NYSA Photography Teaching Assistant Intern (Unpaid)

Hybrid: June 2^nd – June 27^th

 In-person: June 30^th – August 15^th (must be able to work on Mondays)

Duration: June 2^nd – August 29^th

Position reports to: Lead Photography Instructor and Senior Producer, Content & Strategy

Details: Part-time, varied 10-20 hours/week

The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy (NYSA) is a six-week program focusing on preparing newly arrived refugee youth to succeed at their grade level in the New York City public school system. Up to 135 students from ages 5 – 21 from over 20 countries will participate in academic, creative arts, physical education, and life skills classes.

The Photography Teaching Assistant Intern at the NYC Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) office will support the lead photography instructor during a photography class for newcomer youth and a collaborative photo project of NYSA and IRC HQ. This internship offers an exciting opportunity to work directly with refugee and immigrant youth, helping them develop creative skills while learning the technical aspects of photography. The intern will assist in creating a positive, educational, and supportive environment where students can express themselves and document their personal experiences through photography.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Photography Class Duties:

•       Assist the lead photography instructor in facilitating weekly lessons, ensuring that students understand concepts such as camera operation, composition, lighting, and storytelling.

•       Provide one-on-one and small group support to students during class activities, helping them with camera settings, troubleshooting technical issues, and providing feedback on their work.

•       Set up and break down equipment (cameras, tripods, lighting, etc.) before and after each class. Support the preparation of class presentations or visual aids as needed and ensure that all necessary materials are available for each session.

•       Assist students with photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom), helping them enhance their images and learn basic editing techniques.

•       Organize and manage student portfolios, collecting and categorizing images. 

•       Accompany the group on photography field trips, providing supervision and assisting students with their photography projects in real-world settings.

•       Facilitate communication with parents and students about class updates, special events, or any issues that may arise during the program.

•       Help with translating written materials into different languages through a language service (training provided).

Collaborative Photo Project

•       Track progress on different parts of the project and communicate updates to the team.

•       Document project activities, behind-the-scenes moments, and events through photo and/or video.

•       Import, label, and organize project photos using software like Adobe Lightroom or Bridge.

•       Maintain an organized digital archive of project assets.

•       Provide one-on-one and small group guidance to youth participants involved in the project.

•       Help translate technical instructions in a friendly, accessible way.

•       Support language access (e.g., through interpretation, interpretation service or working with translation tools).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

•       Gain experience in photography education and mentoring, particularly in working with refugee and immigrant youth.

•       Develop skills in classroom management, lesson planning, and providing individualized instruction in a creative subject.

•       Build professional experience in an educational, nonprofit setting with a focus on youth development and cultural integration. Enhance planning and facilitation skills by supporting photography-based partnerships between IRC NY and other IRC departments.

REQUIREMENTS: Competitive applications will represent most/all of the following:

•       Must be based in US, must be a US citizen or have US work authorization.

•       Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or master’s program in Photography, Art, Design, Media Studies, or a related field. 

•       Minimum of 1 year of coursework in photography or visual arts (can include continuing education programs).

•       Minimum of 2 years of experience using DSLR cameras, either through formal education or selfdirected/personal projects.

•       Proficiency in Adobe Lightroom;  

•       Portfolio of 5–10 original images that demonstrate a strong understanding of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling.

•       Experience working with youth, particularly those from refugee or immigrant backgrounds.

•       Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with students and work collaboratively in a classroom setting.

•       Organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in managing class logistics and student work.

•       Fluency in written/verbal English required; preferred but not required fluency in any of the listed languages: Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Dari, Pashto, and/or Arabic.

•       Self-starter and team player.

•       Competency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google Apps (i.e. Google Drive), and Adobe Creative Suite. 

•       Willing to adhere to IRC intern and workplace policies.