Role: Video and Media Support Internship
Location: Remote, with opportunities for travel to conferences/events
Reports to: Communication and Media Support
Job Type: Unpaid Internship
Duration: 1 year
Hours: 2 hrs per day (Mon-Fri, between 6am and 4pm PDT)
Vacation days: interns are entitled to 4 weeks of vacation time (20 work days) per 1-year term
Contract Renewal: If onboarded for this internship position, there is possibility for contract renewal after the dates of the internship have ended
WHO WE ARE:
The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization co-founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate and American psychologist Dr. Clancy Cavnar, based in Northern California and with strong ties to Brazil and Mexico. We promote reciprocity in the psychedelic community, and support the protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions. We advance psychedelic justice through curating critical conversations and uplifting the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in the field of psychedelic science.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are seeking a creative, curious, and socially conscious storyteller to join our team as a Video and Media Support Intern. This position will work closely with Chacruna’s Media Team to support the creation, editing, and distribution of multimedia content aligned with our mission. From crafting short-form videos that capture the heart of our events and interviews, to exploring new trends in multimedia storytelling, you’ll contribute to content that uplifts diverse voices and sparks meaningful dialogue. You’ll also help preserve Chacruna’s growing media archive, ensuring our history remains accessible and relevant. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about the intersection of psychedelics, social justice, and media to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic, mission-driven environment—while engaging in deeper questions about the role of video in knowledge-sharing, cultural preservation, and community building.
COMPETENCIES:
- Genuine enthusiasm for Chacruna’s mission, values, and focus on psychedelics, social justice, and Indigenous reciprocity
- Familiarity with the contemporary psychedelic landscape and its cultural, political, and ethical dimensions
- Experience in video production, digital storytelling, or multimedia content creation
- Proficiency with or willingness to learn video editing tools (e.g., CapCut, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut); knowledge of After Effects, Photoshop, or similar tools is a plus
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple video projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Attention to detail in editing, file management, and formatting across platforms
- Ability to follow visual branding guidelines and ethical standards in representing sensitive topics
- Clear and timely communication, including collaboration with remote teams
- Familiarity with social media platforms and trends, especially Instagram and YouTube
- Basic understanding of content analytics (e.g., audience engagement, reach, watch time) is a plus
- Self-motivated and proactive, with a positive attitude and creative mindset
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving, and collaborative work environment
DUTIES:
- Help shape the way psychedelic culture is seen and understood through compelling visual storytelling.
- Organize, tag, and archive video assets for easy retrieval and long-term use
- Review and select the most powerful moments from events, interviews, and conversations for broader audiences.
- Edit and transform footage into short, captivating videos that inspire, educate, and spark dialogue.
- Collaborate on creative concepts, storyboards, and scripts for social media, educational, and campaign content.
- Perform post-production tasks (color correction, audio balancing, motion graphics, etc.)
- Research and identify emerging trends in video, media, and psychedelic culture to inform our storytelling approach.
- Add subtitles, captions, and on-screen text for accessibility and engagement
- Create short-form promotional videos (e.g., Reels) for Psychedelic Culture and Chacruna events
- Search for and curate royalty-free or Creative Commons footage and assets
- Design and animate text effects, lower thirds, and transitions
- Upload content to Chacruna’s platforms (YouTube, Instagram, etc.) and monitor performance metrics
- Transcribe and time-stamp videos for subtitling, publications, and archival purposes
- Contribute fresh ideas to our monthly multimedia content calendar, ensuring our videos remain ahead of the curve.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
Minimum:
- High school diploma or GED.
- Preferred 3 years of demonstrated experience working in communications and event production roles on a cross-functional team.
- Experience working in cause-related issue areas, nonprofit organizations and/or charitable causes, either on staff or in a volunteer role.
Expectations:
- Applicant must be currently enrolled in school or participate in a similar educational program.
- This internship is educational in nature, and there is no guarantee or expectation that the internship will result in employment.
- The education received by the Intern from the internship is for the express benefit of the Intern.
- A certificate of completion will be awarded at the end, given that all parameters are met.
Opportunities for professional and personal growth:
- Inspirational Talks from Psychedelic Experts – this is a program offered internally for the Chacruna staff which would be accessible to Chacruna interns
- Scholarship opportunities for Chacruna’s offerings such as courses, workshops, and events
- One on one mentoring with a Chacruna board member or another expert in Chacruna’s network – this mentor would be someone whose work is relevant to the career path/goals of the intern and would provide guidance and advice for professional growth
- Hosting of a Chacruna Community Forum – this would be an opportunity for the intern to open and introduce forums, which would provide visibility and an opportunity for a speaking engagement which can be added to the intern’s CV
- Creation of a special newsletter
TO APPLY:
Please send your Resume/CV and cover letter to positions@chacruna.net
You can read testimonials from our previous interns here.