Creative Arts Therapist (Victory Learning Center)

Exciting News! Our Victory Learning Center Program is expanding, and new classrooms will be opening! Be a part of our growth—join our team and help us make a difference! 🎨 Turn Creativity Into Connection — Help Students Express, Heal & Thrive as a Creative Arts Therapist! Our Victory Learning Center Programs offers specialized educational services for students who are diagnosed with Autism or a Cognitive Disability paired with a mental health diagnosis. There are three separate sites conveniently located in Lackawanna, NY, with a fourth site opening! Our schools service students ages 5-21, who are residentially placed or are referred through their local school district's Committee on Special Education. To learn more about our school-based Victory Learning Center Programs, click here: https://www.victoryed.org/ Additional Information: $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS!! Schedule: Monday- Friday 730a-330p Salary: Based on certified years of experience ============================================================================================================================================================================= FULL JOB DESCRIPTION FLSA: Exempt Pay Type: Salaried Salary Grade: 5A Reports to: Related Services Supervisor Job Summary: The Victory Learning Center Creative Arts Therapist works with students aged 5 to 21, primarily diagnosed on the Autism spectrum, with mental health and/or behavioral concerns, and developmental or intellectual disabilities. The Creative Arts Therapist uses the creative process of art and/or music making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of youth with Autism, Intellectual Disability, and/or mental illness. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness and achieve insight. This position will work within the educational environment. Essential Job Duties: Work creatively with various client groups in a therapeutic setting, ensuring a safe and secure environment Assess the feelings or temperament of others; Constructively challenge the behavior and attitude of your clients; Attend meetings and case conferences to share ideas, expertise and good practice; Keep up to date with administration tasks; Maintain art therapy space and materials; Receive support and discuss ideas in individual supervision Provides creative arts therapy programming for youth who are non-verbal or limited verbal Provides developmentally appropriate recreational art experiences for youth with Autism, Intellectual Disability, and/or mental illness Follows agency procedures for purchasing supplies, expenditures, and facilities. Maintains communication between educational and residential sites and provides art opportunities, as appropriate Coordinates potential art show participation for artists. Work with a variety of individuals/teams. Involved in community projects. Documents achievements/data in electronic records (EcR, Therap) as appropriate. Education Requirements: Minimum Degree Required: Master’s Degree in Art, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Education, Mental Health or related field Experience Requirements : Minimum Experience Required: One (1) year prior experience working with individuals with special needs 1-2 years in Art and/or Music Therapy or related field preferred. License/Registration/Certifications Required: Board Certified Music Therapist, MT-BC OR Board Certified Art Therapist, ATR-BC is required NYS Creative Arts Therapist License, is preferred NY State Driver’s License, is required Training Requirements: Continuing education as per NYS Office of Profession guidelines All required agency trainings (including Applied Behavior Analysis, SCIP-R) All trainings required by programs in which you service individuals New Hire Orientation Performance Competency: Professional Physical Requirements: The frequent physical demands of the position are sitting, standing, walking, climbing, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, and eye/hand/foot coordination. The occasional physical demands of the position are lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and feeling.