Podcasting & Music Specialist in Carpentersville, Illinois at Boys and Girls Clubs of The Northwest Suburbs

The Podcasting & Music Specialist is responsible for planning, delivering, and overseeing engaging podcasting, media production, music creation, storytelling, and digital communication experiences for middle and high school-aged youth members. Through hands-on content creation, audio production, music development, interviewing, and storytelling, the Specialist helps members develop communication, creativity, leadership, technology, and workforce readiness skills.

The Podcasting & Music Specialist creates opportunities for members to share their voices, tell meaningful stories, explore current topics, compose and produce original music, and develop media production skills while preparing for careers in communications, broadcasting, journalism, music production, marketing, and digital media.

Prepare Youth for Future Success

• Actively and collaboratively engage as a team member with Impact Center staff to meet program goals.
• Demonstrate leadership to meet conduct, safety, life, and employability skills development goals of members.
• Plan, prepare, and administer assigned daily Impact Center Member Experiences and Activities while providing supervision of high school-aged members.
• Prepare written experience plans detailing activity purpose, materials required, step-by-step process, and life and employability skills addressed.
• Deliver Club program objectives consistent with organizational goals and mission.
• Record daily attendance of members participating in activities.
• Ensure members are encouraged to participate in impactful experiences and receive instruction and constructive feedback to develop skills.
• Recognize and celebrate members' positive behavior, creativity, effort, and accomplishments.
• Continually evaluate experiences and ensure activities respond to member interests, needs, and cultural diversity.
• Serve as a positive mentor and role model with a sincere interest in member success.

Podcasting & Media Specialist Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate podcasting, storytelling, broadcasting, and digital media experiences.
• Teach members how to develop podcast concepts, research topics, create content, and structure episodes.
• Instruct members on interviewing techniques, communication skills, public speaking, and storytelling.
• Teach audio recording, editing, mixing, and production techniques using industry-standard software and equipment.
• Guide members in creating and publishing podcasts and other digital media content.
• Support members in developing leadership, collaboration, and project management skills through media production projects.
• Coordinate guest speakers, interviews, and community storytelling opportunities.
• Introduce members to careers in broadcasting, journalism, communications, marketing, media production, and digital content creation.
• Manage podcasting equipment, recording spaces, and media production resources.
• Ensure content aligns with organizational standards and promotes positive youth voice and engagement.

Music Development Responsibilities

• Design and deliver music creation experiences that introduce youth to songwriting, beat-making, and music production using digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as GarageBand, BandLab, or similar platforms.
• Guide members in exploring music theory fundamentals — melody, rhythm, harmony, and song structure — in accessible, hands-on ways connected to genres they enjoy.
• Facilitate original music recording sessions where members write, perform, and produce their own tracks, jingles, or podcast intros/outros.
• Integrate music production with podcasting by teaching members to create original background music, sound effects, and audio branding for their shows.
• Introduce members to music industry careers including music production, sound engineering, audio post-production, music licensing, and artist management.
• Organize music showcases, listening parties, or open-mic events where members share original compositions with peers, families, and community members.
• Connect music development to storytelling by exploring how soundscapes, scores, and song lyrics convey emotion and narrative.
• Collaborate with local musicians, producers, or music educators as guest instructors and mentors for youth.
• Teach responsible and creative use of samples, loops, and digital instruments while introducing concepts of copyright and music rights.
• Maintain music production equipment, instruments, and software, ensuring resources are ready for member use.

Additional Responsibilities

• May oversee podcast launches, music showcases, media showcases, live recordings, field trips, community storytelling projects, and special events.
• Participate in implementation of other Impact Center activities as necessary.
• May be required to drive the Impact Center van periodically.
• Responsibilities include cleaning and maintaining the Impact Center, podcast studio, recording equipment, common areas, organizing supplies, and preparing activity spaces.
• Any other assigned duties.

Skills & Traits

• Passion for media production, music creation, storytelling, communications, and youth development.
• Experience or interest in podcasting, music production, broadcasting, journalism, or digital media.
• Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) or willingness to learn platforms such as GarageBand, BandLab, or Audacity.
• Coachable, adaptable, and flexible team attitude.
• Excellent organization and self-management skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to recognize and reinforce positive youth behavior.
• Creativity and enthusiasm for helping youth share their voices, stories, and music with the world.

Organizational Values

• Innovative & Adaptable: Embracing change and creativity.
• Resourceful: Finding solutions and staying informed.
• Coachable: Being open to feedback and growth.
• Accountable: Taking responsibility and building trust.