Location Scout (Volunteer, Ad Hoc)

Location Scout (Volunteer, Ad Hoc)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Storytelling & Media / Communications

Location: New York City

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people are seen, respected, and valued.

MAP’s visual storytelling often takes place across New York City. Choosing the right locations—safe, accessible, and visually meaningful—is essential to telling stories responsibly and respectfully.

Purpose of the Role

The Location Scout supports MAP’s video, photography, and storytelling projects by identifying safe, interesting, and appropriate locations across New York City. This role helps ensure that filming and creative work happen in environments that are visually engaging, logistically feasible, and aligned with youth safety and community respect.

This is an ad hoc role, supporting projects as they arise, while maintaining consistent communication and follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify safe, visually compelling NYC locations for filming and storytelling
• Consider accessibility, lighting, sound, foot traffic, and safety
• Share location options with photos, notes, and basic logistics
• Coordinate or research permissions when required (parks, public spaces, private locations)
• Communicate clearly with video, communications, and program teams
• Ensure all locations align with MAP’s youth-safety and consent standards
• Support last-minute or project-specific location needs as assigned
• Maintain organized records of scouted locations and permissions
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours

Qualifications

• Familiarity with New York City neighborhoods and public spaces
• Strong eye for environments that support visual storytelling
• Ability to assess safety, accessibility, and appropriateness for youth-centered work
• Comfort communicating with property managers, community partners, or city agencies
• Organized, reliable, and responsive
• Commitment to ethical, respectful, and mission-driven storytelling

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week, scheduled as projects arise
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• NYC-based role with occasional remote coordination

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience supporting real creative and media projects
• Portfolio-relevant location scouting and production experience
• Collaboration with video, communications, and creative teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to help shape where and how meaningful stories are told

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Short written summary (2–4 paragraphs) describing your interest, relevant experience, and familiarity with NYC
• Optional examples of locations you’ve scouted or photographed

Email materials to:

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Find spaces with care. Help stories unfold in places that feel right, safe, and alive.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.