STEPS is seeking Documentarians to capture impactful public art this summer!

Position: Photo/Video Documentarians
Location: Toronto/GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
Duration: 4-month full-time contract (35 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Monday, April 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM Noon ET (Eastern Time)
Anticipated Start Date: Monday, May 15, 2023
Compensation Range: $20/hour

Who is STEPS Public Art?

STEPS envisions a world where artists and communities co-create meaningful, welcoming and safe public spaces. We are a Canada Revenue Agency registered charity that engages and empowers artists and communities to transform public spaces into vibrant places. Our team is composed of high-performing, highly ethical creative entrepreneurial innovators who truly care about their communities.

Staff are supported in their professional development through a combination of all staff and targeted individual development opportunities including but not limited to training, mentorship and external conference/event participation. Our open-concept waterfront office has natural light and ample room for physical distancing. Flexible working arrangement policies provide staff with remote working as well as alternative scheduling options.

Our main office is based in T’karonto, the Ancestral Wendat territory and the shared territory of the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee, covered by The Dish With One Spoon treaty, and later, Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. STEPS is committed to cultivating safe spaces for Indigenous voices to be heard. We invest in ongoing staff and Board learning related to equity, inclusion and accessibility topics; supports such as staff-led equity groups, among which include a BIPOC group as well as a Disability and Chronic Illness group to help foster an accessible and accommodating work environment for our team and stakeholders.

Who Are You?

We are seeking up to two (2) creative photographers and/or videographers based in the Toronto/Greater Toronto Area who love storytelling through the lens of a camera. Your strong organizational and problem solving skills allow you to thrive on each day being different, whether you are on-site capturing a public art production, emailing and scheduling interviews with artists, or storyboarding for the next visual project. If you are a team player, can thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to tell impactful public art stories shared across the country, we look forward to meeting you!

This role is partially funded by Canada Summer Jobs, a federal program aimed at creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, a person of colour, newcomer, Disabled and/or LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, allies, along with additional sexual orientations and gender identities).

The Opportunity

This role supports the visual documentation and storytelling of public art projects, community engagements, and the impact of art and placemaking initiatives by STEPS, artists, communities, and partner stakeholders across Canada. You are an emerging and creative photographer and/or videographer who is passionate about connecting with people and the arts through the lens of a camera, and creating visual joy through photos and videos. You have experience in capturing moments, experimenting with short and long-form visual content, and asking for feedback to continually enhance your creative practice.

This is a four-month full-time contract (35 hours per week) with ability to travel to public art sites and events in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for photo and video documentation.

Eligibility

This role is partially funded by Canada Summer Jobs.

Preference will be given to candidates who meet the following criteria established by the funder:

• Are no more than 30 years of age during contract period (born AFTER September 1, 1993)
• Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada

STEPS encourages applications from all qualified candidates who are legally able to work in Canada that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race and sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, a person of colour, newcomer, Disabled and/or LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, allies, along with additional sexual orientations and gender identities).

Responsibilities

• Capturing photo and video content for STEPS programs and projects in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
• Establishing consistent work hours with Manager and Coordinators. The Documentarian is expected to be available during regular work hours (Monday to Friday) for dedicated virtual/work from home days (e.g. editing, administrative tasks), and dedicated days for site visits while remaining flexible to changing timelines and deliverables (occasional weekends/evenings).
• Participating in organizational onboarding activities, professional development opportunities (e.g. workshops, mentorship), and necessary training and certifications for staff to participate in documentation opportunities with stakeholders (e.g. Vulnerable Sector Screening, First Aid Training). 
• Developing work plans and documentation briefs for key audiovisual deliverables, such as sizzle reels, interviews, short form/social media content, in collaboration with staff to ensure they will be received in advance of key communications deadlines.
• Liaising directly with project stakeholders (e.g. artists, clients, partners, community participants) to coordinate meetings on site as needed to facilitate interviews and work in progress footage.
• Conceptualizing new audiovisual ideas and producing high definition videos for use on web and social media platforms.
• Soliciting and incorporating feedback from STEPS staff on project deliverables in a timely fashion to ensure completion in advance of planned release dates.
• Editing, uploading and archiving with an agreed upon file naming convention for all captured images in both high and web resolution formats.
• Selecting up to 10 “Best Of” images per shoot to save in STEPS’ “Stock Images” or designated best images folder for easy access.
• Providing staff with audio files of stakeholder interviews for use in generating testimonials and impact metrics.
• Editing existing images and videos to produce new content for the organization.
• Working with staff to curate audio-video content from across programs that supports impact storytelling related to key goals of the organization. This may include a sizzle reel related to artist capacity building, public space revitalization, community engagement, etc.
• Supporting Engagement staff in creating and sharing video content on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Vimeo.
• Attending regular check-in meetings with STEPS staff and responding to emails and other correspondences with staff and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Exercising strong time management skills when scheduling on-site shoots, attending shoots on time, and meeting various deadlines across projects.
• Representing STEPS with professionalism when documenting projects on-site and communicating with stakeholders.
• Identifying and participating in new opportunities within STEPS to strengthen experiences in identified areas of interest (e.g. communications, social media, community engagement, public art, etc.). 
• Sharing feedback and implementing new project management workflows related to documentation, liaising with stakeholders, and experience within the organization.

We Think It’s Important That You Have the Following

• Education (including formal, informal and self-directed learning) or equivalent experience in photography, film, visual arts, creative industries, visual production or related fields.
• 1-2 year(s) of experience in video and photo production.
• Access to a professional-grade camera, computer and necessary equipment for photo and video production.
• Ability to shoot in manual mode (including thorough knowledge of aperture, manual focus, depth of field, and lens focal lengths).
• Ability to capture images in RAW and JPEG formats.
• Ability to capture and upload video material in MP4 and/or MOV format (minimum 1080p resolution and up to 2160p for 4K quality).
• Video editing experience with software (e.g. Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, etc.).   
• Proficiency in using photo editing software like Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Ability to colour-grade video and white balance image material.
• Knowledge of image formats, CMYK and RGB workspaces, video formats and web-based and print resolution for images.
• Ability to travel to project sites across the Greater Toronto Area (valid driver’s license is an asset).
• Ability to work effectively within a team and independently with exceptional problem solving skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends (no more than two evenings and two weekend days per month).
• Proficiency in Google Drive and video conferencing tools.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage a variety of different demographics and stakeholders.
• A commitment to meeting deadlines; the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and foster strong working relationships.
• Experience using social media platforms and creating short-form content suited for social media (e.g. Instagram Reels, TikTok) is an asset.
• Knowledge of portrait photography, architectural photography, event and commercial photography is an asset.
• Experience with creative and experimental forms of videography (e.g. drone work, time lapse, 360 virtual reality images) is an asset.
• Ability to create storyboards, visual briefs, framing shots and produce art directed creative video and photo projects is an asset.
• Access to additional equipment for photo and video production is an asset (e.g. sound equipment, microphones, tripod, wide lenses, lighting equipment, drone, etc.).
• Interest or experience in website design, graphic design or other creative mediums is an asset. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

*The application portal is now closed. Thank you for your interest in STEPS!* 

We invite qualified applicants to apply via the online portal by no later than Monday, April 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM Noon ET (Eastern Time).

If you require accommodations to apply for this opportunity, please send an email by Monday, April 10, 2023 with “STEPS Documentarian Accommodations” in the subject line to operations@stepspublicart.org.

Applications will not be accepted by email. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, we can only communicate with those shortlisted for an interview. Interviews are expected to start Thursday, April 20, 2023 and the anticipated start date for this role is Monday, May 15, 2023.

The hiring process will involve a short pre-interview skill assignment, one scheduled interview (questions will be provided in advance) and reference checks. This interview round will be facilitated by two members of our team via video conferencing.

Artist Credit: Shalak Attack
Photo Credit: Adam Ibrahim