ABOUT NOVAC
NOVAC believes in the power of storytelling, and cultivates creative and economic opportunities for storytellers. Through education, workforce development programs, youth media, artist services and public events, we ensure that everyone has access to technology, careers and stories that empower communities.
COMMUNITY CREW UP
COMMUNITY CREW UP is NOVAC's program to connect locals around the country with opportunities on set. In Louisiana, we provide access to on-set experiences and paid opportunities, and around the country, we partner with HBO, Warner Bros and Turner Broadcasting to find diverse talent interested in working behind the scenes in some of Hollywood's most engaging and inclusive production environments.
Organizational Summary
The New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) is the Gulf South’s longest-operating media arts nonprofit. We believe storytellers empower communities, so we empower storytellers. NOVAC’s work centers on three pillars: youth media education, film/TV industry workforce development, and independent filmmaker services. NOVAC works across Louisiana, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Position Summary
The Equipment Inventory Specialist is a part-time contracted position requiring approximately 4–6 hours per week and reporting directly to the Executive Director. This role manages NOVAC’s production equipment inventory, checkout systems, equipment organization, and basic technical support for staff, program participants, and community filmmakers.
Key Responsibilities
Equipment & Inventory Management
- Maintain an accurate inventory of computers, cameras, lighting, audio, accessories, drives, and other film & video production equipment on all inventory lists, including NOVAC’s internal master inventory spreadsheet and Booqable.
- Keep the equipment room organized and distinguish between internal-use and rental/checkout inventory.
- Identify needed repairs, replacements, accessories, and future purchases.
- Review equipment donations and determine whether items are usable and appropriate for NOVAC’s needs.
- Support the organization and management of physical media drives.
Equipment Checkout
- Maintain and update NOVAC’s Booqable equipment management system.
- Manage weekly equipment checkouts and returns
- Manage and maintain NOVAC’s Equipment Rental calendar
- Inventory, inspect, and reorganize returned equipment weekly .
- Maintain clear checkout procedures for internal programs and external users.
Technical & Community Support
- Provide occasional equipment demonstrations for staff and program participants.
- Help ensure users understand the safe and appropriate use of NOVAC equipment.
- Support efforts to increase community awareness and use of NOVAC’s equipment services.
- Help collect occasional photos, footage, or testimonials demonstrating how equipment access supports community filmmakers.
Qualifications
- Based in New Orleans.
- At least three years of relevant technical or production experience.
- Working knowledge of computers, cameras, lighting, audio, and essential film/video production equipment.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Comfortable learning and managing digital inventory and booking systems.
- Strong computer and digital literacy, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
- Self-directed, dependable, flexible, and able to manage responsibilities with limited supervision.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Compensation & Schedule
This is a part-time contracted position averaging 4–6 hours per week at $35–$40 per hour. NOVAC offers a flexible working environment.
Job Title: After School Photoshop Instructor
Job Type: Part-time, temporary
Location: New Orleans, LA
Reports To: Media Education Director
Compensation: $30–$35/hour, depending on experience
Dates: November/December 2026–May 2027
Hours: Approximately 10–11 hours/week during the semester, plus paid pre-semester planning and onboarding
Position Summary
NOVAC is seeking an experienced digital media educator and/or graphic designer to teach our Spring 2027 Graphic Design for Film with Adobe Photoshop after-school class for students in grades 8–12.
This 15-week, project-based course explores the role of graphic design in film and media. Students use Adobe Photoshop to create original film-inspired work, including movie posters, promotional graphics, title cards, pitch materials, and digital artwork.
The instructor will be provided with NOVAC curriculum, course resources, and support from the Media Education Director, but is responsible for planning and delivering engaging, well-prepared lessons aligned with course goals and Adobe Photoshop certification objectives.
This is a credential-bearing course. The instructor will be expected to take the Adobe Photoshop certification exam before the semester begins and prepare students to attempt the certification exam as part of the course.
Spring 2027 Schedule
Family Orientation: January 19
First Day of Class: January 21
Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00–7:00 PM, in person at NOVAC
Instructor Onsite Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30–7:00 PM
Mardi Gras Break: February 4, 9 & 11 — No Class
End-of-Year Show: May 6
The instructor is expected to attend Family Orientation and the End-of-Year Show.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum Planning & Preparation
Before Family Orientation, the instructor will:
- Participate in NOVAC instructor onboarding and curriculum orientation
- Review NOVAC's existing course curriculum, projects, and instructional resources
- Draft a semester scope and sequence/class schedule outlining the progression of lessons, projects, certification preparation, and major deadlines
- Revise and finalize the scope and sequence with the Media Education Director
- Complete the Adobe Photoshop certification exam before the first day of class
Once classes begin, paid preparation time includes:
- Developing a detailed agenda for each class session
- Preparing instructional slides, demonstrations, examples, and other classroom materials
- Creating and posting assignments and resources in Google Classroom
- Reviewing and grading student work
- Providing students with feedback and tracking progress
- Preparing students for the Adobe Photoshop certification exam
Preparation is a paid and expected part of this position. Instructors are expected to arrive 30 minutes before the start of each class for classroom setup and preparation. Session agendas, instructional materials, demonstrations, slides, and Google Classroom assignments should be prepared in advance of arrival.
Instruction & Student Support
- Teach two 3-hour after-school classes each week
- Facilitate project-based instruction in Adobe Photoshop, graphic design, and visual storytelling
- Teach Photoshop skills and workflows aligned with Adobe certification objectives
- Support students with a range of prior experience, including beginners
- Create a welcoming, youth-centered classroom environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving
- Support students in developing original portfolio work
- Prepare students to attempt the Adobe Photoshop certification exam
- Support students in selecting and preparing work for the End-of-Year Show
Classroom & Administrative Responsibilities
- Take and submit attendance for each class
- Maintain grades and student assignments in Google Classroom
- Participate in regular classroom observations and debriefs with the Media Education Director
- Communicate student progress, concerns, or support needs to the Media Education Director
- Participate in regular check-ins with the Media Education Director
- Communicate anticipated absences as early as possible so NOVAC can arrange coverage
- Follow NOVAC youth safety, classroom, equipment, and program policies
Qualifications
Required:
- Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop
- Experience in graphic design, digital art, photography, visual media, or a related field
- Experience teaching, mentoring, or working with middle and/or high school-aged youth
- Ability to explain technical and creative concepts clearly to beginning learners
- Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills
- Ability to plan lessons, manage deadlines, and provide constructive feedback on student work
- Willingness to take the Adobe Photoshop certification exam prior to the start of class
- Ability to work effectively and respectfully with youth from a broad range of backgrounds
- Successful completion of required background screening for working with minors
These qualifications build on NOVAC's previous youth instructor expectations around Adobe fluency, youth experience, communication, organization, and working effectively with young people from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred:
- Adobe Photoshop certification
- Previous experience teaching Photoshop or graphic design
- Experience developing lesson plans or project-based curriculum
- Professional experience in graphic design, film/media, photography, or a related creative digital media industry
- Familiarity with Google Classroom
Time Commitment & Compensation
This is an hourly position. NOVAC pays instructors for both instructional and preparation time. During the semester, instructors should expect approximately 10–12 paid hours per week, including:
- 7 hours onsite: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30–7:00 PM, including 30 minutes of classroom setup/preparation before each class
- Approximately 3–4 additional hours per week: lesson planning, creating slides and Google Classroom assignments, grading student work, and other instructional preparation
Additional paid hours will be scheduled before the semester for onboarding, curriculum planning, certification, and Family Orientation.
Compensation: $30–$35/hour, depending on experience.
This structure is consistent with NOVAC's previous practice of explicitly allocating paid time for lesson preparation in addition to instructional hours.
Pre-Semester Planning
Because instructors are expected to begin the semester prepared to teach, this position includes paid planning and onboarding before classes begin.
The anticipated timeline is:
- November 2026: Hiring and onboarding
- November–December: Curriculum orientation, Adobe Photoshop certification exam, and scope and sequence development
- December 18: Draft scope and sequence due
- December 19–January 5: NOVAC closed for Winter Break; no work expected
- January 6–15: Finalize scope and sequence, prepare Google Classroom and instructional materials, and complete initial lesson preparation
- January 19: Family Orientation
- January 21: First day of class
The semester scope and sequence must be reviewed and approved by the Media Education Director before Family Orientation.
To Apply
Please submit:
- Resume
- Brief cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant teaching and/or professional experience
- Portfolio or examples of creative work
Application Deadline: October 28, 2026
Interviews: November 4-6
Anticipated Start Date: Late November/Early December 2026
Video Editing Pre-Apprenticeship
An intensive hands-on training for young people interested in pursuing a career in video editing. Meant to expose students to professional post-production workflows and deepen media literacy, NOVAC’s video editing pre-apprenticeship provides over 150 hours of training exploring two genres of editing; documentary, and commercial.
Each participant is eligible to earn up to $1,400 in stipends over the course of the program: $800 for successful completion of required coursework, project milestones, and program participation, and $600 for completing up to 40 hours of a paid internship. Stipends are dispersed in waves based on completion of established program milestones rather than as a single payment.
Portfolio Projects
- Commercial
- Documentary
Schedule
Delivery Mode: Hybrid
Location: NOVAC (4422 S. Carrollton Ave.)
Schedule: 150+ hours of training from January to April
- Orientation: January 6-8 (10-6pm, in-person)
- Commercial Project: January 11-15 (10-6pm, in-person)
- Soft Skills: January 20, 26, February 3 (4-7pm, virtual)
- Doc Project : February 22-March 5 (10-6pm, in-person)
- Soft Skills / Technical: April 7, 14, 21, 28 (4-7pm)
- May-June Internships, schedules vary
Program Eligibility
- Ages 17-24
- Resident of Southeast Louisiana
Timeline
Sep 16: Application goes live
Oct 14: Virtual Information Session (5-6 pm)
Oct 28: Application closes
Nov 20 + 30 + Dec 1: Applicant Interviews
Dec 10: Accept / Reject Notifications
*see schedule for a list of important dates
Program Commitment
- Attend Required Orientation (Jan 6-8)
- 80% Attendance
- 80% Coursework
Questions about the program? Please email Julia at mediaprograms@novacvideo.org