Job Description
Mariachi Paraprofessional
Santa Fe South High School | Santa Fe South Charter Schools
Oklahoma City, OK | Full-Time
About Santa Fe South Charter Schools
Santa Fe South Charter Schools (SFS) is a tuition-free public charter school network serving students from PreK through 12th grade in south Oklahoma City. For more than 20 years, SFS has partnered with families and the community to provide a challenging, student-centered education that prepares students for success in college, career, and life.
Across all campuses, Santa Fe South is grounded in the belief that every student can and will learn at high levels. Our schools emphasize strong instruction, meaningful relationships, and a culture of high expectations where students are known, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.
About Santa Fe South High School
Santa Fe South High School is the original campus of Santa Fe South Charter Schools—opened nearly 25 years ago with just 200 students and a bold belief that zip code should never determine destiny. Today, we serve nearly 1,000 students in a beautiful, thoughtfully designed campus that helped bring new life to the Crossroads Mall area of Oklahoma City.
Students describe our high school in one word: familia. Relationships matter here. Teachers and staff know students deeply, push them to achieve at high levels, and prepare them to have a seat at any table—ready to succeed now and in whatever path they choose later in life.
Our Mariachi program is an important part of the culture and community at Santa Fe South High School, giving students an opportunity to develop as musicians, performers, and teammates while celebrating a musical tradition deeply connected to many of our students and families. We are seeking a skilled, student-centered Mariachi Paraprofessional who will work alongside our Mariachi instructor to help students grow in their musicianship, confidence, discipline, and pride in their craft.
Position Summary
The Mariachi Paraprofessional works alongside the Mariachi instructor to support a high-quality, engaging Mariachi program for Santa Fe South High School students.
This is a hands-on instructional support position for someone who brings both musical skill and a desire to work directly with young people. The Mariachi Paraprofessional assists with classroom instruction, individual and small-group support, sectionals, rehearsals, musical preparation, instrument management, and performance logistics.
The ideal candidate understands that a successful Mariachi program is about more than preparing for performances. Through consistent instruction, encouragement, high expectations, and meaningful musical experiences, this individual will help students develop technical skill, confidence, discipline, teamwork, cultural appreciation, and pride in their work.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Instructional & Student Support
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Assist the Mariachi instructor with daily classroom instruction, rehearsals, and other instructional activities.
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Provide instrumental and/or vocal demonstrations to reinforce skills and concepts taught by the Mariachi instructor.
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Work with individual students and small groups to provide additional instruction, remediation, practice, and skill development.
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Lead instrument-specific sectionals, rehearsals, or practice sessions as directed by the Mariachi instructor.
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Support students in developing proper instrumental and vocal technique, music literacy, musicality, ensemble skills, and performance practices.
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Provide tutoring and academic support related to Mariachi coursework, assignments, and performance preparation.
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Help students develop effective rehearsal habits, personal responsibility, and confidence as musicians and performers.
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Monitor student progress and communicate student needs, successes, or concerns to the Mariachi instructor.
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Support appropriate student behavior and help maintain a positive, focused, and productive classroom and rehearsal environment.
Musical & Program Support
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Assist with arranging and adapting musical selections to meet the instructional needs and skill levels of students.
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Help prepare music, rehearsal materials, and other instructional resources.
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Support the Mariachi instructor in preparing students and ensembles for concerts, festivals, competitions, community events, and other performances.
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Assist with rehearsals before performances and provide additional coaching to students as needed.
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Help maintain the musical and cultural integrity of the Mariachi program while creating an accessible and engaging experience for students at varying levels of musical development.
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Support the continued growth and development of the Mariachi program and encourage student participation and commitment.
Instruments, Equipment & Organization
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Assist with the maintenance, organization, cataloging, distribution, and inventory of Mariachi instruments, music, equipment, and other program materials.
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Inspect instruments and equipment regularly and identify maintenance or repair needs.
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Perform basic instrument maintenance and repairs when appropriate and communicate needs for professional repair or replacement.
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Help establish systems that ensure instruments and equipment are properly used, stored, maintained, and accounted for.
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Prepare the classroom and rehearsal space for instruction and help ensure materials and equipment are ready for effective use of instructional time.
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Assist with maintaining accurate student attendance and other program records as assigned.
Performances & Events
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Assist with planning and coordinating concerts, festivals, competitions, school events, community performances, and other Mariachi activities.
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Prepare and organize performance scripts, programs, schedules, itineraries, music, equipment lists, and other logistical materials.
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Assist with loading, transporting, setting up, and organizing instruments and equipment for performances.
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Support transportation arrangements and other performance-related logistics in coordination with appropriate school personnel.
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Supervise and support students during rehearsals, performances, travel, and other program activities as assigned.
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Help ensure students are prepared, organized, appropriately equipped, and ready to represent Santa Fe South with excellence during performances and community events.
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Be available for occasional evening, weekend, or off-campus performances and activities as required by the program.
Collaboration & School Community
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Work closely with the Mariachi instructor to support the vision, expectations, and daily operation of the program.
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Collaborate professionally with teachers, administrators, school staff, families, and community partners.
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Build positive, respectful relationships with students and contribute to a classroom culture where students feel known, supported, and challenged.
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Model professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and enthusiasm for students.
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Support school-wide expectations, procedures, and initiatives.
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Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding students and school information.
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Perform other duties related to the Mariachi program or student support as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
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Strong knowledge of Mariachi music, instruments, ensemble performance practices, and traditions.
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Proficiency on one or more Mariachi instruments and/or the ability to provide strong vocal demonstrations.
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Ability to model and teach appropriate instrumental or vocal technique.
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Knowledge of music literacy, rehearsal techniques, ensemble skills, and performance preparation.
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Ability to work effectively with musicians at different skill and experience levels.
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Basic knowledge of music arranging and the ability to adapt musical selections for student performers.
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Ability to recognize common instrument maintenance and repair needs.
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Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
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Ability to manage multiple responsibilities associated with instruction, rehearsals, equipment, and performances.
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Ability to work effectively with students individually, in small groups, and in large ensemble settings.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
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Ability to establish positive relationships with high school students while maintaining clear expectations and appropriate professional boundaries.
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Ability to collaborate effectively and take direction from the Mariachi instructor and school leadership.
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Reliability and flexibility, particularly during busy performance seasons.
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Commitment to creating a welcoming, culturally responsive, and engaging learning environment for students.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
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High school diploma or equivalent.
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Knowledge of and experience with Mariachi music and performance.
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Demonstrated proficiency on at least one Mariachi instrument and/or as a Mariachi vocalist.
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Ability to work effectively with high school students and adult colleagues.
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Ability to meet all district and state requirements for employment as a paraprofessional:
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• High school diploma or GED
• Meets 1 of the following requirements:
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• Completion of at least 48 college credit hours.
• Possession of an associate's degree (or higher).
• Successful completion of the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET).
• Passing score on the Praxis ParaPro Assessment (455 or higher).
• Achievement of a Bronze level or higher on the WorkKeys Assessment.
Preferred Qualifications
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Previous experience performing Mariachi music in an ensemble or professional setting.
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Previous experience teaching, coaching, or providing musical instruction.
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Experience working with middle or high school students or in an educational setting.
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Proficiency on one or more traditional Mariachi instruments, such as violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, or guitarrón.
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Experience providing vocal instruction or demonstrations.
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Experience leading sectionals, rehearsals, or small ensembles.
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Experience arranging or adapting music for ensembles.
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Experience with basic instrument maintenance and repair.
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Experience coordinating or supporting concerts, performances, competitions, festivals, or other live events.
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Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to perform the physical functions necessary to support classroom instruction, rehearsals, and performances. Duties may include standing for extended periods, moving throughout classrooms and performance spaces, handling and transporting musical instruments and equipment, assisting with performance setup and breakdown, and traveling between school and performance locations.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Work Environment
The Mariachi Paraprofessional works primarily in a high school music classroom and rehearsal environment but will also work in auditoriums, performance venues, community spaces, and other locations associated with the Mariachi program.
The position may require occasional travel and a flexible schedule to support concerts, festivals, competitions, community events, and other performances that occur outside the regular school day.
Why Santa Fe South?
At Santa Fe South, paraprofessionals are important members of our instructional teams. This role offers the opportunity to combine musical expertise with meaningful work alongside students while helping build a program that creates memorable experiences for students, families, and the broader SFS community.
The Mariachi Paraprofessional will have the opportunity to help students discover and strengthen their talents, develop confidence as performers, celebrate an important musical tradition, and experience the pride that comes from working together toward excellence.
If you are a skilled Mariachi musician who enjoys working with young people and wants to use your talents to make a meaningful difference for students, we encourage you to apply.
Salary and Benefits
• Starting salary: $25,080 annually (190-day contract, no prior experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance provided for contracted employees
• 401(k) with 7% contribution after six months of employment
• 10 days of paid time off