Art Instructor

JOB LOCATION

Aurora, Colorado 80012-1563

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Library and Cultural Services Departments vision is to empower an environment of lifelong learning and cultural enrichment by stimulating learning and literacy, inspiring creativity, and integrating arts, culture and history into the lives of Aurorans. We have two divisions within the department: Library and Cultural Services, both offering a variety of free services to the community, including 5 public libraries, the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites, Aurora Fox Arts Center, The People’s Building, and community events, programs, and activities for all ages.  Please go to www.AuroraGov.org/LCS to learn more about the City of Aurora, Library and Cultural Services Department.

The deadline to submit applications is November 30, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

The hiring range for this role is $19.05 - $23.81/hour

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee), where the selected candidate will work less than 29 hours per week. This position does not provide medical benefits. This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.

Position overview

The Art Instructor is learner-centered and responsive to diverse student goals. This role will provide a teaching style focused on quality, innovation, self-initiative and problem solving. The Art Instructor will support the Aurora Cultural Arts in the areas of teaching visual arts classes and/or other related classes and events.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with staff to set goals and objectives for classes, arts education programs and other related events.
• Creates, plans and delivers lesson plans tailored to diverse ages, abilities and skill levels.
• Prepares course materials that support objectives and student-driven goals; assesses progress through ongoing observation.
• Creatively engages with students and parents to inform them about ongoing and upcoming arts education programs.
• Maintains accurate and confidential student records, including attendance and contact information.

• Advises staff on supplies and materials needed for classes.

• Maintains a clean, organized and safe classroom environment.
• Communicates clearly and promptly with students, parents and staff regarding student progress, behavior, classroom needs, program logistics, etc.
• Supports a safe, inclusive, and mutually respectful instructional environment both inside and outside the classroom.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• A four-year degree in Fine Arts or other related fields or equivalent professional experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year teaching drawing, watercolor, painting and/or other forms of art.
• Experience delivering lesson plans to both youth and adult students in a classroom setting; private lessons may be considered.

• Preferred Qualifications:
• 2 years of teaching experience preferred.
• Prior experience instructing students in artistic methods, materials and creative approaches across multiple art mediums.
• Experience teaching students of varying ages and skill levels.
• Familiarity with curriculum development in arts education programs
• Bilingual

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of the visual arts discipline(s).
• Familiarity with artistic tools, materials and creative practices.
• Knowledge of art history and contemporary art movements to provide context and inspiration.

Skills:

• Adapt lessons for diverse learning styles.
• Techniques for assessing student progress in artistic skills.
• Excellent instructional and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Abilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents and staff.
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
• Ability to adapt teaching methods to student interests and learning styles.
• Complete tasks and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light work that involves moving no more than 20 pounds at a time, with or without assistance.
• Set up and take down classroom equipment and materials, including tables, chairs and other necessary equipment.
• Moving materials/supplies to and from classes/events.
• Be able to stand and move around for 1-2 hours.
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.
• Hand/eye coordination to operate tools, equipment and materials needed to run classes/events.
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with students, families and staff.

Work Environment:

• Primarily indoors, occasional outdoors for outreach, workshops, etc.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard art, office and classroom equipment.
• Requires the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. personal computer, vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26‑1283)
As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.