The Mississippi Youth Media Project, which is part of the nonprofit Mississippi Journalism and Group alongside the Mississippi Free Press, is seeking a contract program manager to oversee and coordinate YMP’s summer 2024 program, which launches in early June. This year’s YMP’s paid roster of 12 to 15 students will work full-time (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in MFP and YMP’s downtown newsroom in Capital Towers. This summer’s working theme, which they will shape into their own journalism through journalism and community engagement, is “A better and more equitable way to cover politics and elections in Mississippi.”

The new program manager will bring a strong track record of working with teenagers in a project-based learning environment and preferably teaching experience. The program manager will work with program co-founder and executive editor Donna Ladd and Photo Editor and YMP program coordinator Imani Khayyam to complete final planning for the summer project and recruit a final roster of students (age 15-17) from schools throughout the Jackson metropolitan area. You will also coordinate contract coaching, help plan the final summer programming and oversee the day-to-day operations of the project as well as a followup final event. Journalism experience is helpful although not required. This contract position requires a person who enjoys a fast-paced learning environment and values the need for journalism that facilitates dialogue and engagement to all members of our community.

The contract program manager must be available full-time from early June until late July. YMP will close the week of July 4. Students will meet three weeks before that week and another three weeks after it. We will also ask the successful candidate to attend planning sessions in May.

Contract pay for the program manager starts at $10,000 and is negotiable depending on teaching and youth-program experience. Please send a resume and a short cover letter to executive assistant Erica Hines at erica@mississippifreepress.org if you’re interested in the contract position.

The Mississippi Journalism and Education Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or veteran status in any area of its operations.