AileyCamp Group Leader/Teaching Assistant (4128U)

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and we provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Cal Performances presents and produces outstanding artists from the Bay Area, the United States, and around the world in performances and community programs that promote excellence, innovation, diversity, education, and community involvement, with the fundamental belief that the arts are vital to our society locally, nationally, and internationally. Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp at Cal Performances is a program of the Education Department. Cal Performances supports AileyCamp with an array of professional performing arts services, including, but not limited to, marketing, public relations, facilities, including Zellerbach Auditorium, and a full professional technical staff.

AileyCamp is a nationally proven arts education program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression, and critical thinking skills among 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students (aged 11-14) from underserved communities. AileyCamp also provides exceptional dance training to middle school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The project was inspired by the work of the late Alvin Ailey, internationally renowned dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

The Group Leaders/Teaching Assistants will supervise, support, and mentor campers as they move through their camp day, as needed, demonstrate and help campers learn dance steps, and assist them with activities in other classes. Group leaders are responsible for a group of 14 to 20 campers, rotating through a schedule of early-morning and late-afternoon bus escort responsibilities, accompanying campers to and from classes and morning meals, assisting instructors, and providing support throughout the day. Twice a week or more often, Group Leaders will also be responsible for leading their campers in a creative and/or team-building lesson.

The First Review Date for this job is: April 29, 2026

• Part-time: Support AileyCamp preparatory events, including AileyCamp interviews (April 4, 2026), Spring reunion (April 11, 2026), and the Family Orientation (May 13, 2026).
• Full-time: Five-day work week - Monday through Friday, with rotating early morning calls from between 6:45 and 8:00 a.m. and work days ending from between 3:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., all weeks except the week of staff orientation (and until 9:30 p.m. on 7/23 performance night). Days when performing bus monitoring duties require beginning earlier and finishing later than the regularly scheduled times. This is a rotating duty among group leaders.
• Accompany AileyCampers to all classes, providing general oversight of campers as well as individual attention and guidance.
• As part of a team of Group Leaders, in collaboration with the Group Leader Mentor, design and deliver creative and/or team-building activities to their group and, on occasion, the entire camp.
• Provide and support, as needed, oversight of campers, including during breakfast and lunch, free periods, weekly field trips, and special activities.
• Participate in AileyCamp staff meetings, and Group Leader-specific meetings and trainings.
• Monitor campers' behavior and act as a liaison between campers and AileyCamp staff, including instructors and the AileyCamp directors.
• Support and mentor Junior Leaders, and assist them in assisting instructors during classes and rehearsals, as determined by the class instructor. Cultivate leadership skills by modeling appropriate guidance and collaborative skills, coaching them through potential challenges, and seeking guidance for issues from the Associate Director and/or Guidance Counselor as needed.
• Report individual campers' needs to the Group Leader Mentor, the Guidance Counselor, and/or AileyCamp Directors as needed.
• Complete camper progress evaluations as needed, and aid instructors and the Group Leader Mentor in producing camper progress evaluations.
• Participate in and support, as needed, the final camp presentation, the AileyCamp visual art installation, and the AileyCamp anthology.
  

Position Controls:

The AileyCamp Group Leaders/Teaching Assistants work closely with the Group Leader Mentor and report to the AileyCamp Directors as needed. Incumbent operates with considerable independence, with the freedom to make daily decisions within the scope of University policies, program plans, and established needs of teaching and performance programs.

• Demonstrated experience working with children with at-risk factors from a diverse array of family and living situations, representing the diversity of the Bay Area.
• Ability to communicate dance concepts through demonstration and verbal explanations.
• Excellent leadership skills, including an ability to command respect and motivate achievement while working effectively with young people and serving as a positive influence and model for disciplined practice, healthy personal habits, and respectful communication with campers and colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to a diverse population and work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines in a self-directed, prioritized, and calm manner.
• Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities as they occur.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, cheerful collaborator, able and willing to take initiative to accomplish or support others in accomplishing tasks related to the successful and smooth operation of the camp.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Must complete all UC Berkeley-mandated trainings for employees by the deadlines given.
• Must comply with UC Berkeley's policies for employees.

• Experience as a camp counselor with youth aged 11-14.
• Experience teaching and performing dance and choreography with large and small ensembles.
• Experience as a mentor.
• Experience with and/or training in youth development and youth voice teaching and learning models.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. It should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of a position's salary range. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $19.66/hour.

Hourly Rate: $19.66/hr

Percent of Time: Part-time (per event): April 27 - June 5, 2026

8 hours per day for 7 weeks: June 8 - July 24, 2026

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.