About RYSE

RYSE is a safe and welcoming center for diverse West Contra Costa youth (ages 13 to 21) that seeks to build youth power and leadership towards the larger vision of personal and community health and transformation. Grounded in social justice values and principles, RYSE provides comprehensive and holistic programming and promotes multi-racial, cross-cultural relationships. RYSE opened its doors in October 2008, and features programming and services across areas of community health; education and career; juvenile justice; media, arts & culture; and youth leadership and organizing.

In 2019 RYSE launched RYSE Commons, a youth-designed expansion project to deepen our presence as a cultural, health, and resource hub for West Contra Costa County. RYSE Commons reflects the dreams, vision, and support of young people, their families, and the larger community. To learn more please visit rysecenter.org/rysecommons.

Overview of Program Area

With RYSE’s mission statement as its mandate, the Youth Power Building Department offers programming that strengthens young people’s leadership and organizing skills to support them to be advocates for change. The Youth Power Building Department enacts base-building strategies, provides organizing and political education training, elevates youth voices and visions through storytelling, leads and supports youth-led organizing efforts and leads and engages in local, regional and statewide policy and base-building coalitions. The primary role of the Youth Power Building Department is to cultivate a vibrant youth organizing culture in Richmond/West Contra Costa that ensures that young people serve as key stakeholders and decision-makers on issues and policies impacting their individual and collective well-being, and to enable the structure, functions, policies, and programs that enliven RYSE as a Liberation/Resilience Hub.

Job Summary

RYSE is seeking an energetic, experienced individual to implement and coordinate RYSE’s

Youth Power Building Programming, in partnership with members, staff, and community partners. The ideal candidate can run direct programs with young people in areas of their content expertise, supervise staff and interns, manage program subcontractors and program partners in areas, both listed and potential. The ideal candidate will actively engage with other departments for collaborative programming. The Youth Power Building Manager reports to the Director of Programs & Organizing.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Coordinate and implement youth power building programming in areas of leadership development, political education, advocacy and organizing, voter/civic engagement and outreach/base building;
Develop youth-friendly social justice, campaign and leadership skill-based curriculum;
Work with members, staff, partners, and instructors to implement regular and consistent on-site programs, as well as topical, timely, and/or thematic programming, events and activities – includes serving as the lead for coordinating training series and youth leadership institutes;
Co-develop and advise on youth generated campaigns and advocacy efforts that are in-service to RYSE’s mission and Theory of Liberation;
Co-coordinate seasonal voter engagement activities including phone/text banking, voter registration drives, door-to-door canvassing and community outreach;
Work with program team across all departments to provide healing-centered programming and ensure sanctuary and healing for RYSE members;
Support center-wide crisis intervention and response efforts, as determined;
Work with and supervise youth organizing program staff and interns to implement, adapt, document, and assess programming;
Conduct outreach to community partners, schools, local agencies and systems, and others as determined;
Participate in and present at community and coalition related events, meetings and conferences by representing RYSE and elevating youth voice (local, regional, statewide and national);
Serve as a liaison between our youth organizing partners and coalitions and RYSE’s communications team;
Support advocacy and evaluation work as determined;
Develop and maintain Youth Power Building curricula;
Actively support, partner, and steward all that is Youth Power Building.

General Responsibilities for all RYSE Staff:

Participate in staff development opportunities, meetings, and retreats;
Maintain weekly work plan and calendar and utilize Asana to track project assignments and task activities;
Utilize Slack for team communications across the organization;
Submit monthly reports and complete program data entry;
Support at organizational events;
Regular check-in meetings with department and direct supervisor;
Support center-wide culture building and crisis intervention and response efforts.
Ability to work in a staffing structure that requires fulfilling work directives and direction from peers as well as the direct supervisor.

Qualifications include, but are not limited to:

Minimum 3-5 years experience in youth development &/or organizing (required);
Skilled in facilitation and training outreach/base building (required);
Experience working in campaign development and implementation, civic/voter engagement, or related fields;
Experience in program management and supervision;
At least 3 years of experience working in a fast-paced multicultural youth environment;
Commitment to social, racial and economic justice;
Knowledge of issues facing low-income youth in Richmond, West Contra Costa and the larger Bay Area;
Ability to work effectively with organizational allies, schools and elected officials;
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary, integrated team;
Strong organization, oral/written, interpersonal, communication skills: ability to manage time, meet deadlines, work well independently and in a team-oriented setting, and set priorities in a multi-task environment;
Computer literacy: word-processing, excel charts, graphics/layout programs, Google Apps and other work-related applications;
Social media literacy, especially Facebook and Instagram;
Must be willing and able to work during member hours evenings and occasional weekends;
Drivers license and access to a reliable automobile (with at minimum, liability insurance);
Bilingual – English & Spanish a plus;
Curriculum development experience is a plus;
Willing to adapt scope and responsibilities as needed to effectively achieve RYSE’s mission and best serve the priorities, need, and interests of members;
Must be fully vaccinated, booster included (when applicable).

How to Apply:

We will be reviewing resumes on an ongoing basis until the position is filled; however, we would like to have this position start by or before September 1, 2024.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to jamileh@rysecenter.org, with the subject: Youth Power Building Manager.

Please do not embed your resume and cover letter in the email, it will not be reviewed.

RYSE Youth Center jobs

Youth Power Building Manager