Youth Media Apprentice

Youth Media Apprentice

40x40 Youth Network — Content, Social Media, and Opportunity Desk

Pay

$20 per hour

Positions available

2

Hours

8-10 hours/week on average across 50 active weeks (about 400 hours total per position). Additional hours will be available for special assignments and field coverage, as well as other YouthBeat PRO projects.

Work site

KDOL-TV at MetWest High School, with travel within Oakland required for special assignments and field coverage

Employment term

Through the Rise East 40x40 Youth Network contract period, 1-year contract

Hiring

Rolling basis, starting immediately

Reports to

Network Managing Editor, with training and production oversight from the YouthBeat PRO Creative Director

Eligibility

• Must reside within East Oakland's 40x40 block area (from Seminary Ave to the Oakland–San Leandro border, from MacArthur Blvd. to the Bay)
• Ages 16–24
• US Citizen or eligible to work in the US
• Social Security Card & Valid Government Issued ID/DL
• Willing to enroll in WIOA and register with Selective Service (for males) as part of onboarding
• Have significant multimedia production/social media skills and experience

About the Role

YouthBeat is building the Rise East 40x40 Youth Network, a youth-led hub that connects East Oakland youth to opportunities, resources, and events, and tells the community's own stories in the process. The Network is one of three connected Rise East pillars, working alongside a resource navigation app and the Loop Bus exposure tours to help young people in the 40x40 understand what's available to them and how to take the next step.

As a Youth Media Apprentice, you'll be one of two paid youth staff running the Network's day-to-day content and communications. You'll help build a steady stream of trustworthy, youth-made content — verified opportunity listings, resource roundups, interviews, event coverage, and original stories — and you'll help decide what gets published, how it's told, and whose voices are featured. This is a paid, professional apprenticeship with real editorial authority, not a volunteer or shadowing role. This role is also an excellent opportunity for future growth, additional hours, and professional development within our media production business. 

What You'll Do

Content Creation

• Produce short videos, photo essays, interviews, graphics, and written posts covering opportunities, events, and youth perspectives in the 40x40.
• Edit and prepare Youth Correspondent submissions (interviews, footage, photos, written material) into finished, publishable content.
• Cover field assignments including Loop Bus stops, exposure tours, community events, and school stories.
• Produce a monthly digest summarizing upcoming opportunities, deadlines, and top youth stories.

Social Media & Community Hub

• Coordinate and publish content across the Network's designated social and digital channels on a consistent weekly cadence.
• Monitor and respond to community tags, direct messages, and submissions through the Network's intake channels.
• Track engagement, reach, and referrals, and use that data to inform what gets covered next.
• Help maintain the Network's editorial calendar and publishing schedule.

Opportunity Intake & Editorial Review

• Review incoming submissions from community members, partners, and residents offering opportunities, resources, or story tips.
• Verify each submission for accuracy, eligibility, cost, deadlines, and relevance to the 40x40 before it's published.
• Decide whether to publish an opportunity as-is, assign it for original coverage, archive it, or decline it, using the Network's editorial standards.
• Date-stamp published opportunities and remove or update listings once they expire.

Youth Leadership & Coaching

• Help shape the weekly story lineup, tone, and which community submissions or voices get featured.
• Support and coach Youth Correspondents on their monthly story assignments.
• Participate in weekly editorial meetings, ongoing coaching sessions, and portfolio reviews.
• Bring youth perspective to Youth Network Subcommittee check-ins and quarterly learning reviews.

What We're Looking For

• You reside within Oakland's 40x40 area (Seminary Ave to the Oakland–San Leandro border, MacArthur Blvd. to the Bay), and are between the ages of 16 and 24.
• You're very comfortable creating content on a camera or phone, and have some experience with basic photo/video editing tools.
• You use social media platforms regularly and have a sense of what makes content worth someone's attention.
• You're organized and can manage multiple submissions, assignments, and deadlines at once without losing track of details.
• You can exercise good judgment. Reviewing and verifying community submissions means making real editorial calls.
• You communicate clearly, in writing and in person, with community members, partners, and your team.
• You're curious and willing to learn new tools and skills quickly. If you've ever taught yourself something from a YouTube tutorial or a late-night Google search, you'll fit in here.
• You are a US Citizen or eligible to work in the US, and are willing to enroll (with assistance during onboarding) into the government Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act system and register with selective service for males 18-24.
• Prior experience with a mirrorless or DSLR camera, basic lighting, or audio equipment is a plus, but not required. Training is provided.

Physical Requirements

This role includes fieldwork and equipment handling. Apprentices should be able to:

• Lift, carry, and set up production equipment such as camera bags, tripods, and cases, typically in the 25–40 lb range.
• Stand, walk, and move around for extended periods during event coverage and field assignments.
• Travel locally within Oakland for interviews, events, and coverage, including some outdoor and varied-weather conditions.

Accommodations are available. If any part of this affects your ability to do the job, talk with us. We'll work with you to figure out what's possible.

Training & Support

• Approximately 10–15 hours of paid onboarding covering the Rise East 40x40 context, editorial decision-making, opportunity research and verification, interviewing, short-form storytelling, accessibility, safe online practices, consent, and the publishing workflow.
• A weekly 45-minute editorial meeting, ongoing production coaching, and individual check-ins as needed.
• Portfolio review and mentorship from the YouthBeat PRO Creative Director and Network Managing Editor.
• Meals and snacks provided at meetings, local transportation support for approved assignments, and scheduling built around school.