Serving Justice Youth-led Food Bus Coordinator

Position Summary

The Youth Justice Coordinator leads CALC’s Serving Justice Youth-led Food Bus Program, an innovative initiative that combines BIPOC youth leadership development, food justice, social justice education, and entrepreneurship. This position oversees the operation of CALC’s mobile Food Bus—a fully equipped food service bus that serves as both a small business and an educational program.

The Youth Justice Coordinator mentors youth participants in business skills, food preparation, and cultural food traditions while connecting them to social justice advocacy and community organizing. The position partners with local schools and partner organizations to mentor youth, support student leadership, and advance social, racial and economic justice in our community.

This role requires strong youth mentorship skills, program coordination abilities, and a commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.

 Key Responsibilities

Food Bus Program Management

• Coordinate and manage daily operations of the youth-led Food Bus program.
• Accompany the youth cohort in the development and implementation of a business plan for the food bus, including menu development.
• Train youth participants in the operation of a mobile food business, including customer service, food preparation, budgeting, and marketing. 
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food service regulations.
• Manage purchasing of food supplies and program materials.
• Coordinate Food Bus schedules, events, and community appearances.
• Track and document Serving Justice spending and income. Work with the youth and CALC finance team to develop monthly finance reports. 

Youth Leadership and Mentorship

• Mentor youth participants in leadership, teamwork, and professional development.
• Facilitate workshops on entrepreneurship, cooperative economics, and small business management.
• Teach youth how to plan menus and prepare culturally meaningful foods.
• Support youth in developing confidence, public speaking skills, and community engagement.

Social Justice Education

• Facilitate youth discussions and workshops on social justice issues including the history of social justice activism, the history of racism and discrimination in our country and community, and community accountability initiatives.
• Help connect the Serving Justice project and youth participants with youth-led advocacy projects.
• Connect youth with community organizers and justice campaigns.

School and Community Partnerships

• Work with local schools and youth organizations to recruit program participants.
• Build partnerships with educators, community organizations, and youth programs.
• Collaborate with community partners on events and projects

Program Development and Administration

• Track program participation, outcomes, and evaluation metrics.
• Assist with grant reporting and documentation related to youth programs.
• Coordinate volunteers who support youth programming.
• Develop systems to ensure safe, inclusive, and supportive youth environments.

Community Outreach

• Represent CALC/Serving Justice at community events, schools, and youth programs.
• Promote the Food Bus program through outreach and community engagement.
• Support fundraising efforts and public presentations related to the youth program.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, Spanish, youth development, community organizing, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience working with youth (specifically BIPOC youth) programs, community organizing, or youth leadership development. 

Skills and Competencies

• Strong mentorship and relationship-building skills with BIPOC youth.
• Experience facilitating discussions on social justice, equity, and discrimination.
• Program coordination and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with schools and community partners.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Commitment to social, racial, and economic justice
• Commitment to creating safe and equitable environments in which youth thrive

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods while working in food preparation environments.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds (food supplies, program materials).
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 25 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual skills.
• Experience managing BIPOC youth entrepreneurship or workforce programs.
• Food service experience or food safety certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience working with mobile food vendors or small businesses.
• Experience with restorative justice practices.

Physical Requirements Activity

Occasionally (12-33%)

Seeing (reading documents/computer use) - Regularly (67-100%)

Hearing (phone and in-person communication) - Frequently (34-66%)

Speaking (in-person and phone communication) - Frequently (34-66%)

Standing/Walking - Frequently (34-66%) 

Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling/Bending - Frequently (34-66%) 

Lifting up to 25 lbs - Rarely (0-12%)

Pulling/Pushing/Reaching - Frequently (34-66%) 

Fingering/Grasping/Typing - - Regularly (67-100%)