Teaching Assistant: Filmcraft 101 (Middle School), Fall 2025

Job Title: Teaching Assistant, Filmcraft 101 (Middle School), Fall 2025

Reports To: Director of Education

About Us: The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) gathers audiences, students, and filmmakers to experience the joy of film, and to learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other. As a nonprofit cultural and educational institution located in Pleasantville, NY, the JBFC is dedicated to presenting the best of independent narrative, documentary, and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. Learn more about the organization at burnsfilmcenter.org.

Position Objectives:

The Jacob Burns Film Center is seeking a Teaching Assistant to be part of the team of educators at its Media Arts Lab. The Teaching Assistant for the course Filmcraft 101 (Middle School) will support the Course Co-Instructors and work closely with students in Grades 6-8 once a week, leading them through collaborative filmmaking projects and discussions. These creative projects will include filming and editing short films or scenes, and will emphasize peer feedback, and collaboration.

The Teaching Assistant will be responsible for signing in and dismissing students, helping to focus and prepare the class, and will support students throughout the filmmaking process. They will retrieve and help assemble any necessary class equipment, help prepare spaces, and break down and clean up at the end of class. They will also foster a fun, collaborative, and empathetic environment.

Responsibilities:

• Guides and supports creative media-making projects focused on filmmaking under the supervision of the Course Co-Instructors.
• Coordinates class equipment, space, and material needs.
• Supports students’ creative use of equipment and software.
• Sets up and breaks down classroom studios.
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment for students.
• Monitors students as necessary.
• Records attendance and facilitates student sign-out.
• Communicates with Course Co-Instructors regarding individual student needs, weekly plans, and the maintenance of a safe, fun, and educational class environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Experience working with children or young adults.
• Experience in film production.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Applicants Should Demonstrate the Following:

• Leadership and initiative in guiding students to create group success.
• Interest in film and/or arts education.
• Flexibility to work as a member of a creative team.
• Comfort working with different learning styles and personalities.
• Ability to multitask and problem-solve.
• An outgoing and energetic personality.
• Basic technical knowledge of computers.
• Experience using Adobe Premiere or other equivalent software.
• Experience assembling and using basic film equipment (cameras, tripods, boom mics).
• Experience with the pre-production, production, and post-production process.

Ideal Applicants Would Have:

• Experience working as part of a film set.
• Experience working in a classroom structure.
• Love of teaching.

Term: September 24—December 10, 2025

Hours:

• Wednesday, September 24, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, October 1, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, October 8, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, October 15, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, October 22, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, October 29, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, November 5, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, November 12, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, November 19, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, December 3, 3:30pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday, December 10, 3:30pm-7:00pm

Compensation: $18.00-$20.00/hour

Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org with “ Teaching Assistant, Filmcraft 101 (MS) Fall 25” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.

Unsure if you should apply? Research indicates that some candidates are less likely to apply if they do not meet 100 percent of the listed qualifications. If this is you, and you believe you would excel in this position, we strongly encourage you to submit your application. We are actively recruiting candidates with diverse work experiences, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, and abilities. We believe all work experience has value, and are fully considering all applicants with a strong desire to help us fulfill our mission, including candidates who are making career-focus shifts or returning from employment gaps. Please use your cover letter as an opportunity to express your interest in JBFC’s mission and programs, and how you envision yourself contributing as a member of our team.

Our organization participates in the E-Verify Program.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring and employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic predisposition and/or carrier status, disability, age, religion, marital status, national origin or citizenship status, veteran status, or any other classification as protected by law. We hire and promote individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions to be filled. Please inform the JBFC if you need any assistance with the instructions provided to participate in our application process. Questions and concerns may be directed to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.