YES supports under-represented Richmond residents as leaders with the skills, resources, and confidence to work toward a just society and a sustainable environment. Since 1999, YES has brought over 5,500 youth from Richmond and West Contra Costa County to Summer Camp, facilitated Family Camps for nearly 1,300 families and has evolved to become a well-established promoter of leadership and wellness practices reaching more than 500 West Contra Costa County residents each year through our Youth & Adult Leadership Pathways. Learn more at www.yesfamilies.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The YES Program Assistant is a full-time position that supports YES’s Youth Leadership Pathway (YLP), and Adult Leadership Pathway (ALP) program team with outreach, data entry, out-of-school and outdoor programming. They present at community events and build strong community partnerships to engage community residents in all of YES’s programs. They conduct effective outreach strategies to ensure that our outreach is equitable and that activities are well attended. They also track participant data pre and post programming, and support with out-of-school workshops and weekend outdoor programming as needed. They report to the Camp-to-Community Fellows Coordinator, and the Youth Leadership Pathway (YLP) Program Manager. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Support (70%) 

• Collaborates with the YES program team in the planning and implementation of YES youth and adult programs.

• Supports the tasks, and logistics of weekday, weekend, and overnight trips.

• Represents YES at community tabling events.

• Conducts effective outreach at schools, community hubs, and with other partner organizations that builds strong resident and community partnerships that bring in the diversity of the Richmond community into YES’s programs.

• Conducts follow-up with schools, partner organizations, parents/caregivers, and youth as needed.

• Uses nature-based, healing-centered, and Youth Development best practices that weave trauma knowledge and sensitivity when engaging with the YES team, participants, and their parents/caregivers. 

• Works collaboratively with youth and their families to overcome challenges and connects them to YES’s Wellness Specialist to help them navigate those challenges.

• Provides supervision, group management, and conflict resolution during programming activities by modeling teamwork, cooperative effort, and creative, peaceful resolution of conflict.

• Leads youth activities as needed during adult programming outings.

• Supports the program team with any programmatic related tasks as needed.

• Drive participants and/or gear to destinations within Richmond and up to 165 miles one-away in an agency-provided vehicle as large as a minivan or small SUV.  Outdoor destinations may include driving on winding or dirt roads. 

Administrative Tasks (20%) 

• Answers the main telephone line, and greets visitors as they arrive at the YES office.

• Populates, and maintains the Community Resource page on YES’s website with up-to-date and relevant information.

• Supports the program team with data entry as needed.

• Develops and maintains efficient systems for organizing and administering their work.

• Supports the program team with any related administrative tasks as needed.

Organizational Leadership (10%) 

• Committed to the organization’s vision, mission, and values and communicates YES’s strategic direction to staff, constituents, and partners.

• Actively participates in organization wide Equity, Inclusion and Diversity work.

• Attends staff meetings, participates in special projects, task forces, and actively contributes to the organization’s Strategic Plan.

• Participates in training programs related to professional development, leadership, non-violent communication, anti-Black racism, and other relevant areas.

• Engages in team meetings focused on promoting self-care and fostering connections.

• Participates in collaborative events and conferences that are relevant to their role and represents the organization effectively.

• Supports with one fundraising event annually with event preparation, set-up, clean-up, and/or staffing during the event. 

• Contributes content, such as program summaries and anecdotes, to communications and fundraising campaigns.

Physical demands

The position requires frequent use of computer and handwritten work; requires prolonged sitting or standing through the course of the workday; requires the ability to bend. The position also requires the ability to carry up to 30 lbs on backpacking trips and to hike or be on your feet for most of the day and may require you to sleep outside in inclement weather conditions. Applicants must be physically fit to hike and lead outdoor activities while maintaining the stamina to support others.

SKILLS/EXPECTATIONS

• Passionate about engaging youth and adults to deepen their connection with nature, and work with them as partners and foster a team approach.

• Experience or interest in leading activities that deepen connections with nature and in engaging youth and adults from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultural backgrounds.

• Group management skills and/or have prior experience working with youth in recreational, outdoor environments, academic, and/or social service settings.

• Experience camping or backpacking, and be comfortable outdoors in all types of weather, and with most outdoor activities.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. 

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, & PowerPoint), Internet (Google Calendar, Google Drive), and data entry platforms (Salesforce or equivalent). 

• Organized with rigorous attention to detail and organizational protocols. 

• Comfort and ability to communicate with parents/caregivers and other supports in young people’s lives. 

• Ability to represent YES well when working with community partners and participants.

• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Exercise professional behavior and sound judgment at all times and maintain appropriate boundaries with participants. 

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS 

• Bilingual in English & Spanish

• Familiarity with the Richmond community and/or other Communities of Color.

COMPENSATION 

This is a non-exempt full-time, 40 hours/week position. The hourly rate for this position is $21.55-$22.52.

YES offers a generous benefits package to all regular full-time employees that include:

• 100% medical, dental, vision coverage

• 403b retirement matching program

• 10 days vacation in the first year with incremental accruals thereafter, 10 days sick time, 12 holidays,  1 day paid time off for birthday.

• Paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day

• Fully paid 6-week sabbatical program after 6 years of consecutive employment

• Professional development opportunities.

TO APPLY