Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator - Eastern Coachella Valley

Youth Leadership Institute (yli) builds communities where young people and their adult allies come together to create positive community change that promotes social justice and racial equity. For over 20 years the Youth Leadership Institute has sparked the leadership of young people to solve pressing social issues and serve our communities. yli’s community-based programs are located in San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Merced and the Central Valley, Long Beach, and the Eastern Coachella Valley. In addition to serving 7 California counties, yli provides customized trainings, consulting, evaluation, and technical assistance services nationally.

yli is committed to engaging and developing young people of color, low-income youth, and other non-traditional youth as researchers, advocates, and agents of social change. With support from yli staff and through authentic partnerships with other key adult allies, young people build the skills necessary to research the issues that most affect them and their communities, develop campaigns to advocate for change, and partner with local stakeholders to implement these
changes in their respective communities.

PRIMARY FUNCTION
The Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator works in partnership with the Program Coordinator to support youth (ages 14-25) to organize, empower, and mobilize youth and their communities to win real improvements for Riverside County young people. The Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator will complete extensive training, recruit youth
participants, host community engagement activities and contribute to the development and dissemination of mental health resources and content This role will involve substantial outreach, relationship-building, and collaboration with local mental health providers.

The Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator is responsible for supporting all of the logistics and functional tasks necessary for meeting the goals and objectives of the assigned campaigns, and for ensuring that the young people are experiencing high quality and culturally relevant leadership opportunities. The Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator will work to support the ECV CARES, CVEC, K-12 Advocacy, youth participatory action research (YPAR) initiatives and supporting community education/awareness outreach efforts.

The Program Assistant / Community Health Navigator will work to support overall Riverside County campaigns, initiatives and staff, prepare appropriate materials, collaborate with community partners, and develop and lead training for youth leaders and other campaign partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Recruitment, Outreach, and Promotion
   
   
   
   1. Support in conducting outreach to recruit and attract dynamic and diverse team of youth leaders and adult leaders 
   
   
   2. With support from Program Manager and Programmatic Staff, produce appealing and relevant materials, and outreach materials
   
   
   3. Attend program meetings as needed and set up a network
   
   
   4. Support in promoting and conducting community engagement activities
   
   
   
   


2. High-Quality Relationships with Youth and Adult Participants
   
   
   
   1. Utilize positive youth development and youth-adult partnership principles to guide the work
   
   
   2. Represent YLI to networks and community in professional way
   
   
   3. Develop relationships with local leaders, youth, and decision makers
   
   
   
   


3. Program Leadership and Logistical Functions
   
   
   
   1. With support from Program Coordinator, co-facilitate developmentally appropriate and engaging workshops and training sessions that build leadership and organizing skills, deepen issue and community knowledge, and strengthen connections among members, as well as strengthen mental health awareness, advocacy, and leadership development.
   
   
   2. Support youth leaders to develop and implement youth-led campaigns that offer multiple youth leadership development opportunities
   
   
   3. Support logistics: Plan and arrange meetings and events, including preparing sites, agendas, and materials
   
   
   4. Conduct follow-up activities after meetings and events including: preparation and distribution of minutes and other records, carrying out tasks assigned at the meeting
   
   
   5. Support in the maintenance of resource databases to enhance community-wide information accessibility.
   
   
   
   


4. Campaign Development and Implementation
   
   
   
   1. Employ social media tools as a method to organize youth base
   
   
   2. Develop the capacity of youth and adults to facilitate youth-led community level data gathering and analysis in support of campaign actions
   
   
   3. Support in the creation and execution of promotional strategies for mental health awareness initiatives and other key campaigns
   
   
   4. Support coordination of key campaign events, like rallies, assemblies, press conferences or legislative hearings as needed
   
   
   5. Attend City Council and County Board of Supervisor meetings as needed during campaigns.
   
   
   
   


5. Reporting and Record Keeping
   
   
   
   1. Keep accurate, current records of participant demographics
   
   
   2. Maintain event summary and monthly records of activities
   
   
   
   


6. Stay informed about local issues, trends, and opportunities in the field
   
   
   
   1. Scan local and state list serves and websites
   
   
   2. Bring issues and opportunities to the attention of supervisors and share knowledge and resources with staff
   
   
   
   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in youth development


• Commitment to social justice, public health, and community organizing as strategies to affect change


• Experience facilitating youth-driven campaigns or projects


• Experience with social media and media relations


• Willingness work with youth and adults from communities of color and low-income communities


• Strong written and verbal communications skills


• Excellent follow-through skills; detail-oriented, organized, professional


• Able to work some evenings and weekends


• Able to work in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment


• Computer literate in Mac Platform; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Applications


• Capacity to be self-motivated


• Commitment to YLI’s values of community, inclusion, innovation, and social justice


• Bilingual/Bicultural a plus


• Access to a personal vehicle and clean driving record is required

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with supervision and/or mentorship of youth


• Experience training and providing technical assistance to youth and adult leaders


• Knowledge of Riverside County neighborhoods and communities very helpful


• Familiarity with social media as a tool for organizing and advocacy

Inclusion sits at the center of yli’s programs. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. People of color, LGBT persons, people with disabilities, and those who are bilingual are encouraged to apply. Youth Alumni who have participated and completed programs at yli are strongly encouraged to apply. yli is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, ancestry, age, medical condition, ability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status and/or any other protected basis.