ADVISOR

PROGRAM STRATEGY AND OUTREACH

GENERAL OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Advisor, Program Strategy and Community Outreach is a member of the
Executive Director’s leadership team, providing direction, vision, and strategies for all programs. In addition, the
Advisor will lead community outreach and engagement within the professional circus industry. The Advisor is an essential member of the SANCA staff and will drive strategies that create a positive and engaging circus culture within the organization.

COMPENSATION:
Annual Salary: $27,000 – $34,000 Part-time position.
Benefits: Benefits include free circus classes for staff, free and/or discounted circus classes for the direct family of staff, and free use of SANCA’s gym for training and fitness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including any of the following
representative duties, knowledge, and skills:

• Collaborates and communicates effectively with other SANCA staff to develop and implement program
strategies, community outreach, and a positive culture within SANCA.

• Provide exemplary leadership that drives the programming vision for the organization; collaborating with
internal and external stakeholders to execute state-of-the-art circus arts for the community.

• Play a leadership role in the community and develop strong partnerships with organizations that will
support and further expand the SANCA mission.

• Provides visionary strategy for programs; recreational classes, Youth Companies, Flying Trapeze, Every
Body Circus, Artists in Residence, adult performances, and workshops.

• Drives strategies for developing a positive culture within SANCA; bringing people together to share,
learn and grow both internally and externally.

• Provides strategy for the coach’s education program, minimum standards, and curriculum for all SANCA
coaches.

• Develops strategy for prioritizing facility usage for all constituent groups and working across department
lines to communicate priorities.

• Partners with the Manager, Marketing and Outreach to provide program strategies for marketing
campaigns.

• Leads the program advisory committee; creating and driving the direction, recruiting, and onboarding
members, and communicating progress to the program staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have a strong reputation in the circus community, a strong background in circus arts, and exemplary leadership skills. They will work well with others and have a strong ability to foster a creative, open-minded work environment; they will be open to new and different ideas, with a willingness to celebrate the successes of their team members. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Professional work experience in the circus community is mandatory. We will also consider candidates whose experiences and learning have come through non-traditional paths.

TO APPLY:
Please email your cover letter and resume to hr@sancaseattle.org. The position is open until filled. Questions may be asked by email only to hr@sancaseattle.org

Important Monkeypox Information

GENERAL OVERVIEW 

Number of cases in Washington: 175 

Total number of cases in the United States: 7,510 

Monkeypox spreads in several ways, such as through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids. Know how to identify distinctive symptoms, rashes, or sores that can look like blisters or pimples. Seek care and protect others if you suspect infection. Monkeypox is a treatable viral disease primarily spread through higher-risk behaviors – such as sex with multiple partners or being in crowded, indoor spaces where people have close skin-to-skin contact and close breathing. 

Cases around the region are included among the 3,487 on July 25. Everyone should know how to identify the rashes and protect themselves – both before and after an infection. 

Monkeypox usually appears on individuals as distinctive rashes or sores that can look like blisters or pimples. Risk remains low for those not engaging in higher-risk activities, but shared bedding and clothing is another vehicle for spread. 

Know how to identify the rashes and sores so you can seek out a post-exposure vaccine through health care providers if needed. There are also simple, non-pharmaceutical precautions people can take to protect themselves when in these higher-risk environments. 

PROTECT YOURSELF 

Simple actions can help protect you from exposure to monkeypox: 

• Consider covering exposed skin in dense, indoor crowds 
• Don’t share bedding or clothing with others when possible 
• Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent  rashes or sores 
• Stay aware if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks
• When around people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox, avoid: 
• close, skin-to-skin contact, such as through kissing, hugging, cuddling, or sex; 
• sharing bedding, clothing, or utensils. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. PROTECT OTHERS 

There are also actions you can take to protect others if you have symptoms – particularly a rash consistent with  monkeypox, such as these: Source: cdc.gov/monkeypox

If you have one of those tell-tale rashes or if you have had contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox: 

• Stay home if you are feeling sick 
• Contact a health care provider as soon as possible for an evaluation 
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has  been completed 
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing 
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing 
• Wear a well-fitted mask 
• If you are contacted by public health officials, answer their confidential questions to help protect others  who may have been exposed 

OTHER CONTAGIOUS ILLNESSES  

There are other contagious illnesses that can cause rash or skin lesions that should also be treated. For example,  syphilis and herpes are much more common than monkeypox and can look similar. 

Anyone can get monkeypox, but some groups are currently at higher risk. Many of the current cases are within networks of self-identified gay and bisexual men, trans people, and men who have sex with men. People in these networks are currently at higher risk, though people of any sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected and spread monkeypox. 

We continue to urge the media, government officials, and the community-at-large to support those at highest risk,  encourage others to take precautions, and avoid stigmatizing a particular group or person for monkeypox. With cases of monkeypox spreading, know how to protect yourself and others so you can help keep our whole community safe. 

Resources 

• Monkeypox Guidance and Status in U.S. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) • Monkeypox: Social Gatherings & Safer Sex (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) • Monkeypox: Pets in the home (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 
• Monkeypox Guidance & Status in California (California Department of Public Health) • First Alameda County Resident with Confirmed Orthopox Virus Infection, Suspected Monkeypox (Alameda  County Public Health)

Our day camps allow students to develop physical skills, increase confidence, build self-esteem and get physically fit. If you are passionate about the circus arts and looking to gain volunteer hours, this might be the right opportunity for you! 

Full-day camps are 9 am-3 pm. 

Volunteers are expected to: 

• Assist with set up at the beginning of each day.
  
• Greet campers as they arrive and help them find cubbies, as well as escort them to their coaches.
• Be a welcoming influence throughout the day, showing enthusiasm and celebrating the successes of campers.
• Assist campers with transitions between circus stations, facilitating the movement of camp groups through the gym space.
• Uphold SANCA’s COVID-19 guidelines, reminding campers about proper social distancing and mask-wearing.
• Assist individual campers with finding an available bathroom, a band-aid, or an ice pack
• Be available to coaches who may need extra support throughout the day. 
• Help to supervise during outdoor mask breaks and lunchtime.
• Other duties as outlined by Misty the camps manager. (Tie-Dye, Crafts, assisting on the floor, etc.) 

APPLY HERE

RESOURCES

Camps Manager

Misty Doty

Program Director

Tom Hanna

Circus Camp Coach
School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts

Reports to: Camp Manager

The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) is looking for energetic and enthusiastic circus coaches for circus camp. Camps run Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. All hired coaches will be trained to coach to SANCA’s standards of safety and skill progressions. 

Description: SANCA’s Camp Program provides a fun, engaging, and safe experience for children between ages 6 and 15, with camps grouped by age into pods of 6. Coaches will instruct campers in trampoline, tumbling, aerial rope and silk, static trapeze, partner Acro, German Wheel, Unicycle, juggling, and other circus skills. Coaches will help to create an exciting and fun experience that includes teamwork, a positive atmosphere, and the joy of circus, helping campers through the challenge of learning new things by breaking difficult or complex skills down into steps, and helping their students feel successful, whatever their rate of progression. 

Camp coaches are part-time, with hours ranging from 18 to 33 hours per week.  Coaches are scheduled in AM (8:30am-1:30pm) or PM (10:30am-3:30pm) shifts.  

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adhere to SANCA’s policies, objectives, and rules 
• Support SANCA’s Mission and Vision 
• Participate in SANCA Camp staff training 
• Present a warm and welcoming demeanor towards campers and parents, and engage with campers in a fun and constructive manner
• Maintain a safe environment for the student, physically and emotionally
• Supervise and instruct campers in a variety of circus skills and apparatuses, including the Flying Trapeze tent, Tie-Dye, or Crafts as assigned by SANCA’s camp manager
• Coach circus classes with an emphasis on safety, positivity, and small steps to success. 
• Follow the curriculum and weekly rotation
  
• Present a high level of professionalism as a teacher/representative of SANCA
  
• Prepare for each day’s classes before camp begins
  
• Communicate with other coaches teaching at the same time as you to maintain good flow throughout the gym and rotation of use of equipment
  
• Communicate with the supervisor about needs, challenges, and student progress
• Be present and ready to greet campers 30 minutes before camp starts and work with other coaches to clean up camp areas 30 minutes after camp ends (this is paid time)
• Help campers develop social skills during snack, lunch, and other ‘down’ time
• Provide motivational support and guidance to campers
• Communicate and enforce SANCA’s COVID protocols

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would have

• Have experience working with culturally diverse youth 
• Have experience teaching youth 
• Have good classroom management skills 
• Have a working knowledge of child’s physical and cognitive development 
• Have a broad knowledge of circus skills and safe progressions (especially, tumbling, Acro, juggling, tightwire, rolling globe, trapeze, trampoline) 
• A Willingness to learn
• Be a strong leader, patient, mature, and dependable 
• Have First Aid/CPR certification  
• Ability to lift equipment and spot students where appropriate
• Ability to motivate and effectively communicate with co-workers, parents, and students
• Exercises mature judgment and sound decision-making
• Demonstrates enthusiastic attitude and positive demeanor

Minimum requirements are:

• Experience working with youth 
• Working knowledge of circus skills 
• Pass a background check 
• Patience and ability to deal with stressful situations 

Email resume to: Program Director, Tom Hanna at tomh@sancaseattle.org

SANCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.sancaseattle.org

SANCA has announced a new COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy. It is updated and goes into effect as of May 8, 2022. The Policy is based on updated guidance and requirements from King County Public Health, the State of Washington, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts
COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy

SUMMARY

SANCA is going above and beyond the recommendations of public health organizations to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and surrounding community. Below is our updated policy based on the most recent publications from King County Public Health, the State of Washington, and the CDC

MASK POLICY

Despite the State of Washington no longer mandating masks for indoor businesses, all persons who enter SANCA are required to wear masks that cover face and nose.

The only exceptions to this rule are as follows:

• For staff and students, masks may be temporarily removed when drinking water.
• For staff, masks may be temporarily removed when eating (students are not permitted to eat inside SANCA’s facility).
• For staff when inside an enclosed room and isolated, masks may be temporarily removed.

VACCINATION POLICY

• Students and visitors to SANCA will be asked to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival at SANCA.
  • Proof of vaccination can be presented as:
    • A original COVID 19 vaccination card
    • A copy or photograph of the vaccination card on a mobile device
    • A print out of a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form from the WA State Immunization Information System
    • Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination or QR Codes from MyIRmobile.com, WAverify.org, or another WA State endorsed partner mobile app.
  • As an alternative to providing vaccine verification, prior to entry individuals over 12 must provide digital or printed documentation from a testing agent, including a laboratory, health care provider, or pharmacy of a negative FDA-approved PCR test administered within the previous 72 hours, or
  • If a PCR test cannot be acquired in advance of arrival, students will be asked to take an FDA approved rapid antigen test onsite under the supervision of a staff member. Students will not be allowed to join classes, workshops, or lessons until a negative result is obtained. If you plan to test onsite, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your event to allow adequate time for testing.
• SANCA also requires that its staff provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Exemptions may be permitted for religious and health reasons as appropriate when approved by Human Resources and/or the Executive Director.

 SOCIAL DISTANCING POLICY

• We recommend all students remain socially distant when possible within SANCA.
• Students and guests who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and/or have provided a negative test result prior to entering the building do not have to remain socially distant from others while participating in contact activities such as partner acrobatics, partner aerial, and catching in the fly tent.
• In order to maintain social distance, coaches will minimize hands on spotting during classes. If a student would like additional support during maneuvers, please ask. Coaches are able to offer more hands-on support when requested, but will maintain social distancing otherwise.

EXPOSURE AND REPORTING POLICY

• Our existing waivers still address COVID-19 so students are advised to read them again to understand exposure reporting and other responsibilities.
• According to the waiver, everyone who comes to SANCA represents they are in good health and have had no known exposure to COVID-19 and no symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days prior to entering SANCA’s facility
  • If a student develops symptoms of COVID-19, they shall immediately cease entering SANCA’s facility and complete a COVID-19 test.
    • If the test is negative and they are not experiencing a fever, they may return to SANCA Immediately.
    • If the test is positive, they must remain in isolation for 5 days. They may then return to SANCA as long as they are symptom free.
      • If symptoms persist after 5 days of isolation, the student must remain out until symptoms subside and they have been fever free for 24 hours.
      • Students do not need to retest after the stated isolation period, but should continue to mask and social distance when returning to activities (per CDC guidelines).

• If an individual has a known exposure to COVID-19,  the student must immediately quarantine and complete a COVID-19 test 5 days after the date of exposure
  • If an individual tests negative, they are welcome to immediately return to activities. However, they should remain isolated if any symptoms are present and only return to activities once they are post-symptomatic.
  • If the test is positive, they must remain in isolation for 5 days. They may then return to SANCA as long as they are symptom free.
    • If symptoms persist after 5 days of isolation, they student must remain out until symptoms subside and they have been fever free for 24 hours.
    • Students do not need to retest after the stated isolation period, but should continue to mask and social distance when returning to activities (per CDC guidelines).

• SANCA is following CDC guidelines for contact tracing. Students and staff who have been identified as exposed (having been within 6ft of an individual who tested positive of COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more) will be notified by email and phone.
  • If you receive notification that you have experienced an exposure, please follow the guidelines listed above regarding quarantining and testing.

VISITATION/VIEWING POLICY

• Due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 and the overall reduced facility size at SANCA, we do not currently have a viewing room. In general, parents, family, and guests of students are asked to wait outside of SANCA’s facilities during their student’s class.
• Any parent who wishes to observe a class may do so by requesting access. Requests must be made through the SANCA Front Office at least 24 hours in advance of the class. To request access, please call (206) 652-4433 or email office@sancaseattle.org.

CLEANING POLICIES

• Cleaning supplies are stocked and placed in designated, visible areas around SANCA. Signage accompanying the supplies provides instructions for which cleaning supplies can be used on each type of equipment. Staff members are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of equipment during and between classes. All mats and any equipment used during a class must be cleaned before being put away.

MISCELLANEOUS

SANCA recognizes that our understanding of COVID-19 and recommended precautions regarding the virus may change rapidly. SANCA reserves the right to alter these policies as needed based on new information, whether regarding COVID-19 or other factors, with or without advance notice.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact Octavia Graham.

Circus Camp Coach
School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts

Reports to: Camp Manager

The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) is looking for energetic and enthusiastic circus coaches for circus camp. Camps run Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. All hired coaches will be trained to coach to SANCA’s standards of safety and skill progressions. 

Description: SANCA’s Camp Program provides a fun, engaging, and safe experience for children between ages 6 and 15, with camps grouped by age into pods of 6. Coaches will instruct campers in trampoline, tumbling, aerial rope and silk, static trapeze, partner Acro, German Wheel, Unicycle, juggling, and other circus skills. Coaches will help to create an exciting and fun experience that includes teamwork, a positive atmosphere, and the joy of circus, helping campers through the challenge of learning new things by breaking difficult or complex skills down into steps, and helping their students feel successful, whatever their rate of progression. 

Camp coaches are part-time, with hours ranging from 18 to 33 hours per week.  Coaches are scheduled in AM (8:30am-1:30pm) or PM (10:30am-3:30pm) shifts.  

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adhere to SANCA’s policies, objectives and rules 
• Support SANCA’s Mission and Vision 
• Participate in SANCA Camp staff training 
• Present a warm and welcoming demeanor towards campers and parents, and engage with campers in a fun and constructive manner
• Maintain a safe environment for the student, physically and emotionally
• Supervise and instruct campers in a variety of circus skills and apparatuses, including the Flying Trapeze tent, as assigned by SANCA’s camp manager
• Coach circus classes with an emphasis on safety, positivity, and small steps to success. 
• Follow the curriculum and weekly rotation
  
• Present a high level of professionalism as a teacher/representative of SANCA
  
• Prepare for each day’s classes before camp begins
  
• Communicate with other coaches teaching at the same time as you to maintain good flow throughout the gym and rotation of use of equipment
  
• Communicate with the supervisor about needs, challenges, student progress
• Be present and ready to greet campers 30 minutes before camp starts and work with other coaches to clean up camp areas 30 minutes after camp ends (this is paid time)
• Help campers develop social skills during snack, lunch, and other ‘down’ time
• Provide motivational support and guidance to campers
• Communicate and enforce SANCA’s COVID protocols

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would have

• Have experience working with culturally diverse youth 
• Have experience teaching youth 
• Have good classroom management skills 
• Have a working knowledge of child physical and cognitive development 
• Have a broad knowledge of circus skills and safe progressions (especially, tumbling, Acro, juggling, tightwire, rolling globe, trapeze, trampoline) 
• A Willingness to learn
• Be a strong leader, patience, mature, and dependable 
• Have First Aid/CPR certification  
• Ability to lift equipment and to spot students where appropriate
• Ability to motivate and effectively communicate with co-workers, parents and students
• Exercises mature judgment and sound decision-making
• Demonstrates enthusiastic attitude and positive demeanor

Minimum requirements are:

• Experience working with youth 
• Working knowledge of circus skills 
• Pass a background check 
• Patience and ability to deal with stressful situations 

Email resume to: Program Director, Tom Hanna at tomh@sancaseattle.org

SANCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.sancaseattle.org

The SANCA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Joe Hampson will be our new Executive Director, starting March 21. Joe stands out among the large pool of qualified candidates for the depth of his experience with nonprofits serving youth over more than 20 years. He brings an outstanding level of expertise in nonprofit management, strategic planning, community outreach, marketing, finance and development.

SANCA has been very fortunate to have benefited from the leadership of Dr. Octavia Graham, who has served as Interim Executive Director since last November. Octavia has been an inspiration for her deft handling of SANCA’s business and operations during this time of transition. She will be resuming her work as the Director of Staff Success (HR). Thank-you, Octavia.

Joe Hampson has been an Executive Director for the Sno-King Youth Club and the Sound Football Club, and a senior executive in multiple areas for Special Olympics Washington. According to those who have worked with Joe, he is very smart, a hard worker, open to hearing and developing the ideas of others, has strong experience with equity and inclusion, and is warm-hearted and kind. He is really excited about the power of SANCA to transform lives and he wants to be part of the team doing that.

Please give Joe our warmest welcome, and get to know him.

Kevin Ruddell
President, SANCA Board of Directors

Greeting SANCA Community,

As many of you are aware Governor Inslee announced that the vaccination verification mandate will end on Tuesday, March 1^st and the indoor mask mandate will be lifted Monday, March 21^st. This has sparked a great deal of discussion here at SANCA (as well as with other local circus organizations). For the foreseeable future, SANCA will continue with our current policies requiring students and staff to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test and to wear masks while inside the building.

SANCA’s mission is to improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by engaging them in the joyous creativity of acrobatics and circus arts. This means many of our students and community members fall into age or health categories that leave them at heightened risk of COVID-19. While current numbers are at their lowest point since last fall, they are still as high as they were during the Delta surge. The best way to stay protected is to continue to be cautious and vigilant.  In an effort to protect the health and well-being of our students and staff, we ask that you continue to wear your mask when onsite and be prepared to show proof of vaccination or a negative test when entering the building.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we navigate through these challenging times. As always, our goal is to keep everyone at SANCA as safe as possible. We want to ensure that you feel safe training with us. We will be continuously evaluating our policies and updating them as necessary during the coming weeks. We welcome your input as we navigate and adapt to the changing public health landscape.

Best,

Octavia Graham, Interim Executive Director