Community Organizer I/II
Position Title: Community Organizer I/II - Youth Team
Classification: Part Time/Full Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy, Lead Organizer
Pay Scale: $21.50 - $28.00 hourly (DOE)
Location: San Benito & South Santa Clara Counties
Benefits: Medical (including acupuncture and chiropractic), dental and vision
insurance, FSA, generous vacation, sick leave and holidays, 401k,
professional development opportunities and more.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND AND POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Youth Alliance (YA) focuses on building sustainable local change that transforms the systems, structures, and communities of families most impacted by harsh youth criminalization policies and practices, including the most marginalized in terms of health, juvenile justice, and education equity.
The Community Organizer I/II is responsible for building an informed base of Central Coast youth who are engaged in leading grassroots campaigns on behalf of their community and schools. The primary duties of an organizer include outreach and recruitment with youth, supporting youth leadership and organizing skills to analyze root causes and champion solutions, and representing in key coalition and leadership spaces. The Community Organizer works in partnership with the Youth Media Team to develop campaigns, initiatives, and opportunities pertinent to rural and marginalized young people, and cultivates the youths’ ongoing involvement in those efforts. A skilled Community Organizer helps to: Develop youth ownership and leadership over campaigns; collects, organizes, and distributes information/data about a project or effort within the organization; completes administrative and logistical tasks that contribute to a larger project or effort; provides some project coordination to move an area of work with regular support from their supervisor.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Outreach, Base-Building, and Relationship-Building
Learn, develop, and implement organizing strategies at the Youth Impact Centers and/or schools, recruit, sustain, and actively involve youth in YA's Youth Programs and the organization to achieve its mission, campaigns, and programs.
Co-create spaces with youth to foster leadership and organizing skills to understand and challenge systems of oppression. Using innovation and creativity such as art, dance, writing, and photography, the YO will challenge systems of oppression, conduct organizing, build awareness, and cultivate individual and collective healing in communities.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with school personnel (i.e., Principal, Guidance Counselors, and Teachers) and student leaders to inform them about the YA's mission and gain support for the Youth Programs and overall organization.
Participate in organizing events (door knocking, phone banking, etc.), actions, protests, meetings, retreats, and conferences/training to further YA programs and objectives.
Maintain consistent outreach to recruit new students throughout the school year by leveraging strategies such as presenting in classrooms, and facilitating and co-facilitating Jovenes Unidos (youth organizing team) Committee Meetings on campus or at the YIC’s.
Conduct weekly visits to each assigned site as determined by your supervisor.
Attend external meetings/spaces (eg, local, regional, or state coalitions, task forces, or movement-building efforts) and report back on content and next steps, as assigned.
Event and Program Logistics/Execution
Coordinate and plan well-attended and organized meetings that move programs forward.
Prepare organizing materials, such as flyers, letters, and posters, designed to ensure youth receive current information regarding meetings and community or school activities.
Support narrative change and community education by guiding the development of youth-centered organizing materials and collaborating with the Youth Media Hub Team
Create/execute logistics plans as assigned by your supervisor for youth events and activities.
Participate and provide logistical support for organization-wide efforts that foster our ability to recruit youth and broaden their involvement in the community.
Leadership Development and Political Education
Help deliver and co-facilitate training programs and materials as teaching aids on community organizing, social justice movement history, and leadership development techniques and strategies to develop the capacity of high school students to lead campaigns (as assigned)
Support youth participatory action research (YPAR) and public policy analysis on landscape and issues impacting youth.
Participate in multigenerational Organizing Training and ongoing political education around pertinent issues and campaigns to strengthen your ability to support members in their leadership and ownership of campaigns.
Involve youth and work with them 1:1 and in group settings to help develop their ability to recruit, inform strategy, and become spokespeople of key campaigns.
Assessment and Evaluation
Conduct daily tracking of base-building efforts for youth (i.e., attendance at organizing team meetings, coalition calls, and in-class presentations, calls made, confirmations for participation in organizing activities)
Develop and execute weekly, monthly, and quarterly work plans in collaboration with YA’s multigenerational staff and media teams
Maintain proper records of event agendas, meeting minutes, attendance rosters, leadership development plans, assessments, and other outreach plans.
Complete reports tied to members and activities, as assigned.
CORE COMPETENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
Entry-level candidates may be considered for this role if they demonstrate comparable skills, experience, and a deep commitment to supporting their community. An ideal candidate will have a track record of experience successfully organizing and helping to move a grassroots campaign. To be successful in this work, they will need to understand the educational, social, and economic landscape in the Central Coast/South Bay Area. Works diligently to articulate and apply the core values, mission, and purpose of the organization to their work
Continues to develop and demonstrate the application of basic organizing skills
Tracks, reflects, and assesses their base and the movement of campaigns
Proactively seeks to increase knowledge of the political landscape
Knowledgeable about impacted youth, immigrant families, and rural communities
Basic computer skills
Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team.
Values and Community:
A deep belief in the power and science of organizing, and respect and love for our stakeholders
Belief in YA's mission, approach, and core values, and a commitment to improving the social and economic conditions of residents in the Central Coast/South Bay Area
Humility and respect for the lived experiences of Central Coast/South Bay Area residents, and the ability to work with a diverse population.
Reflective and a lifelong learner and commitment
Strong work ethic and the highest level of integrity
Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills; willing to support team members as needed on the organizing team, youth engagement team, and across the organization for high-priority projects
Exemplary interpersonal skills, including the ability to identify needs, provide prompt responses, and exercise patience, respect, and professionalism in all interactions
Education: 4-year degree or advanced training or related experience
Benefits (*30+ hours a week only):
*Healthcare insurance options, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance policy, FSA (flexible spending account) and more!
*11+ PTO Days
*YA provides 3 additional "rejuvenation days" in December
*Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care
*Employee Assistance Program
11 Holiday Days
Yearly Staff Retreat/Team Building, Staff Appreciation events, and other YA Events
Customize your Work Schedule (dependent on supervisor approval based on positional and departmental needs)
Hybrid of In-Office and Remote Work (frequency of required in-person work is dependent upon the role)
Professional Development Assistance
Opportunity for Employee Referral Bonuses
To Apply:
To apply to this position, please send your resume and cover letter to careers@youthall.org with the subject line: Community Organizer I/II. Please note that only applications with cover letters will be considered.
Cover letters should address the following:
Your core values and what shapes them
Your interest in working in the Central Coast/Bay Area and Youth Alliance
Your experience and interest in the Community Organizer position
Youth Alliance | 310 Fourth St., Suite 101 | Hollister, CA 95023 | (831) 636-2853 or (408) 840-3685
www.youthall.org | www.facebook.com/youthall | www.twitter.com/youth4alliance
YOUTH ALLIANCE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and herein reiterates its policy of Equal Opportunity for all qualified individuals without distinction or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief.
Youth Alliance | 310 4th Street, Ste 101 Hollister CA 95023 (831) 636-2853
Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer