New Voices Are Rising Youth Program Lead

About the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment  

For 30 years, the Rose Foundation has supported grassroots initiatives that inspire community action to protect the environment, community health, and people’s rights. Our community-based grantmaking approach has earned national recognition for building grassroots power for conservation and social justice causes, and our New Voices Are Rising (NVR) youth leadership and environmental stewardship program works to uplift and prioritize youth leadership in BIPOC communities that have been most impacted by social and environmental injustice. 

Position Summary 

The NVR Youth Program Lead manages the planning, execution, and evaluation of the NVR Summer Climate Justice Leadership Academy and school-year Fellowship program. They design curriculum, lead student engagement activities, recruit and mentor program participants, oversee temporary summer staff and school-year Fellows, and manage all logistics including classroom activities and field trips. They also coach students in developing individual workplans in a collaborative process that involves student Fellows, POD (Peer-On-Duty) Leaders, and Summer Youth Co-Coordinators. While some program activities are remote, this is primarily an in-person position which requires significant time in the Oakland office or in the field with students. 

The Rose Foundation values a diverse team whose lived experiences inform their relationship to social justice and community equity work. We encourage BIPOC folks to apply, as well as candidates who identify as women, femme, non-binary, or LGBTQ . We encourage candidates who are comfortable conversing in Spanish, or another language commonly spoken in California communities of color, to apply. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

The responsibilities of the NVR Youth Program Lead include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Program Management and Student Engagement (60%)  

• Ensure the successful annual completion of the NVR Summer Climate Justice Leadership Academy and school-year Fellowship program.  
• Develop recruitment materials and recruit and onboard youth participants to both the NVR Summer Academy and school-year Fellowship program. 
• Coordinate all program logistics, including confirming event venues, guest speakers, virtual meetings, food, printing materials, etc. 
• Develop and coordinate the New Voices Summer Climate Justice Leadership Academy, a hybrid, six-week environmental justice intensive summer academy for East Bay and Bay Area youth.  
• Lead the process of developing/updating the overall Summer Academy curriculum arc, including weekly themes, daily lesson plans, and field trips. 
• Coordinate with community-based Summer Host sites and manage student engagement with sites during the NVR Summer Academy. 
• Lead the planning and implementation of hybrid school-year Fellowships, including drafting expectations and collaboratively designing capstone projects with youth that meet requirements of funding commitments.  
• Mentor school-year Fellows in the completion of environmental justice projects.  
• Coordinate opportunities for Fellows to engage with public agencies and community groups in work to advance environmental justice.  
• Coordinate Summer Academy and Fellowship youth for any social media engagement activities.  

Administration (20%)  

• Assist the NVR Program Director in creating and implementing impact evaluation processes, including collecting and reviewing data for program improvement and funder requirements. 
• Incorporate input and feedback from Fellows, POD Leaders, and other students to enhance program design.  
• Track sign-in sheets collected during recruitment events, workshops, town halls, or other community activities and record recruitment data.  
• Track program activities to ensure timely progress towards completing overall program goals, specific grant deliverables, and other commitments as needed.  
• Track budget expenses and documentation.  

Community Engagement (10%)  

• Support the NVR Program Director in establishing and maintaining partnerships with community groups.  
• Attend meetings and advocacy events when student participation is involved and support the NVR Program Director in maintaining a Rose Foundation presence where appropriate.  

Participate in and Strengthen Organizational Initiatives (10%)  

• Strengthen the NVR team as a whole, including participating in activities that develop and strengthen the entire NVR team, and linking students with overall Rose Foundation programs and activities.  
• Support all-hands-on-deck organizational projects. 
• Promote the organizational mission and join in the stewardship of organizational well-being. 

Qualifications 

• 3 years experience educating youth, coordinating youth programs, or in leadership development.  
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice issues and familiarity with East Bay communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution. 
• Experience with curriculum development and program planning and evaluation. 
• Experience coordinating event and community outreach logistics. 
• Experience working with queer youth and youth of color.  
• Experience managing project budgets a plus. 
• Enthusiasm for engaging with community members, and comfort with facilitating groups of people.   
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Applications and learning a variety of new software applications. 
• Comfort in working in Excel and/or with data sets.  
• Bachelor’s degree with relevant focus (ex. Education, youth development, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental education, etc.) or equivalent experience.  

Additional Job Requirements 

• Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, based on student activities, agency, and partner scheduling constraints.  
• Ability to physically lift and carry 25 lbs. 
• A valid drivers license. 
• Use of a car as needed. 
• Ability to work at a computer seated or standing for up to 8 hours a day. 
• Passing a background clearance is required. 

Salary, Hours, and Benefits  

The NVR Youth Program Lead is a regular, full-time (40-hour a week), exempt, at-will position. Annual starting salary range for the position is $72,000 - $78,000 depending on experience. The Rose Foundation offers excellent benefits including fully paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employee and dependents; paid sick leave that exceeds California standards; generous vacation and paid holidays; Flexible Spending Accounts; and 401k with employer contribution.  

While there will be many day-to-day activities that can be conducted remotely, this position will require significant time in the Oakland office or in the field with students based on program needs. Organizational normal hours are 9:00am-5:00pm PT, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening or weekend hours will be required depending on program meetings and events. 

Position is open until filled, with a priority review date of June 30, 2026. 

The Rose Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.