Job Opening | HOURLY

Education Assistant (Art Sparks Program)

Location: Norman, OK
Category: Educator
Job Type: Hourly
Reports to the Executive Director/Curator and Art Educator

Pay: This role is budgeted for $15.00 hourly at up to 30 hours per week as needed.


Application deadline: August 29, 2025

About the Firehouse Art Center

Mission
The Norman Firehouse Art Center (Firehouse) enriches our community by offering the highest quality visual arts education, experiences, and exhibitions. 

Vision
Enhancing our community through the visual arts.

History
Since 1970, the Norman Firehouse Art Center, Inc., a non-profit organization, has served Norman and surrounding communities with visual art classes and gallery exhibitions of the highest quality. Our faculty provides instruction in painting and drawing, jewelry construction, fused and slumped glass and more, in well-equipped classrooms.

Position Description

The Education Assistant will primarily be responsible for assisting the Art Educator in program implementation including but not limited to, outreach lessons, fieldtrips, workshops, and on-site art classes to student groups of all needs and abilities. The Education Assistant will be expected to complete administrative office duties, prepare and manage materials for lessons, lead field trip groups, assist with school visits, and work directly with students, staff, and programming partners. They will be expected to maintain an effective and professional relationship with students, partner organizations, visitors to the center, and Firehouse staff members.

The primary function of this role is to support the Norman Public Schools partnership program, Art Sparks, an outreach program for fifth grade students. The Education Assistant may be required to schedule site visits, prepare art materials for lessons, attend site visits, guide students on field trips, and assist with special projects as needed.

Ideal Candidate

Education & Experience

  • Minimum: High School Diploma and one year experience in an educational, fine arts, art non-profit/education field.

  • Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in art education, fine arts, or a related field.

  • Must have at least 1 year experience working with elementary aged children.

Position Qualifications

  • Ability to multitask, effectively prioritize responsibilities, and complete projects independently and in a timely manner while maintaining a high level of professionalism, in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.

  • Ability to patiently work with children using an approach that encourages self-motivation and a growth mindset.

  • Confidence in both written and verbal communication with professional partners of the Firehouse.

  • A team-focused mentality and a passion for collaborative work environments.

  • Preferred:

    • Solo or Co-teaching experience in an educational setting

    • Nonprofit experience

    • Fluency in Spanish

Schedule

  • Typical hours will fall between Monday-Friday 8AM-3PM. Additional hours may be required in the evenings and weekends depending on the NPS school schedule and the needs of Firehouse Art Center programming. This part-time role is budgeted for an average of 15 hours per week with up to 30 hours per week as needed from September 1st, 2025 to (?, 2025).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Studio and Equipment Maintenance:

  • Has excellent communication skills and is comfortable being a main point of contact for the Art Sparks Program.

    • Able to answer program emails and phone calls

    • Can confidently schedule school visits and field trips, using basic scheduling applications.

    • Maintains clear, collaborative, communication with the Art Educator as the program grows.

  • Is an integral part of our field trip team

    • Confidently leads groups of up to 25 people at a time on tours of the gallery, public art collection, and Lions Park with enthusiasm.

    • They show a passion and knowledge of the content while being able to relate the works to the personal interests of our visitors.

  • Is a confident and kind co-teacher in the classroom and studio.

    • They can collaborate with the Art Educator on a classroom management plan and work as a team to produce engaging and effective educational experiences.

    • Help students toward established learning goals using pre-established techniques.

    • Encourages students by commenting on their efforts and not just their outcomes, encouraging a growth mindset.

  • Is able to respect students of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds

  • Efficiently manages art materials and curriculum assets, ensuring there are the correct number of supplies and assets for each lesson.

    • Keeps an inventory, purchases, and organizes supplies.

    • Prepares supplies and portions assets for lessons and outreach events.

    • Prints off curriculum assets and worksheets for each school visit

    • Ensures that stored supplies are kept clean and orderly.

Additional Job Duties:

  • The Successful candidate can expect to assist with cross-departmental projects and planning including but not limited to, family day activities, festivals, workshops, fundraisers, and partnership events.

  • Perform administrative tasks including event outreach and registration, maintain attendance sheets, maintain surveys and evaluation forms, assist with research data gathering, drafting program reporting or presentations on the program for funding presentations.

How to Apply

Contact: Andy Couch, Executive Director/Curator
Contact e-mail: andy@normanfirehouse.com

Application: Please e-mail andy@normanfirehouse.com. Include resume, cover letter and three professional references.
Application Deadline: August 29, 2025