Program Manager & Storyteller

TO APPLY: Send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to the Hiring Team at hello@frontlinecatalysts.org with the subject line: Program Manager & Storyteller.

DO NOT APPLY VIA THE LINKEDIN PLATFORM

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PROGRAM MANAGER & STORYTELLER

WHO WE ARE

Frontline Catalysts (FC) is an intergenerational organization rooted in youth-led programming that empowers frontline youth to lead the movement for transformative climate and environmental justice. Through our programs, we equip youth (ages 11–24) from frontline communities with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration to become environmental advocates, organizers, and changemakers.

Our programs are grounded in ethnic studies, environmental justice principles, and Indigenous wisdom, guiding youth from learners to advocates, organizers, and activists addressing climate and environmental justice challenges locally and nationally. We believe lived experience is expertise—and that art, culture, and storytelling (artivism) are powerful tools for organizing, narrative shift, and movement building. Our role is to create the conditions for those stories, analyses, and solutions to come alive and move people to action.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an experienced, confident, energetic, and creative Program Manager & Storyteller to join our small, dynamic, in-person team in Oakland, CA. This role blends program leadership, deep youth engagement, and communications leadership rooted in artivism and organizing.

This is not an entry-level role. The Program Manager & Storyteller will receive onboarding to FC’s values, programs, culture, and tools; however, onboarding is intended as an orientation—not training in foundational skills. The ideal candidate comes in with established experience running programs, working with frontline youth, and guiding communications with confidence and creativity.

We are looking for a “youth magnet”—someone who brings warmth, humor, and cultural fluency, and who helps young people feel seen, comfortable, and engaged because they deeply understand the lived realities our youth face.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Program Management

• Lead and co-manage the Frontline Voices program, including planning, facilitation, implementation, and supervision of staff.
• Contribute to program and operational leadership across all programs, including scheduling, budgeting, staff coordination, and documentation.
• Partner with the Executive Director and program managers to develop strategies, policies, and procedures that advance youth leadership toward advocacy and organizing.
• Support program staff, facilitate at school or community sites, and coordinate with external partners to strengthen programming.
• Track program outcomes and assist with evaluation to measure youth growth, engagement, and leadership development.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate culturally responsive curricula based in ethnic studies principles.

Storytelling & Communications (Artivism in Practice)

• Guide and support organization-wide communications in collaboration with staff.
• Capture and amplify youth voices and campaigns across media platforms, including FC’s website.
• Produce digital content—including videos, social media posts, newsletters, and youth spotlights—that showcases program impact and inspires civic engagement.
• Ensure storytelling reflects the culture, identity, and lived experiences of youth and their communities.
• Stay current on digital communications best practices to elevate FC’s impact.

Administration & Operations

• Assist with grant compliance, reporting, and progress documentation.
• Maintain accurate program records, attendance, budgets, and deliverables.
• Support onboarding and coordination of program staff and interns.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on operational and program initiatives.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a seasoned, self-directed leader who has worked closely with frontline youth and understands the responsibility—and joy—of holding space for their growth and leadership.

This role is best suited for someone who has lived, worked, or organized in low-income BIPOC communities.

Ideal Qualifications 

• 3–5 years of experience in program management, education, or youth organizing, with culturally and economically diverse populations.
• Demonstrated experience in digital storytelling, multimedia content creation, or communications, with a focus on youth engagement, movement building, activism, and Indigenous perspectives.
• BA/BS in Ethnic Studies, Environmental Education, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with youth ages 11–24 from low-income Black, Latinx, Indigenous, immigrant, and historically marginalized communities.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Skills/Abilities

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and communication skills, with the ability to convey youth-led advocacy, program impact, and Indigenous knowledge integration.
• Ability to balance program administration, strategy, and creative content production.
• Positive, culturally competent, and collaborative communication style.
• Ability to engage directly with youth in classrooms, community spaces, and outdoor learning environments.
• Passion for fostering youth agency, leadership, climate activism, and Indigenous knowledge integration.

THE POSITION

Title: Program Manager & Storyteller

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: $70,000–$75,000 (commensurate with experience)

Benefits: Healthcare, optional 401(k), Paid Time Off, monthly technology stipend

Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt

Work Location: In-person in Oakland, CA (remote work is not available)

Requirements: Fingerprinting, TB testing, and Covid-19 vaccines (limited exceptions: medical/religious reasons)

TO APPLY

Send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to the Hiring Team at hello@frontlinecatalysts.org with the subject line: Program Manager & Storyteller. Your resume tells us what you can do; your cover letter should tell us who you are, your experience with youth empowerment and being an effective storyteller, and why you want to work with FC.

Frontline Catalysts (FC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local labor laws, including those related to wages, hours, anti-discrimination, and reasonable accommodations. All hiring decisions are based on skills, experience, and ability to perform the job duties, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.