About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.
Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.
Position Overview
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director, Government and Community Relations (with support from the Managing Director, External Affairs), the Youth Advocacy Manager, will support the Digital Equity initiative to raise visibility and support from elected, civic, and community leaders for Para Los Niños’ mission and work.
The Youth Advocacy Manager will collaborate with program staff and external partners to build a pipeline of youth advocates in support of Para Los Niños’ Digital Equity Initiatives. This is a great opportunity for a dynamic, experienced, creative, and thoughtful leader who can lead advocacy initiatives and build strong, lasting systems to support them.
Duties
The Youth Advocacy Manager will perform a broad range of duties including:

• Monitor the Digital Equity Advocacy landscape and research data, policies, and processes of relevance to digital equity.
• Lead, design, and implement PLN’s youth advocacy digital equity program and council and develop goals, as well as short term long-term advocacy strategies.
• Lead the youth advocacy and engagement with coalition members and external partners.
• Assist with the implementation of strategies and engagement toolkits to equip students to be knowledgeable and effective digital equity advocates.
• Develop, support, and lead a cohort of youth from organizations across Los Angeles to engage community leaders and local, state, and federal policy makers regarding digital equity.
• Meet with youth, caregivers, and families to promote digital equity advocacy and programs.
• Conduct/facilitate presentations through informational meetings, teach-ins, retreats, workshops, etc., to build understanding and greater alignment to the Digital Equity Initiative.
• Represent PLN in working groups and coalitions to ensure young people’s experiences and needs of youth are uplifted.
• Work with the communications team to update external and internal communications (newsletters, social media, etc.) to reflect PLN’s advocacy activities.
• Prepare drafts of letters, testimonies, comments, legislative updates, action alerts, and background materials for internal and external audiences.
• Evaluate progress and measure effectiveness toward reaching established goals to further refine strategies in successive efforts.
• Provide weekly update to External Affairs Team.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• Commitment to Para Los Niños’ core values and mission.
• Knowledge of urban school environments, early education, youth workforce services, and other policies that impact our programs.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-layered organization and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including educators, school leaders, other school-based and home office staff, civic leaders, and elected officials.
• Proficient communication skills: Ability to write memoranda, create reports and facilitate meetings.
• Data fluency: Expertise in designing/evaluating both canned and ad hoc reports.
• Goal Setting: Understanding of outcome-based performance and process for determining key metrics.
• Ability to work independently, and coordinate multiple large projects through planning, prioritizing, and multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Database Experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience in policy and advocacy.
• Experience working with legislative staff and elected officials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license plus ability to provide own transportation to complete travel requirements of job.
• Minimum 1-3 years of professional experience, preferably in the non-profit sector and/or with a volunteer program Education Requirements.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Special Requirements

• Work schedule requires occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.

COVID-19 Vaccine required for all employees

• Must have all required vaccinations, including influenza and Covid-19.

Physical Requirements
To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand, and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

• Candidates for employment at a Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:
• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.