Job Description

Overview:

As a Puppeteer with the Kids on the Block program at the Barber National Institute, you’ll join a dedicated troupe that educates and raises awareness about disabilities through engaging puppet performances at schools and community events. By bringing characters to life, you will help foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding in a creative and interactive format.

This is a public-facing role requiring comfort with performance, teamwork, and flexibility. Puppeteers represent Family Focus Services professionally while helping to deliver powerful, positive messages to children and the community.

An in-person team practice is scheduled almost every week, typically on Tuesday or Wednesday.

What You’ll Bring:

• Comfort performing in front of diverse audiences
• Creativity in bringing inanimate objects to life with voice, movement, and personality
• Flexibility to adjust performances based on audience engagement or technical issues
• Ability to work collaboratively with other puppeteers, directors, and staff
• Reliability in traveling to venues and maintaining performance schedules
• Care and responsibility in handling, maintaining, and storing assigned puppets

What You’ll Have:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Experience in theater, performance, or working with children is a plus, but not required

A Typical Day May Include:

• Learning and accurately performing your assigned puppet character
• Attending rehearsals and training to ensure quality performances
• Traveling with the troupe to schools, community centers, and other venues
• Delivering interactive and educational performances to children and community groups
• Maintaining communication with the Kids on the Block coordinator regarding scheduling or availability
• Caring for your assigned puppet between performances and using it only for approved program activities
• Representing the Barber National Institute professionally at all events

Perks with a Purpose

Our benefits are created with YOU in mind.

Healthcare

• Teladoc Virtual Health

Financial Well-being

• On-Demand Pay
• Employee Referral Bonus program
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• College Scholarship & Tuition Discounts
• Employee Discounts

Life & Family Support

• Erie Campus*- discounted on-site weekday childcare
• Employee discounts for select events and services
• Generous Paid Time Off

Who is Barber National Institute?

The Barber National Institute is a non-profit committed to its mission of providing the highest quality services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities or behavioral health challenges and their families. Since our founding in 1952, we have evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving more than 6,200 individuals annually with a wide range of educational, vocational, residential and behavioral health programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact HR. EOE

Any consideration of the background check will be an individualized assessment based on the applicant or employee’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job.