Company Description YouthBeat is a media education and production organization that uses storytelling and digital media to expand opportunity for underresourced and underrepresented Oakland students. In partnership with Oakland Unified School District, YouthBeat provides a media career pipeline where young people learn to use industry-standard video, photo, and audio equipment while working alongside experienced professionals. Students gain technical skills, creative confidence, and a strong sense of voice, competence, and self-worth as they prepare for careers in a growing media field. YouthBeat fosters a supportive, family-like peer community and offers real-world, resume-building production experience through YouthBeat PRO, its fee-for-service production company. The organization is committed to equity, access, and high-quality, professional media work that benefits both clients and youth participants.
Role Description The Multimedia Teaching Artist is a part-time, on-site role based in Oakland, CA. This role involves planning and delivering engaging, hands-on lessons in video production, photography, and social media storytelling to middle and high school students. The Teaching Artist guides youth through the full creative process, including concept development, scripting, shooting, editing, and publishing content on appropriate platforms. Daily responsibilities include supervising equipment use, providing technical and artistic feedback, collaborating with staff to align curriculum with program goals, and supporting youth on client and internal production projects. The Teaching Artist also helps build a positive, inclusive classroom culture, mentors students in professional practices, and ensures a safe, respectful learning environment.
Qualifications
- Strong multimedia production skills in video and photo, including camera operation, lighting, and audio recording, with familiarity using industry-standard gear and software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Lightroom, or comparable tools).
- Experience creating and managing social media content (short-form video, photo stories, and basic graphics) across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with an understanding of audience engagement and digital storytelling.
- Demonstrated teaching, facilitation, or youth development experience, especially with diverse, underresourced communities; ability to design age-appropriate, project-based lessons and to support different learning styles.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills, including the ability to give constructive feedback, model professional conduct on set, and build trusting relationships with young people and school partners.
- Reliable organizational and time-management skills, including planning classes, maintaining equipment, and meeting production deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and creating inclusive, gender-neutral, non-discriminatory learning spaces.
- Availability for part-time, on-site work in Oakland, CA; ability to move and safely handle media equipment as needed.
