Academic Advisor - Academy (Summers Off)

POSITION SUMMARY:

At Zach, we believe in the power of light—to illuminate new ideas, spark imagination, and bring people together. As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, we create vibrant, intimate theater experiences that engage, inspire, and connect our community. Beyond the stage, Zach’s impact radiates throughout the community, reaching more than 125,000 Central Texans annually, including 35,000 young people who discover their own creative spark through our education programs, outreach initiatives, and inspiring camps and classes. 

Zach Theater’s premiere advanced training program, Zach Academy, seeks a part-time, exempt Academic Advisor, working approximately 25-27 hours per week. The Academic Advisor serves as the primary facilitator for our on-site academic space. The focus of this role is to provide students with the structure needed to navigate their online learning, assist with administrative hurdles, and act as the main point of contact for parents regarding academic progress. This position will generally work 10.5 months out of the year with 6-8 weeks off during the summer.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Zach Academy is a pre-professional training program built inside one of the most respected professional producing theaters in the country. Our focus is on cultivating confident, versatile, and highly skilled performers, with the unique opportunity to train inside a nationally recognized professional organization.

In partnership with accredited virtual schools, ZACH offers a structured environment for students to complete their academic coursework during the school day. While students utilize external virtual platforms for their coursework, ZACH provides on-site supervision, time management skills, and the accountability necessary for academic success. This model allows students the flexibility to balance elite-level training with their educational requirements in a supportive, focused setting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Online Learning Facilitation: Monitors student progress within their respective virtual school platforms, ensuring students remain on task and meet their daily and weekly pacing goals.
• Academic Accountability: Acts as a liaison between the virtual school providers, students, and parents to help resolve logistical issues and ensure academic requirements are being met.
• Classroom Management: Creates and maintains a quiet, structured, and productive environment conducive to independent study.
• Ensures that regular attendance is being taken in all classes and absences are relayed daily to parents daily via email. 
• Schedule Mapping: Maps out each student’s daily academic schedule, ensuring they balance their online coursework effectively with their specialized training blocks.
• Parent Communication: Sends weekly email updates to parents regarding academic milestones, student progress, and upcoming school-year events. 
• Additionally, responds to all parent emails/communications generally within 48 hours. 
• Event Coordination: Attends Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and manages logistics for academic-related events, including Teacher Appreciation Week, holiday gatherings, prom, end of semester demonstrations, and graduation.
• Provides classroom coverage as needed to ensure continuous supervision of students.
• Ideally this position has the ability to tutor 6-12th graders in core subjects including math, science, social studies, language arts. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Associate Director of Advanced Training

Supervises (if any): None

Supports: Students, Parent Community, Education & Youth Programming Team members

Peer collaboration/communicates with: Collaboration with Leadership Teams; collaboration across departments and teams; interacts with students and parents

 PAY:

This position is paid year-round but includes 6-8 weeks off during the summer per the program calendars. Beginning salary starting between $35,000-$40,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum and midpoint of the range posted depending upon qualifications, years of experience in a similar role, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. 

Some of the great benefits available to Zach Employees:

• 401K Matching Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Paid Holidays
• Free Parking
• Tickets to Mainstage and Family Series shows and enrollment in Camps/Classes

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of background and reference checks.

Zach Theater is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive workforce and we strive for a team that reflects Austin’s diverse culture. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national  

origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.

We’re excited to review your application. To ensure a smooth and fair hiring process, please apply online only. We’re not able to accommodate phone calls or in-person visits about this position. 

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree with a Teaching Certificate (preferred) or an equivalent combination of education and experience in an educational setting.
• At least 5 years of experience working with Middle School and/or High School students in a teaching, coaching, tutoring, or proctoring capacity.
• Strong familiarity with online learning environments and the ability to help students troubleshoot organizational or pacing challenges.
• General knowledge and experience in a formal or informal educational environment
• Experience in tracking student progress towards academic and curricular goals and standards

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Exceptional planning and organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and persuasively with parents, students, and staff.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding student records.
• Commitment to working with diverse groups and fostering an inclusive, equitable environment.
• Collaborative and organized team player with excellent customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (specifically Word and Excel). 
• Familiarity with Slack and Asana preferred.
• Ability to work the following typical on-site part-time schedule:  Monday–Thursday generally 8:30a - 2:00p, Fridays 9:00a - 4:00p,  with flexibility to work outside of these times on occasion based on department program needs and events needs. The Academy Supervisor will have 6-8 weeks off in the summer based on the school schedule and program needs. 
• Ability to perform all work with a direct reflection of the vision, mission, and values of Zach Theater.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

This is a campus-based, on-site role. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions upon discussion with HR.

• The noise level in this work environment is typically moderate and can be high at times
• May be expected to lift for move up to 25 pounds 
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Must be comfortable working in a shared office space and a dynamic educational environment