The Family Violence Law Center (FVLC) is working to end domestic violence in Alameda County. Our holistic approach integrates violence prevention with comprehensive intervention services. We also work to address and change barriers for survivors within the legal, health, education, and criminal justice systems. As one of California's oldest agencies serving abuse victims, FVLC is recognized as a leader for delivering exceptional services and advocating for long-term social change regarding violence. Since 1996, FVLC's Youth Program has educated middle and high school students on dating violence prevention throughout Alameda County. The Youth Program has also recruited, trained and developed high school students to become peer educators for younger students.
OVERVIEW
The Youth Organizer will be responsible for identifying and training youth leaders to be educators and organizers working to increase understanding and take action against dating violence in the context of community violence. This person will reach out to networks of individuals and organizations to ensure Oakland youth have opportunities to be change agents in their communities in order to end violence. The Youth Organizer should be firmly grounded in social justice theory - specifically, popular education - have strong community organizing experience, and must be excited at the prospect of growing with our organization as we move to increase community engagement. The primary goal of the Youth Organizer will be to support Oakland youth and community members to make the connection between community violence and teen dating/domestic violence.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
A successful Youth Organizer is someone who is at their best in dynamic situations. You have the ability to perform professionally and a willingness to change directions, modify objectives and refine goals when the circumstances demand. You are a self-starter who can recognize when processes can be improved and will take the initiative to improve them.
The Youth Organizer also recognizes and cultivates the potential in others and prepares them for the future. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You are fulfilled by seeing growth in others, and people often seek you out for help and encouragement. You connect with youth and diverse community members with ease. You are comfortable interacting with different kinds of people and find it easy to carry on a conversation in a variety of settings.The Youth Organizer is aware of their responsibility towards others and has a strong value system. You are considerate, caring and accepting. The Youth Organizer acts as a bridge builder for people from different backgrounds. You can appreciate different perspectives and connect people to one another. You can also energize others and people look to you to envision what could be.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Youth Organizing
Identify, outreach to, and connect with youth within various Oakland communities.
Train youth to be peer leaders and support initiatives that both end violence and support positive community-level change.
Partner with youth leaders to design and implement campaigns to change school policies concerning teen dating violence.
Coordinate meetings, events, and activities for youth and allies.
Work with youth to develop and deliver culturally relevant youth education, dialogue and organizing.
Provide technical assistance around youth leadership development and teen dating violence prevention to external community partners.
Program Management
Work with the project Curriculum Consultant and the Youth Program Manager to create and implement youth leadership development activities.
Work with the Youth Program Manager to ensure services provided have the desired impact on participants.
Work with the project Evaluation Consultant and the Youth Program Manager to determine the best data-tracking methods and then use these methods to track participants and progress towards achieving identified goals/benchmarks.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with youth and/or community organizing and engagement.
Familiarity with Oakland strengths and challenges, its neighborhoods, and institutions.
Excellent group and individual communication skills (written and verbal). Ability to apply these skills across a range of relationships and environments, including with youth, colleagues, and external partners.
Belief in youth capacity for leadership. Knowledge of youth development models and experience supporting the leadership development of youth.
Desire for and comfort with young people taking the lead. The Youth Organizer must be able to motivate youth and support their self-determination while also creating and enforcing systems of accountability.
A demonstrated commitment to social justice, peace-building, equity, and the eradication of dating and domestic violence from our communities.
Experience engaging multiple stakeholders in collaborative processes for collective impact.
Understanding an analysis of the systemic nature of oppression, particularly the intersection of gender, race, sexual identity, and class.
Comfort working in low-income communities of color.
Ability to be flexible and creatively adapt to challenging situations.
Experience with popular education preferred.
Bilingual and bicultural preferred (Spanish - English).
Valid California Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle.
COMPENSATION: Salary based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending account, and generous vacation plan.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send resume and cover letter to
jobs@fvlc.org. Review of applications will begin June 3, 2013 and continue until the position is filled.
NON-DISCRIMINATION: Family Violence Law Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex are encouraged to apply. FVLC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, physical disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical condition, perceived physical disability or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by statute.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; drive; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions except when such accommodation would cause Family Violence Law Center an undue hardship
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment includes settings of educational institutions, community places, and office environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions except when such accommodation would cause Family Violence Law Center an undue hardship.
