Jobs
Join Us at Cal Performances
Cal Performances, based at the University of California, Berkeley, is a leading presenter and commissioner of world-class music, dance, and theater for the San Francisco Bay Area. We bring together extraordinary artists, bold ideas, and engaged audiences to inspire, enlighten, and enrich lives through the power of live performance. Known for the unmatched quality and variety of programming, our diverse artistic and educational programs reach the UC Berkeley campus, the wider Bay Area, and audiences worldwide via digital platforms. With a $20M annual budget, a dedicated team of 65 full-time staff, 90 student employees, and 200 volunteers, we welcome nearly half a million audience members each year across five venues. If you’re looking to join a creative, collaborative, and mission-driven organization that thrives on excellence and innovation, we invite you to be part of our story.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online through the University of California, Berkeley’s application portal: jobs.berkeley.edu. Direct links to the open positions are in the job posting.
- External applicants: You’ll need to create an account if don’t have one already
- Current UC employees (“internal applicants”): Make sure your CalNet ID is enabled, then log into UCPath, open the Recruiting WorkCenter, and click the UC Berkeley Campus Careers link.
For step-by-step guidance, visit UC Berkeley Talent Acquisition – Explore Careers.
We do not accept hardcopy resumes — all applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley jobs portal.
Full-Time
We have no full-time positions open at this time.
Part-Time
We have no part-time positions open at this time.
Temporary
Classification: 4128U – Rec Program Instructor 2, Non-Exempt
Percent Time: Part-time (per event): April 27–June 5, 2026
8 hours per day for 7 weeks: June 8–July 24, 2026
Supervisor’s Title: Manager, Education and Community Programs
Personnel Program: Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM)
Salary range: $19.66/hr
Introduction
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.
Responsibilities:
- 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.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Required
- 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 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.
Preferred
- 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 more information, please email aileycamp@calperformances.org.
Classification: 4128U – Rec Program Instructor 2
Percent Time: Part-time (per event): March 23–June 5, 2026
Full-time for 7 weeks: June 8–July 24, 2026
Supervisor’s Title: Manager, Education and Community Programs
Personnel Program: Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM)
Salary range: $22/hr for the period of March 23–June 5, 2026 (PT)
$6,160 total for period of June 8–July 24, 2026
Introduction
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 AileyCamp Dance Instructors will teach, model, and support student learning through dance techniques for the AileyCampers. Specific techniques in Jazz, Modern (Horton technique), African, and Ballet are detailed below. The dance faculty consists of four instructors who work collaboratively with the AileyCamp directors, Guidance Counselor, Creative Communications instructor, Personal Development instructor, and a staff of Group Leaders to ensure a supportive, professional environment.
Responsibilities:
- 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 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June 8 – July 24, 2026 (and until 9:30pm on 7/23 performance night) for all weeks employed.
- Teach up to four classes per day, four days per week, or as determined by the AileyCamp directors.
- Participate in the general oversight of the campers, including at meal times and camper free periods, including but not limited to assist with other class engagement, support Group Leaders in their oversight of individual groups of campers, provide supervision during breakfast, lunch and breaks as assigned on a rotating basis, and take on projects in support of camp, production preparation, and audience engagement.
- Participate in individual and AileyCamp staff meetings, including scheduled meetings during working meals and at least two after-camp meetings a week.
- Plan lessons aligned with the specific dance genre for which they are hired to develop physical and mental stamina, agility, grace, cooperative work, and an appreciation for the joys of rigorous discipline among youth.
- Provide the schedule and description of the proposed class content to AileyCamp directors for final approval and integration into the whole camp curriculum.
- Coordinate with Group Leaders, Group Leader Mentor, and other staff to assess campers’ individual needs, and support them in interventions to meet these needs.
- Complete two camper progress evaluations during the course of camp.
- Produce material and documentation for the Camp Anthology and other materials demonstrating the campers’ experience.
- Choreograph a camper presentation for the final performance.
Position Controls
The AileyCamp Dance Instructors report to the AileyCamp Directors and work with them to develop final showcase performances. They work closely with the other AileyCamp Instructors and staff, contributing to an ensemble of adult mentors and providers that fosters a safe, holistic environment for campers, their colleagues, and visitors.
Incumbents operate with considerable independence within the parameters of the camp structure, with freedom to make daily decisions within the scope of University policies, Cal Performances’ mission and vision, program plans, and established needs of teaching and performance programs.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Required
- Requires prior experience as a professional dancer and dance instructor in Jazz, Modern (Horton technique), Ballet, or at least one regional dance of Africa.
- Demonstrated experience working with children identified as having one or more of the following at-risk factors: living with a single parent or no parent; having a sibling who dropped out of school or became a school-age parent; having difficulty with the traditional school structure, as determined by teacher observation; or having low self-esteem.
- Familiarity with and/or ability to be trained in and implement youth-centered learning frameworks.
- Excellent leadership skills, including an ability to command respect and motivate achievement while working effectively with young people, serving as a positive influence and model for disciplined practice, healthy personal habits, and respectful communication with campers and with your peers.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to diverse persons, and actively work as part of an ensemble with a shared mission to support campers and camp activities in whatever manner is needed.
- 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 tasks or support others in accomplishing tasks related to the camp’s successful and smooth operation.
- 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 all UC Berkeley’s policies for employees.
Jazz Dance:
A basic understanding of the principles of jazz dance, including jazz hands, jazz walks, jazz runs, leaps, jazz slides, step-ball changes, and energy focus, and demonstrated success contributing to an ensemble work environment, requiring willingness and ability to take on tasks outside the dance classroom.
Strongly Preferred
- Experience in choreographing for youth of varying abilities.
- Experience with the frameworks of youth development and youth-centered learning environments.
For more information, please email aileycamp@calperformances.org.
Fellowships and Internships
We have no fellowship or internship positions open at this time.
UCB Student Opportunities
All open student positions are listed on the UC Berkeley Work-Study Program website. Please refer to work-study website at https://workstudy.berkeley.edu.
Work Study students will be given hiring preference, but applications from other UC Berkeley students will be accepted.
