CUSD Student Internship - Athletic Digital Media Intern

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION 

CLASSIFICATION: STUDENT WORKER   

JOB TITLE: CTE STUDENT WORKER – ATHLETIC DIGITAL MEDIA INTERN

JOB LOCATION: VARIOUS

REPORTS TO: ASSIGNED MARKETING TEAM MEMBER

SALARY: UNPAID INTERNSHIP  

WORK CALENDAR: CUSD STUDENT CALENDAR 

Job Goal:

Are you a storyteller with a passion for sports? We are looking for a dynamic CUSD Athletics Digital Media Intern to help bridge the gap between the field and the fans. In this role, you won't just report scores—you’ll find the "heart" of our athletic programs by highlighting the human side of our athletes, coaches, and community.

The ideal candidate has a high capacity for sports coverage, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to maximize their hours by getting on the sidelines as much as possible.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as a CUSD student in grades 10-12
• Eligible to receive school credit for internship participation
• Passion for photography and visual storytelling
• Desired: Basic knowledge of cameras (DSLR or mirrorless) and/or photo editing software 
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn
• Reliable, organized, and able to follow instructions
• Satisfactory school conduct background check 
• Provide at least one letter of recommendation from a current CUSD teacher
• Must adhere to CUSD student dress code standards 

• Strong Writer: Ability to craft engaging, grammatically correct, and emotionally resonant stories.

•  

  Social Media Savvy: Proficiency in Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok, with an understanding of how to tailor content for each.
• Basic Photography Skills: Experience capturing action shots and candid moments (smartphone or DSLR).
• Professionalism & Reliability: Ability to act as a disciplined, professional representative of the athletic department when interacting with staff, parents, and the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Attend and cover practices, games, and community service events. The more athletics coverage, the better! We want to capture the full scope of the athletic experience across as many sports as your schedule allows.

• On-the-Fly Adaptability: Serve as our go-to reporter. This role requires the flexibility and willingness to say "yes" to last-minute or day-of requests to cover breaking sports stories or high-stakes games.
• Social Media Management: Provide real-time social media coverage for games and events. This includes live updates, score reporting, and engaging, spontaneous "behind-the-scenes" content.
• Storytelling & Journalism: Identify and pitch compelling narratives involving student-athletes, coaches, and teams. You will produce one long-form feature story per month (written article or deep-dive profile).
• Visual Content: Capture high-quality photography and short-form video at every event attended for use across digital platforms.
• Community Engagement: Document and promote the team’s impact off the field, specifically focusing on community service and volunteer efforts.

Commitment & Logistics

• Weekly Hours: 8–15 hours per week. While we require a baseline commitment, we highly encourage students with the interest and capacity to take on more hours.
• Schedule & Flexibility: Flexibility is absolutely essential. Sports schedules change rapidly. This role requires evening and weekend coverage, along with the adaptability to handle last-minute game-day asks or schedule shifts.
• Direct Supervisor: You will report directly to district Marketing and Communications with additional support from CUSD Athletics and the Site Athletic Director.
• Location: Seeking one intern at each secondary high school (ACP, BHS, CHS, CCHS, HHS, and PHS). The intern does not have to be a student at the high school (only a student at any CUSD high school.)

What You’ll Gain

• Portfolio Building: A robust, published collection of feature stories, action photography, and professional social media campaigns.
• All-Access Pass: Behind-the-scenes media access to home sporting events.
• Mentorship: Direct collaboration with the Athletic Director, school administration, and communications professionals.
• Experience: Real-world, fast-paced training in sports information, digital marketing, and journalism.

Internship Details:

• Unpaid internship for school credit
• Flexible schedule to accommodate school hours (after school, weekends, or summer)
• Mentorship, training, and evaluation provided in coordination with school requirements
• Opportunity to showcase work in a professional portfolio

CUSD Core Values:

Excellence in all we do. No matter how large or small, we value excellence in all parts of this organization. Excellence is a value, quality and our most important product. 

Equity and fairness in all things. Education is the great leveler, and we intend all our students, staff and patrons to have the opportunity, tools and ability to succeed and excel.  

Collaboration is an effective decision-making model as well as an effective morale enhancing model. 

Integrity is simply non-negotiable. Honesty, integrity, and reliability are the foundations of our organization. 

Efficiency is the essence of being a good steward of public trust. We are supported by our community because we continually demonstrate our ability to produce the very best by carefully using the resources available. 

Professional Qualities: 

• Respond to all internal and external customers, as it relates to position, in a prompt, efficient, friendly and patient manner  
• Function effectively as a team member  
• Be responsible, reliable and punctual  
• Be flexible and adaptable to change  
• Positively accept direction  
• Maintain courteous, cooperative working relationships with students, staff and parents  
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district  
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills  
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job  
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis  
• Be a positive role model for students  
• Work with a large cross section of people in a professional and non-judgmental manner  

Physical Requirements:

Positions in this classification often require physical actions like stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, and sitting. 

The job involves finger or manual dexterity, repetitive finger motion, speaking, hearing, seeing (with correction), and focusing ability. 

Employees may be exposed to travel, odors, dust, poor ventilation, workspace restrictions, and loud noises. 

The work may require lifting or exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently. 

Reasonable accommodation may be available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Note: 

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the school/department.