Otsfm logo
Login

Employment Opportunities

About Us

Listings are available to apply for online at our Career Center. Please read the individual job posting for more details on how to apply.

Please, no phone calls.

Human Resources Assistant Director

Human Resources Assistant Director

Job Description
Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a dedicated Human Resources Associate Director - Faculty & Labor Relations to support the HR department with a primary focus on all teaching positions. This role is responsible for facilitating faculty recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation. This position will work directly with Collective Bargaining Union members, serving as the dedicated HR representative for administrative meetings, employee relations, and labor relations

Essential Functions:

  • Serve as the primary HR contact for collective bargaining unit interactions, labor/management meetings, and grievance resolutions.
  • Ensure organization-wide compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and consult with legal counsel as needed on complex union or personnel matters.
  • Oversee full-cycle recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, and retention programs tailored specifically to teaching positions.
  • Design and manage the faculty performance evaluation process.
  • Collaborate with the Education Department to develop and facilitate target training programs, and professional development opportunities.
  • Lead fair, objective internal reviews and HR investigations to address workplace concerns, resolve conflicts, and maintain a respectful, compliant, and supportive environment for all teaching staff.
  • Drive initiatives that boost faculty engagement, health, and safety. Work closely with the HR Director to align teaching department needs with broader organizational HR strategies.
  • Work with HR Generalists to ensure faculty-specific HR data, contract tracking, and reporting are accurate and up-to-date.

    Required Qualifications:

  • 5–7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, with at least 3 years directly handling labor relations, unionized environments, or collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • Strong working knowledge of labor law (NLRA), employment regulations, grievance procedures, contract administration, and internal investigation protocols.
  • Prior experience managing HR processes specifically for faculty, adjunct instructors, creative professionals, or non-profit workforce structures.

    Preferred Qualifications:

  • HRCI (SPHR/PHR) or SHRM (SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP) certification, or specialized labor relations certifications.
  • Background in arts education, non-profit administration, performing arts, or higher education institutions.

    Other Duties:
    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Salary Range: $85,000.00 to $95,000.00 Annually


    To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

    • Site Manager (PT)

    Site Manager (PT)

    Summary:
    Old Town School of Folk Music is seeking a part-time Site Manager to oversee activities and ensure safe operations in OTS buildings. They serve as an ambassador and advocate for the School.

    Locations: Lincoln Square & Lincoln Park

    Key Duties:

  • Manage program operations for the assigned shift.
  • Ensure compliance with all OTS safety and operational protocols.
  • Address concerns directly as they arise.
  • Report issues to Operations and Education team managers
  • Serve as a resource for teachers
  • Ensure set up and break down of assigned location(s) as needed in accordance with OTS protocols, including signage as needed
  • Manage the check-in process and direct participants to their locations
  • Track attendance and monitor the number of participants and caregivers where appropriate
  • Coordinate with operations management, program management, customer service, and maintenance staff as needed
  • Oversee volunteer staff where appropriate
  • Ensure rooms have all the necessary equipment and teaching implements
  • Secure property and open/close building as needed
  • Ensure building and rooms are in good order at the end of the shift and that equipment is returned to its appropriate place. Set alarm as needed.
  • Assist with administrative tasks as assigned, such as room reservations, data entry, etc.

    Qualifications:

  • Experience managing events
  • Experience with customer service and setting boundaries with participants
  • Experience working with children preferred
  • Familiarity with Google Suite
  • An understanding of COVID-19 safety protocols
  • Strong detail orientation and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to think on one's feet and adapt to changing situations
  • Ability to carry out emergency protocol in event of fire, inclement weather or other crises
  • Access to a personal smartphone during shift
  • Available to work evenings and weekends

    Physical requirements:
    The position requires the ability to see, hear, sit, stand, walk, reach, push and pull. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds regularly and 30 pounds occasionally.

    Other Duties:
    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Compensation: $19.20/hourly
    Discounts at the School and some voluntary benefits are available for part-time employees.

    To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

    • Customer Service Associate (PT)

    Customer Service Associate (PT)

    Summary: Old Town School of Folk Music is seeking friendly and detail-oriented part-time Customer Service Associates for our Lincoln Square and Armitage locations. In this role, you will be the first point of contact for students, guests, and visitors, providing exceptional customer service and assisting with various administrative tasks.

    Schedule: Wednesday afternoon/evening & Saturdays and Sundays; two/three shifts per week, hours may vary

    Required Qualifications:

  • 3 years of customer service experience
  • Fluent in Spanish (verbal and written)
  • Proficient computer skills
  • Strong problem-solving and judgment skills
  • Ability to work independently and accurately handle transactions (cash handling, registrations, etc.)
  • Excellent communication skills with diplomacy and tact

    Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ability to play at least one instrument at an intermediate level
  • Interest in art, dance, theatre, and education is a plus

    Compensation: $17.60

    Discounts at the school and some voluntary benefits are available for part-time employees.

    To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.


    • Music Moves Youth Instructor (PT) - Youth Teaching Assistant

    Music Moves Youth Instructor (PT) - Youth Teaching Assistant

    Job Summary: Old Town School of Folk Music is seeking part-time youth teaching assistants for its Music Moves programs. This position serves as a mentoring opportunity for young folks (ages 16-24) aspiring to further develop their music and/or dance teaching skills. The Music Moves Youth Teaching Assistant collaborates with Director of Programming, Music Moves Manager and faculty to co-deliver music and/or dance programming to elementary and high school students, and occasionally adults, primarily at community partner sites.


    Schedule: Typically 2-3 days per week; Approximately 5-6 hours/week.

    Location: Music Moves community partner sites located in south and west side neighborhoods.

    Essential Functions:

  • Co-designs and co-implements a sequenced and developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet the goals and desired outcomes of the program in coordination with the Music Moves Manager.
  • Builds relationships with students and community partner staff and administrators.
  • Works with the Music Moves Manager to communicate the vision and impact of the program for funding purposes.
  • Maintains a collaborative relationship with Music Moves community partner organizations.
  • Documents weekly attendance and other metrics to demonstrate program impact.
  • Supports various instructional needs, including classroom preparation, leading warmup, and providing hospitality as requested.
  • Prepares students for end-of-session performance, if needed.

    Qualifications

  • Background in West African and/or African diasporic cultural traditions
  • 2 years of performance experience preferred
  • Successful candidates must be motivated, collaborative, and committed to youth and intergenerational exchanges
  • At least one year of experience teaching in a large classroom setting preferred
  • Can easily work in history and social context into instrument or dance instruction
  • Experience with administrative/organizational tasks including scheduling, tracking activities and reporting is helpful as well as familiarity with Google Suite.

    Other Duties:
    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Compensation: $30/hourly

    To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

    • Mariachi Teaching Artist (PT)

    Mariachi Teaching Artist (PT)

    Job Summary:

    The Mariachi Teaching Artist develops and delivers Mariachi programming to 3rd-12th graders at CPS schools.

    Schedule: Variable, based on school needs and residency schedules.

    Location: CPS Schools

    Essential Functions:

  • Designs and implements a sequenced and developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet the goals and desired outcomes of the program in coordination with the School Partnerships Manager.
  • Builds relationships with students, classroom teachers, and school administration.
  • Works with the School Partnerships Program Manager to communicate the vision and impact of the program for funding purposes.
  • Maintains a collaborative relationship with CPS school and curriculum coordinators.
  • Prepares students for end-of-session performance.

    Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Successful candidates must be motivated, collaborative, responsive and committed to youth.
  • Background in playing and teaching Mariachi Band, including but not limited to violin, vihuela, guitarron, etc.
  • Must have at least one year of experience teaching Mariachi in a large classroom setting.
  • Able to easily work history and social context into instrument instruction.
  • Working knowledge of Spanish/English required. Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred.
  • Experience with administrative/organizational tasks including scheduling, tracking activities and reporting is helpful.
  • Proficient in Google Suite.

    Other Duties:
    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Compensation: $60.00/hourly

    To be considered for this role, please send a cover letter and resume through our Career Center.

    • Equal Employment Opportunity

    Old Town School is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. Old Town School strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community focused organization.

    4544 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625  •  (773) 728-6000 •  customerservice@oldtownschool.org
    Customer Service Phone Hours:
    9:00 AM – 8:30 PM Central (Monday – Thursday)
    9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central (Friday – Sunday)