Tech and Media Activity Specialist (Education and Workforce TEP)

Intro/Program Description: Goddard Riverside is a well-established Manhattan community-based agency with an annual operating budget of approximately $ 50 million. Goddard Riverside is one of New York City's leading human service organizations meeting the basic needs of children, youth and families, homeless people, and older adults across Manhattan and New York City.


Purpose of Position: The Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP) provides structured evening and weekend programming for teens ages 13-19, offering recreational, educational, and enrichment activities designed to promote leadership, creativity, and positive youth development. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and collaborative projects, participants build social skills, confidence, and connections to their community. TEP staff work together to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where young people can explore interests, develop new skills, and celebrate their achievements.


The Tech & Media Specialist leads media and digital production programming for the Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP) by facilitating hands-on workshops in storytelling, audio and video production, digital media creation, and content development. This role supports youth participants in exploring media as a creative outlet while building practical skills in production, editing, and digital storytelling. The Tech & Media Specialist mentors youth participants throughout the creative process-from concept development and scriptwriting to recording, editing, and presentation-while fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Schedule: Sunday-Saturday (Varies), 20 hours per week (Seasonal)

Hourly Rate: $20.00/hr

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties:

Media Programming & Instruction

• Plan and facilitate media club meetings, workshops, and activities focused on digital storytelling and media production.
• Teach youth participants skills related to:
  • Storytelling and narrative development
  • Interviewing techniques
  • Video production and editing
  • Podcasting and audio production
  • Media scriptwriting and content formatting
• Guide participants in the use of media equipment, recording tools, and editing software.

• Support youth in developing creative concepts and assist with scriptwriting, storyboarding, and production planning.

• Provide constructive feedback to help participants improve their content quality and technical skills.

Creative Development & Youth Engagement and Positive Youth Development

• Encourage youth participants to explore different media formats, storytelling styles, and creative approaches.

• Foster a supportive environment where participants can experiment with new ideas and develop their own creative voice.

• Support youth in producing digital media projects including podcasts, interviews, videos, or multimedia storytelling.

• Serve as a positive role model and mentor, maintaining professionalism and encouraging youth leadership.

• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for youth participants ages 13-19.

• Serve as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, leadership, and respect.

• Support staff in implementing positive youth development and behavior management strategies.

• Address behavioral concerns and assist with conflict resolution while maintaining a supportive environment.

• Celebrate youth achievements and encourage participation in program activities and leadership opportunities.

Program Collaboration & Events

• Collaborate with other program specialists and instructors to integrate media activities across program areas.

• Organize opportunities for participants to showcase media projects through exhibitions, screenings, or community events.

• Assist youth participants in promoting their content through social media platforms, program communications, and community events.

• Coordinate guest speakers, media professionals, or industry representatives to share insights with participants when possible.

• Support the coordination of the Family & Friends showcase event, highlighting youth media projects and program achievements.

Program Evaluation

• Evaluate the effectiveness of workshops and media programming by gathering feedback from participants.

• Adjust workshop content and activities to improve engagement and learning outcomes.

• Participate in pre-program training, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

• Collaborate with program staff during daily check-ins and planning meetings.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of the Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP).

Program Operations & Facilities

• Maintain an inventory of media equipment, supplies, and software resources.

• Maintain a safe and organized workspace during media production activities.

• Assist with preparing program spaces for workshops and media production sessions.

• Assist in ensuring that program spaces remain safe, clean, and organized.

• Monitor recreational spaces and ensure proper care of equipment and materials.

• Support daily program setup and closing procedures.

• Ensure program activities adhere to organizational health and safety protocols.

Professional Development & Organizational Support

• Participate in pre-program training, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

• Remain available to work evenings and weekends as required by program operations.

• Be available for on-call support on days not scheduled onsite, as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of the Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP).

Communication & Program Reporting

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with participants, families, staff, and community partners.

• Support communication channels between youth participants, families, and program staff.

• Collect feedback from participants and staff to help identify opportunities for program improvement.

• Assist with preparing reports related to program activities, attendance, and participant engagement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations and participant success.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications

• Experience in culinary arts, food service, or culinary instruction.

• Experience working with youth or facilitating educational workshops preferred.

• Strong knowledge of food safety and kitchen sanitation practices.

• Ability to teach and demonstrate cooking techniques in an engaging and supportive manner.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for teens.

• Culinary training, certification, or relevant professional kitchen experience preferred.

• Food Handler's Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.

• Experience working in youth programs, community organizations, or educational settings preferred..

• First Aid and CPR certification preferred (or willingness to obtain).

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

• Ability to communicate information clearly, accurately, and professionally.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and youth participants.

• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse youth populations.

• Enthusiasm for mentoring and supporting teen development.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Highly motivated and committed to supporting youth development and the mission of the organization

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time while preparing food and facilitating workshops.

• Ability to lift and carry kitchen supplies, ingredients, and equipment up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to use kitchen tools safely, including knives, ovens, stovetops, and other cooking equipment.

• Ability to bend, reach, and move throughout kitchen and program spaces during meal preparation and program activities.

• Ability to actively participate in youth programming and supervise participants during cooking activities.

• Work is performed primarily in a community center kitchen and program facility.

• Position requires evening and weekend hours consistent with program operations.

• Work environment may include moderate heat, kitchen noise, and food preparation activities.

• Frequent interaction with youth participants, program staff, and volunteers.

• Staff must maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and hygiene standards.

• Position may involve supervising youth in both kitchen and classroom-style workshop environments.

• Ability to maintain active supervision of youth participants across multiple program areas.

• Ability to quickly respond to emergencies or safety concerns involving participants.

• Work is primarily conducted in a community center or program facility environment.

• Staff may supervise youth in classrooms, recreational spaces, kitchens, outdoor areas, and common areas.

• Position requires evening and weekend work, consistent with program hours.

• Staff may occasionally be exposed to moderate noise levels typical of youth programming environments.

• Requires frequent interaction with youth participants, families, and program staff.

• Staff must maintain professional conduct and positive engagement with youth at all times.

• Work may involve occasional travel within the facility, nearby program areas, and off-site to support activities and supervision.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.