Part Time Actor Facilitator (2 Openings)

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies:

As New York’s leader in online education since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor’s and master’s degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University’s only undergraduate all-transfer college. With 24 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor’s degree, progress from an associate’s degree, earn a master’s degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers.

Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its quality online offerings, and noted for its soaring growth and enrollment, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School’s renowned and affordable online programs—which offer in-state tuition to all students regardless of where they live—ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

Within and created at the same time as CUNY SPS, the Office of Professional Education and Workplace Learning (PEWL) designs custom workplace learning programs to help organizations achieve their goals. We are experts in research-based learning practices, online as well as in-classroom curriculum development and implementation. We are uniquely positioned to respond to organizational learning needs and support change management initiatives swiftly and effectively.

CUNY SPS has partnered with Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to develop and deliver professional learning opportunities for child welfare and juvenile justice professionals. The collaboration between the two organizations has formed the ACS Workforce Institute (ACSWI).

Description:

Reporting to the Learning Operations workstream, the part-time Actor-Facilitators (Actor) are cast to play various roles to provide experiential learning opportunities for child welfare learners at the Administration of Children Services (ACS) Workforce Institute.

As a learning delivery-focused professional simulation team we prepare by reviewing training objectives and character guides, observe live simulations, and participate in debriefing check-ins to maintain the integrity of our work and promote continuous improvement. When in character, an actor subtly guides child welfare learners to demonstrate their acquired skills, feel confident about their strengths, while recognizing any learning needs. When giving verbal strength-based feedback, actors describe their feelings and respond to the verbal and non-verbal style of participants, so the feedback can be used alongside the training objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

CUNY SPS currently seeks professional actors to join our team to play the primary mother parental role and female and/or male-presenting youth role for in-person and virtual simulation training. Other related roles may be assigned as needed. The actor-facilitator will liaise with internal and external stakeholders and trainers to ensure that the learning experience meets organizational programmatic needs.

Mother Parental Role:

• Ability to portray a parent of children aged 8-15 years-old (age varies depends on program).
• Understand some indicators of age-appropriate behaviors.
• Represents various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Female and/or Male-presenting Youth Role:

• Represents age range of 8 – 15.
• Represents various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to portray varying age-appropriate behaviors and characteristics, including attitude and expression.

Minimum Qualifications

• Able to respond quickly to character feedback and guidance.
• Able to dress and supply appropriate attire for different scenarios.
• Comfortable using earpiece/listening device to receive direction during live simulations.
• Can commit to monthly assignments (various).
• Skilled in stage and/or live video performances.
• Must be able to travel to our training sites in NYC, primarily Queens and Downtown Manhattan. For virtual simulations, must have stable internet and reliable devices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to consistently challenge and support multiple learners equally.
• Knowledge of training models – (e.g. GROW, DISC, Personality typing, etc.) please specify.
• Involvement in education, training facilitation, and/or training and development.
• Applied Theater background, including simulation preferred.
• Experience with giving constructive or strength-based feedback to individuals or groups.
• Real-life business experience in social services, education, business, or other industries.
• Demonstrated experience with improvisation.

Location: Various Sites

Assignments depend on program needs and will vary. In-person simulations require all day availability on-site during business hours. Virtual simulations require 3-5 hours depending on project. Must be willing to travel to in-person locations throughout New York City.

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).

RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.