Youth Engagement Lead

Youth Engagement Leads are responsible for interviewing and engaging with the youth we work with - with the ultimate goal of working together to create a high-quality, strengths-based, personalized adoption recruitment video.Youth Engagement Leads Shoot Leads are critical in the production of each child’s video shoot.

This position reports to the Production Manager and works closely with the Shoots Manager. 

COMPENSATION:

  • This is an ‘as needed’ hourly position that pays $30/hour (includes shoot and any travel to/from). 

*For multi-shoot days and/or overnight trips, Shoot Leads can bill up to 14 hours. The remaining 10 hours are blocked off - from arrival to departure from lodging accommodations - for evening/morning meals and rest.  

  • For reels that require extended or overnight travel, flight tickets, rental vehicles, hotel or similar accommodations, and meals are all covered by The Reel Hope Project. We adhere to the Federal Per Diem lodging and meal rates specific to each state. 

  • Mileage (calculated from the beginning of the contractor's home) is reimbursed in keeping with the IRS rate of .70/mile.

  • TRHP offers a AAA benefits policy.

  • Benefits do not apply. 

FREQUENCY: 1-8 shoots/month

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead up to 8 shoots/month, in one or a combination of our focus states 

  • Travel with videographers to meet kids and their social work teams

  • Interview youth; help to engage and encourage their personalities

  • Display flexibility and patience during interviews or activities; pivot accordingly as plans change or youth require specific accommodations; always maintain a positive attitude and focus on capturing the youth’s best side

  • Engage positively and comfortably with a wide variety of youth spanning in age (toddler to young adult), developmental level, maturity, physical and mental abilities, faith, political background, gender identity, ethnicity, etc.

  • Speak into a wide variety of footage throughout the duration of each shoot (interview, b-roll and action) i.e. creating artwork, dancing, skateboarding, jumping at a trampoline park, interacting with other people or animals etc.

  • Represent The Reel Hope Project in building relationships with location hosts, social workers and child welfare staff on video shoots

  • Adhere to TRHP’s program policies on shoot days

  • Maintain the privacy and dignity of all involved; exercise wisdom and caution in modesty around youth footage

  • Submit a ‘Shoot Summary’ to the team after each shoot

  • Submit text for each child’s ‘Thank You’ card after each shoot

  • Attend quarterly check in meetings with Production Manager

  • Attend annual review with Production Manager and Director of Operations

  • Complete onboarding process, inclusive of a brief trauma training, overview of TRHP shoot policies, and project management tool training (monday.com). 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • 3+ years of experience working with youth who have experienced trauma/loss strongly preferred; applicants with teaching, youth leadership, or special education backgrounds strongly encouraged to apply

  • Those with lived experience (adoptees, adoptive parents, foster care parents, previous foster youth, and/or family members of foster youth) are encouraged to apply

  • 2+ years nonprofit experience preferred, but not required

  • Strong interpersonal skills (able to connect well with a small team, social workers, site hosts, and foster care youth)

  • Strong commitment to protecting the privacy standards for foster care youth

  • Adaptive, flexible, and patient in high stress environments

  • Collaborative, open to team and/or social worker feedback, and able to understand The Reel Hope Project brand

  • Detail oriented and committed to excellence

  • Work collaboratively on a small team in a remote, long-distance setting

  • Able to think creatively and anticipate needs before they arise

  • Able to move quickly and keep pace with youth while they engage in a variety of activities on shoot day (trampoline parks, arcade games, playing on a playground, fishing etc).

  • Able to lift 25 lbs

Interested? Send the following to info@thereelhopeproject.org: 

  •  Resume

  •  Two References (one personal and one professional)

  •  A 4-5 minute video of yourself answering the following questions. Any format is fine - whatever works for you!  

  1. What interests you about working with children in the foster care system? 

  2. Tell us about a time when you de-escalated a child or teenager who was dysregulated. 

  3. What do you think kids in foster care need most from adults they’ve just met? 

  4. What interests you about working for a faith-fueled organization, and what role does faith play in your life? 

  5. Why is this role a good fit for you in this season of your life? 

We can’t wait to meet you!

Apply