Department: Jazz Instrumental

Level or Grade: Secondary Education

Position or Type (hrs): Interim Chairperson, Full-time 32 hrs/ week

Reports to: Director of Arts

Salary /Pay range: Commensurate with experience

Start Date: August 3, 2026

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Jazz music artist whose work is able to compete and influence on a national and international level. Strong background in Instrumental Jazz music performance required. Ability to teach Jazz music technique/repertoire to talented high school students at a level that enables them to obtain placement in top colleges and conservatories of music with scholarships; a record of sustained success as music educator desired. Has excellent classroom management skills in both one-on-one and group instruction. Demonstrated experience in team leadership, and project-based curriculum building.  

This candidate has the ability to partner with students and parents of all social and economic backgrounds to successfully meet or exceed program objectives. Fully supports NOCCA’s vision of prioritizing an emphasis on the arts as well as academics with the intent of placing students in top colleges and conservatory programs within the country with multiple scholarships and grants as much as possible.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world. 

We expect faculty to:

• Collaborate with your peers/faculty to provide world-class, pre-professional arts education
• Lead by example, acting with decency, honesty, and regard for the NOCCA community
• Help promote a safe and equitable environment for the NOCCA community
• Practice and encourage accountability for students and peers

Faculty at NOCCA are expected to introduce students to a particular discipline with the serious assumption that students will participate in that discipline in the future. NOCCA does not follow a traditional education model as such, but rather an initiation model. An initiation model is a powerful one – it forms the foundation for the seriousness and respect present in faculty/student and peer relationships, which in turn provides a sense of safety for all, extending the degree to which students can be pushed to both understand and produce their best work.

JOB DUTIES

• Collaborates with colleagues and Director of Arts in curriculum development, planning and programming.
• Collaborates with faculty to create a comprehensive class/work schedule for the Jazz Instrumental Music department, including collaborative classes with other Music Departments (Classical Instrumental/Vocal Music).
• Oversees departmental courses, selects books and course supplies.
• Sets individual course objectives, plans lessons, organizes, teaches Jazz group classes and individual music lessons, music theory, musicianship courses as scheduled to enrolled high school aged students. 
• Plans and facilitates collaborative work - master classes, student performances, review & feedback, workshops and auditions, guest artist visits/instruction.
• Chooses repertoire, plans and directs/supervises the musical and stage direction of student concerts. 
• Collaborates with other faculty in support of curricula improvement to promote students' success and mastery of course and program competencies.  
• Feels strong responsibility for the success and safety of all students within the Department.
• Ensures student compliance with school policies and procedures; reinforces positive behavior and addresses misconduct appropriately.
• Attends biweekly department chair meetings, 1:1 meetings with the Director of Arts and committee meetings.
• Facilitates weekly departmental meetings.
• Monitors student progress for improvement and awards grades following the established policies.  
• Prepares and mentors students to enter music competitions, and selective music programs. 
• Mentors faculty and students and oversees student external activities; including, but not limited to field trips, writing letters of recommendation, and assisting with audition preparation.  
• Prepares students for college/conservatory auditions, including the selection of repertoire, the recording of college audition videos, and any other assistance needed for the student to audition for high level colleges and conservatories of Music at the National level.
• Collaborates with students, parents and counselors to facilitate students’ engagement and successful completion of  the program, and preparation for life after NOCCA.  
• Mentors/supervises Jazz Instrumental Faculty in all realms of Jazz music, including repertoire selection and programming. 
• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to excellence.
• Knowledge or experience utilizing technology and innovative pedagogy to deliver exceptional teaching and learning desired.
• Execute biannual performance evaluations, providing guidance for growth and goal setting.
• Reviews and approves department faculty time cards and leave requests.
• Responsible for department budget oversight; requests and recommends use of funds; and works within Department constraints of fiscal matters as appropriate.  
• Attends/Facilitates/Supervises NOCCA events- Open Studio, Auditions, Grade Nights, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Senior Saturday, Celebration, Parent Night, Student Shows and Presentations, and Professional Development days. 
• Is in direct communication with parent(s)/guardian(s)/family regarding student progress. 
• Fosters community relationships - higher education institutions, non- profit, business, industry partners.
• Participates in professional growth opportunities as both an artist and an instructor & incorporates learning into the curriculum.
• Performs other relevant responsibilities as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong background in Jazz music performance on a national/international level; strong musicianship skills.
• A personal and professional commitment to creating an atmosphere of quality instruction.
• Experience teaching Jazz music with excellent classroom management skills in both one-on-one and group instruction.
• A record of sustained success as a Jazz music educator desired.
• Experience in team leadership, curriculum building, and administrative duties desired.
• A demonstrated history of working effectively with diverse individuals. 
• Ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing. 
• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to excellence.

EDUCATION

• College Degree in discipline with extensive experience, or equivalency in professional work.
• 5 or more years of work experience of professional and/or university/secondary school Jazz music performance experience and comparable education, or combination. 

Additional hours are required for Orientation, Open Studio, Auditions, Grade Nights, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Senior Saturday, Homecoming Events, Graduation, Celebrations, Parent Night, Student Shows and Presentations, and Professional Development days.   

NOCCA is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.  We especially welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

HOW to APPLY:

Please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references by using this link to fill out a Google form. Candidate review will begin on March 9, and applications received after that date will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

or 

mail your submission to: 

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

NOCCA JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL FACULTY

ATTN: Human Resources Department

2800 Chartres Street

New Orleans, LA 70117

NOCCA Vision

We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world.

NOCCA Mission

NOCCA’s mission is to provide a world-class, pre-professional arts education for every young person in Louisiana with the curiosity, creativity, talent and motivation to pursue a life in the arts as they realize the best possible versions of themselves and their futures.

NOCCA as a SAME Agency

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is fully committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its Amending Act of 2008 (collectively ADA).  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, which may include providing reasonable accommodation to the extent it does not cause an undue hardship. NOCCA will not discriminate against nor tolerate discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in any employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

BENEFITS 

In addition to approved Holidays, you will be entitled to all benefits afforded to a State of Louisiana team member, including the following:

• Earning sick leave time at a rate of 10 days per school year 
• A choice of health and life insurance plans for yourself and your family, as selected
• A choice of  supplemental insurance benefits, such as dental, vision, and short-term or long-term disability
• Participation in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) or the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS). 
• K-time may be available with pre-approval for consultancy outside of the normal scope of the position
• Option for participation in voluntary retirement plan vehicles [403(b) or 457 plans]