Summary

The HoopsHIGH Program Coordinator for FSM after-school programming has an important and wide-reaching role in the exciting world of Free Spirit Media. This dynamic individual must be part teacher, part live production expert, part ambassador, and part coach and mentor. To be successful, the HoopsHIGH Program Coordinator needs to be a team player, who can maintain focus, perspective, attitude, and attention to detail in a fast-paced, creative, and youth-driven environment.

Background

Free Spirit Media (FSM) is a non-profit organization based in Chicago that cultivates diverse youth voices to transform media and society. FSM partners with schools and organizations to provide project-based learning experiences and work force development to high school age youth. Participants develop creative, technical, and communication skills as they produce documentary and dramatic videos, public service announcements, sports telecasts, and other media projects. Please see www.freespiritmedia.org for more information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program/ Administrative Responsibilities

Implement media production and sports broadcasting programming, including enhancing existing curriculum and lesson plans, as well as teaching and instructing 15 youth participants (either Apprentice or Advanced crews) weekly; provide video and live production instruction for evening/ night game coverage.
Manage recruitment and retention of all youth participants.
Lead and support on all technology and equipment to ensure optimal learning and facilitation of lessons and game coverage.
Create and maintain youth development environment where youth receive technical, artistic, social, and emotional support.
Oversee new media and social media best practices for the program and posts to advance youth work in the field.
Coordinator and cultivate relationships with local media professionals to serve as guest speakers and field trip hosts.
Participate in FSM staff meetings and professional development trainings
Co-teach with collaborating instructor in program facilitation, working successfully with youth participants and community partners, and editing of final game for CAN TV weekly.
Partner with Chicago high school athletic directors and coaches to schedule game coverage, facility visits and access, and production approval.
Create and maintain a youth development environment where youth participants receive academic, artistic, social and emotional support, including proper media storage, equipment use, etc. (See below.)

Technical/Production Operations Responsibilities

Participate in care, set up/pack up, and management of broadcast and video equipment before and after games.
Oversee the upkeep and organization of the HoopsHIGH Studio space and equipment; Support in organization and maintenance equipment checkout and return system.

Troubleshoot live production needs before, during and after game coverage; Make recommendations for technology and equipment upgrades during the implementation of FSM’s strategic tech plan.
Lead and support partnerships with FSM’s other technology coordinators to ensure continuity of processes and inventory throughout FSM.
Assemble and support the collection and distribution of demonstration reels, program DVDs, exemplar’s for instruction, festival submissions, and other miscellaneous DVDs for distribution, as needed.

Qualifications, Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (BA) from a four-year college or university in a media or production, sports broadcast or comparable professional experience.
A minimum of three years working with high school or college-aged youth.
Basic knowledge of video production and post-production tools.
Advanced knowledge of sports broadcasting production including multi-camera shooting procedures and operations.
Excellent people skills working in a diverse environment.
Excellent organizational abilities and capacity to manage multiple projects.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, high level of computer literacy, and innovative thinking around social media practices.

Work Requirements

This is a full-time position. Hours may exceed 40 hours per/week.
Free Spirit Media is an equal opportunity employer. Ability to drive and/or own a reliable vehicle is strongly recommended.

How to apply

To apply, please e-mail resume, cover letter, link to online reel/portfolio, and salary history to:

FSM Human Resources | hr@freespiritmedia.org