Policy & Advocacy Youth Programs Lead

At the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), we are dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change.

The Youth Programs Lead plays a crucial role in the Policy and Advocacy department of the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI). They work closely with the Policy & Advocacy Senior Manager to develop and implement programs, curricula, and educational initiatives focused on empowering youth and amplifying their voices on important social justice issues. The Youth Programs Lead is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with youth, community, and organizational stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives and needs are incorporated into SJLI’s policy agenda and advocacy efforts.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Program Implementation:

●  Design and facilitate educational workshops, trainings, and programs on topics related to social justice, activism, policy, and civic engagement.

●  Manage youth advisory councils or leadership programs, providing platforms for young people to share their experiences and perspectives.

●  Develop youth-focused content, toolkits, and resources that make complex policy issues accessible and engaging.

●  Organize and facilitate community events and activities to educate and engage youth on social justice policy issues.

Outreach and Partnership Building:

● Identify and engage with youth-serving organizations, student groups, and community organizations working on issues impacting young people.

●  In coordination with the Policy & Advocacy Senior Manager, participate in youth and community-serving coalitions and collaboratives on SJLI’s behalf.

●  Foster strong relationships with these partners to gather input and build coalitions for policy change addressing youth concerns.

●  Attend relevant conferences, events, organizing efforts, activations and forums to represent SJLI and build relationships with key youth stakeholders.

●  Develop and disseminate educational materials to raise awareness about SJLI’s youth-focused policy priorities and initiatives.

Program Management:

●  Lead the Youth Justice Fellowship and Urban Advocates programs in coordination with the Policy and Advocacy Senior Manager, developing curricula, facilitating workshops, and managing program operations.

●  Recruit, train, and coordinate youth volunteers to assist with outreach efforts, events, and campaigns.

●  Collaborate with the policy and advocacy team to ensure youth perspectives are incorporated into SJLI’s policy initiatives and advocacy strategies.

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Management:

●  Collect and analyze data on youth engagement efforts, including event attendance, volunteer participation, and feedback from youth participants.

●  Prepare regular reports on youth programs and outreach activities, achievements, and areas for improvement, sharing insights with the Policy and Advocacy Senior Manager and the broader policy and advocacy team.

Coordination with Other SJLI Departments:

●  Collaborate with the policy and advocacy team to ensure youth perspectives are incorporated into SJLI’s policy initiatives and advocacy strategies.

●  Coordinate with other SJLI departments to support the development and dissemination of policy and advocacy materials and resources.

●  Support the organization in creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

●  Proven experience in youth development, youth programming, or youth advocacy initiatives.

●  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and build trust with diverse youth audiences.

●  Strong understanding of social justice principles, youth development best practices, and issues impacting young people.

●  Knowledge of social justice issues and a passion for promoting equity and youth empowerment.

●  Proficiency in using technology for outreach, communication, and data management.

●  Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently when required.

●  Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.

●  Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

●  Proficient with technology platforms, including Microsoft Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, Social Solutions, and other relevant software.

●  Demonstrated commitment to SJLI’s goals, guidelines, and principles.

●  Ability to maintain confidentiality.

●  Valid CA Driver’s License and ability to obtain live scan clearance.

●  Availability to work weeknights and weekends as needed.

●  Ability to build relationships with a diverse range of constituents, including

parents, students, staff, leadership, and other community stakeholders.

●  Strong collaboration skills in a team environment.

●  Capability to operate in a productive team atmosphere.

●  Familiarity with Los Angeles County policy and advocacy landscape.

●  Experience working with youth from a social justice development perspective.

Qualifications Summary:

●  Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, ethnic studies, psychology, social welfare, or a related field.

●  Experience: 3 – 5 years in a similar non-profit organizing role.

●  Knowledge: Familiarity with Los Angeles County policy and advocacy landscape

Core Competencies:

At SJLI, we believe that how we approach our work is just as important as what we achieve. The following core competencies reflect the values, skills, and mindsets that are critical for success in the Youth Programs Lead role and throughout our organization. These competencies guide our hiring decisions, inform our performance evaluations, and shape our professional development efforts. We seek candidates who demonstrate strength in these areas and a commitment to continual growth and learning.

Team Member Competencies:

●  Growth Mindset: Demonstrates a willingness to learn, adapt, and improve continuously in response to evolving youth needs and social justice landscapes.

●  Mission Driven: Shows a strong commitment to SJLI’s mission and values, integrating them into all aspects of youth programming and advocacy work.

●  Communication: Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills, adapting style to various audiences including youth, community partners, and stakeholders.

●  Ownership: Takes responsibility for youth programs, outcomes, and stakeholder relationships, showing initiative and follow-through.

●  Cultural Humility: Demonstrates respect and openness to diverse perspectives and experiences within the youth communities SJLI serves.

●  Workload Management: Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages time to meet deadlines and achieve program goals.Equal Opportunity Employer:

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• SJLI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
• Candidates are encouraged to share how they have demonstrated potential in these competencies through their educational, volunteer, or work experiences. SJLI is committed to supporting the ongoing development of these competencies through mentorship, training, and hands-on learning opportunities.

The physical demands and work environment for this position are consistent with those of a typical office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations:

The Youth Programs Lead must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to anti-discrimination laws, labor laws, and laws governing non-profit organizations. The Youth Programs Lead must also adhere to SJLI’s policies and procedures, including those related to ethics, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest.

Background Check and Clearances:

Employment with SJLI is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and any required clearances or certifications, such as criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, or professional licenses, as applicable to the position.

At-Will Employment:

Employment with SJLI is on an at-will basis, meaning that either the employee or the organization can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified by applicable law or a written employment agreement.

Compensation – $32.69 per hour