Position Title: Media Lab & Creative Arts Mentor
About The House of Darla
The House of Darla (HOD) is a youth-centered nonprofit creating a safe space for youth to grow, lead, and thrive. Through programs such as Summer of Success, Art of the Heart, Fit & Fun, and Youth Leadership initiatives, we provide hands-on experiences that build confidence, leadership, wellness, creativity, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness for young people ages 14–24.
Position Overview
The House of Darla is seeking a creative, reliable, and engaging Media Lab & Creative Arts Mentor to help bring our media space to life while supporting youth development through music, media, storytelling, and creative expression.
We are looking for an individual who can help assess, activate, and support our Media Lab and recording booth while guiding youth through creative projects and hands-on learning experiences.
The ideal candidate may have experience in music production, audio engineering, beat making, podcast production, recording, media creation, performance arts, digital storytelling, or related creative fields.
Summer Project Vision
One of the primary goals of this position is to help youth create a meaningful body of work throughout the summer.
Projects may include:
- Original music recordings
- Beat production
- Podcast episodes
- Spoken word recordings
- Audio storytelling projects
- Artist branding concepts
- Digital portfolios
- Showcase performances
- Collaborative media projects
The selected individual(s) will help students move from idea to execution while building confidence, creativity, teamwork, communication skills, and professional habits.
Key Responsibilities
Media Lab Development
- Assess and help optimize the existing media room and recording booth
- Assist with setup and operation of recording equipment
- Recommend improvements or equipment needs when appropriate
- Support recording, editing, and production projects
Creative Arts & Media Mentorship
- Facilitate workshops and project-based learning experiences
- Guide students through music, beat production, podcasting, audio production, storytelling, and creative projects
- Support students in creating and completing a body of work
- Encourage creativity, collaboration, and self-expression
Youth Engagement & Program Support
- Build positive relationships with youth ages 14–24
- Support a positive, safe, and engaging environment
- Assist with activities, special events, showcases, and community experiences as needed
- Collaborate with staff, youth leaders, interns, guest speakers, and community partners
Preferred Experience
- Music production
- Audio engineering
- Recording and editing
- Podcast production
- BandLab, GarageBand, Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, or similar software
- Home studio or recording booth setup
- Performance arts
- Spoken word
- Content creation
- Media production
- Youth mentoring or teaching
Schedule & Availability
Program operates Monday–Thursday between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Availability may range from approximately 5–24 hours per week depending on expertise, project scope, program needs, and mutual fit.
Some individuals may support specific media projects or workshops, while others may take on a more consistent role throughout the summer.
Flexible Opportunities Available
We welcome applicants interested in project-based involvement as well as those interested in becoming a larger part of the summer team.
There may be opportunities to support:
- Media and music production
- Podcast development
- Youth showcases
- Creative workshops
- Broader youth engagement programming
- Future seasonal and project-based initiatives
Qualifications
- Must be 16 years or older
- Must be able to pass a background check
- Experience working with youth preferred
- Experience in music, media, audio production, podcasting, creative arts, or related fields strongly preferred
Compensation
1099 Independent Contractor Position
Stipend-based compensation determined by experience, expertise, availability, and scope of involvement.
Please include examples of relevant work, portfolios, music, podcasts, productions, performances, media projects, or creative content when applying.
Additional Opportunity
Opportunity for future seasonal, project-based, or ongoing involvement based on performance, organizational needs, and available funding.
At The House of Darla, we are looking for contributors, creatives, mentors, and forward thinkers who can help young people discover their voice, develop their talents, and leave the summer with meaningful experiences and work they can be proud of.
Benefits:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
