East Side Neighborhood Services has an opening for a part time Creative Arts Therapist to
provide therapeutic arts activities, family and individual creative arts therapy to referred youth
and families from ESNS’ Youth Department. Works to fulfill the mission of East Side’s Youth
Department: Creating places that educate and empower all youth to thrive. Must be able to
relate with and provide outreach to all segments of a multi-cultural community, including underresourced, under-served youth and their families.
Major Job Responsibilities:
Is responsible for, but not limited to the following functions:
1. Program Development:
 Implements an initial trauma-informed assessment to determine program eligibility and
measure youth and family need.
 Develops individual/family treatment plans and determines appropriate creative arts
therapy interventions and goals in coordination with clients.
 Designs and implements trauma-informed creative arts therapy programming based on
needs of individual, family and community.
 Responsible for tracking participation and keeping accurate case notes, collecting
evaluative data when needed, and assisting Youth Department Director in program
proposals and reports.
2. Case Management:
 Cultivates and maintains partnerships between schools, mental health providers,
community health networks, legal and justice services, faith communities and families
and individual.
 Offers psycho-social education, support, and resource referrals to program participants
and adult caretakers.
 Provides timely feedback to adult caretakers on youth/family progress when appropriate.
 Provides, at minimum, two home visits per service period.
3. Staff Supervision:
 Assists with the recruitment, hiring and development of program staff, interns, teachers
and volunteers to ensure that all youth work is in accordance with ESNS agency, MPS
departmental policies, procedures and guiding principles.
 Assists in the training and supervision of interns, volunteers and youth workers to ensure
that each work in accordance with established professional conduct and procedures,
demonstrate an ability to work age-appropriately with youth, and promote the goals of
ESNS Youth Programs.
 Provides consultation to ESNS Youth Department staff team members, when appropriate.
4. Administrative Duties:
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Prepares and maintains accurate records to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of
program participants and their families.
Assists in the development of new programs and program services when needed.
Assists with data collection and program evaluation.
Assists with grant-writing.
Works within the Youth Department team to define program goals that conform to the
program contracts and reports progress to Youth Department Director and program
funders.
Meets with collaborative community groups OST and Be@School team to report
progress, discuss issues and give/receive support.
Attends supervisory meetings and works with staff committees as assigned.
5. Professional Development:
 Participates in workshops, classes, and self-directed study to further develop professional
skills and competencies commensurate with assigned job responsibilities.
 Increases staff awareness by presenting newly acquired information at staff meetings as
requested.
 Maintains current knowledge of evidence-based practices that include, but are not limited
to, a Trauma-Informed approach to the practice of Youthwork and the Creative Arts
Therapies.
 Willingness to access and participate in personal clinical supervision in order to reflect
healthfully and practice self-care.
 Maintains professional credentials during time of employment as Youth Department’s
Creative Arts Therapist.
6. Other:
 Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Youth Programs.
Job Requirements and Qualifications:
Education:
 Master’s Degree in a Creative Arts Therapy. This may include drama, art, music,
dance/movement with appropriate board certification and a defined course of study
addressing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families who have
experienced trauma.
 Appropriate board certification or are actively pursuing requirements to obtain it
preferred.
Experience:
 Experience working with diverse, at-risk youth and families
 Demonstrated ability to work independently in an off-site setting, manage time
effectively, multi-task, manage multiple programs concurrently, and utilize supervision
and support as necessary.
 Somali or Spanish/Latino language and cultural competencies strongly desired.
Hours: 20 hours/week; daytime and after-school hours, occasional night/weekend hours.
Other Qualifications:
 Ability to work across ethnic/racial/economic lines for effective communication and trust
building.
 Ability to work in a collaborative and coordinated effort.
 Ability to self-start and effectively problem solve.
 Ability and willingness to work variable hours.
 Ability to set limits on personal and professional boundaries.
 Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
 Familiarity with computer technology and ability to learn computer skills
 Handle confidential information appropriately.
 Valid Minnesota driver’s license required.
The compensation starts at $21.00 per hour depending on qualifications & experience.
We are dedicated to our Affirmative Action goals and work hard to employ a diverse workforce
that represents the communities we serve.
To apply for this position please send your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:
East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413; or by email to humanresources@esns.org; or visit our website at www.esns.org; Closing Date:
Open until filled.