Minneapolis Telecommunications Network

 Youth Media Instructor

 

Position: CTEP AmeriCorps Member
Program:  Community Technology Empowerment Project
Partner Agency: Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Location(s): MTN, 125 SE Main Street, Suite 244, Minneapolis, MN. 55414
Name of Site Supervisor and Title:  John Akre, Production Specialist/Instructor

CTEP Program Description

The AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for new Immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Join AmeriCorps CTEP and help make the information age accessible to all.  CTEP is a project of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN).

Site History and Mission

MTN serves the residents of Minneapolis with tools, programs, and activities to engage and connect diverse residents and institutions through the exchange of ideas, stories, and information. In this way MTN strives to build a vibrant democracy in which all share social, cultural, and economic vitality.

MTN began operations in 1984 with a mission to provide access to television broadcast equipment and to cable television channels for the diverse community. MTN’s mission centers on empowering communities to bring their own unique voices to cable television. We are committed to freedom of speech for all. MTN enables all citizens to exercise this freedom by providing basic television production training, and by airing all work that is created community producers on its cable channels.

MTN supports public access to media in three ways:

1. We provide training in the use of video, television and Internet technologies.

2. We provide direct community access to cable television channels.

3. We provide unique education and mentoring programs for young people in grades six through twelve.

Preferred Site Schedule for Member

MTN seeks a member to work primarily with our youth training programs. These programs work with young people from Minneapolis public schools and other youth-serving organizations. The primary responsibilities include acting as the lead instructor for the MTN/South High Video Voices program, a school-year-long video production workshop, and summer media camps.  MTN would be flexible about hours work but would need the reciprocal flexibility from a member as we schedule youth training according to the social service organization and school schedules.

In addition, members attend professional development days with their fellow CTEP members to enhance service-readiness skills, personal attributes in the workplace, and citizenship skills.  These Corps days take place twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM, and these trainings are mandatory.  Members also attend statewide AmeriCorps events, such as the Martin Luther King Day celebration, and/or serve on the statewide InterCorps Council.

Site Specific Responsibilities

  • Teaching youth media production with our youth training programs. These programs work with young people in Minneapolis and specifically with low income and new immigrant youth.  This includes providing support and instruction with the Video Voices program, MTN’s youth media partnership with South High School.
  • Doing outreach to creating similar partnerships with other diverse populations
  • Develop other youth programming models such as after-school programming
  • Lead trainer for Video Voices program
  • Organize and lead summer media camps
  • Assist with other youth media programs at MTN
  • Staff meeting attendance
  • Building capacity of the MTN Youth program

Unique Qualifications Sought

  • Interest in learning new technology
  • Understanding of the first amendment
  • Proficiency in Final Cut Pro and video production equipment

Site Environment

MTN is a community media center located in the St. Anthony Main building across the river from downtown Minneapolis.  Many of our employees and members bus, walk or bike to work.  We are community driven and technology focused.  We will need someone who embraces video production, social networking technology and the opportunity to work with our many diverse and interesting members.

How to Apply

Apply online at my.americorps.gov and click on “Apply to Serve” (be sure to enter 06ACHMN0010008-0 as the “Program Listing ID,” or search for the Community Technology Empowerment Project).  Contact: Joel Krogstad, joel@technologypower.org, 651.556.1384

We are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.  Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request.  Alternative formats of this document are also available.