed to Soundscapes students and community.

Schedule and Travel: The Teaching Assistant reports at 3:30 PM on regular Level 1 program days and remains until the last student departs, no later than 6:30 PM, subject to the official program calendar. Preservice and scheduled professional development will take place at Beulah Recreation Center. Student programming will take place at a Chesterfield Parks and Recreation-approved site. Occasional required travel to a Soundscapes Newport News site may be necessary. Mileage for required travel will be reimbursed according to Soundscapes policy.

Responsibilities:
• Arrive prepared and on time and model dependable, respectful, and professional workplace habits.
• Assist the Level 1 Director with singing, movement, music literacy, bucket band, recorder, exploratory-instrument, and ensemble activities.
• Lead warm-ups, small-group practice, transitions, or short instructional activities when assigned and prepared.
• Assume progressively greater teaching responsibility through coaching and demonstrated readiness.
• Model foundational musicianship, instrument care, rehearsal etiquette, active listening, and positive participation.
• Build supportive relationships with students and reinforce high expectations with patience, empathy, fairness, and consistency.
• Help create a safe, joyful, structured, and inclusive learning environment.
• Assist with arrival, snack, attendance, transitions, supervision, dismissal, and family events.
• Prepare, distribute, collect, and organize instruments, music, technology, and instructional materials.
• Observe student engagement and progress and share relevant information with the Level 1 Director and site leadership.
• Participate in professional development, coaching conversations, staff meetings, reflection, and feedback.
• Attend performances, field trips, family events, and special activities as required.
• Represent Soundscapes positively when interacting with students, families, colleagues, partners, and the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:
• Demonstrated musical study and participation through a school, community, church, youth ensemble, El Sistema-inspired program, or equivalent experience. A college music degree is not required.
• High school students, college students, recent graduates, and early-career applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to sing and/or perform on a principal instrument well enough to model basic musical concepts and healthy performance habits.
• Interest in music education, youth development, community service, and music as a vehicle for social change.
• Patience, empathy, clear communication, and ability to build respectful relationships with elementary-age students.
• Dependability, punctuality, preparation, and willingness to follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Curiosity and willingness to receive coaching, reflect, and apply feedback.
• Ability to work collaboratively, ask questions, and communicate concerns appropriately.
• Prior teaching, tutoring, camp, mentoring, or youth-leadership experience is helpful but not required.
• Regular access to a computer and basic familiarity with Google Drive and Docs, or willingness to learn.
• Reliable transportation or a dependable plan to arrive at required sites on time.
• Successful background check and completion of applicable youth-employment documentation required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, trips, or special events.
• Finalists will sing and/or perform on a principal instrument and lead a short instructional activity during the interview process.

Mission: To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.

Our Values:
Impact: Music education can change lives, and all children have valuable contributions to make musically and in their communities.
Community: Strong public-private partnerships and community supporters help students grow in musical quality, positive behavior, civic leadership, and academic curiosity.
Equity: All students have the right to reach their full potential.
Excellence: Soundscapes holds its staff, teachers, board, schools, students, and educational values to high standards.
Sustainability: Soundscapes is committed to sustaining free music instruction and performance opportunities for youth through sound fiscal responsibility and strong community partnerships.
Fun: Soundscapes provides students with an exciting, engaging, safe, and inspiring experience.

El Sistema: Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest El Sistema-inspired organization in the United States and the first in Virginia. Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA.

For more information about Soundscapes, please visit www.soundscapeshr.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Soundscapes is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.