Advocacy Coordinator
17 days ago
Richmond
Job DescriptionSalary: $31.35 - $34.82 ABOUT YES NATURE TO NEIGHBORHOODS (YES) Our Mission: In partnership with nature, YES nurtures leaders who champion the wellbeing of our community. Since 1999, YES has provided outdoor access to over 5,500 youth from Richmond and West Contra Costa County to Summer Camp, facilitated Family Camps for 1,200 families, and has evolved to become a well-established promoter of leadership and wellness practices reaching more than 550 West Contra Costa County residents each year. Learn more at The YES ALP Advocacy Coordinator is a full-time position (40 hours/week) that supports both the Teaching Racial and Environmental Empowerment Series (TREES) program for approximately 12 young adults (ages 1826) and the Use Your Power (UYP), Adult Leadership Pathway (ALP) Program. This role focuses on strengthening community members leadership skills and empowering them to become effective advocates for change. The Advocacy Coordinator works closely with the TREES Senior Coordinator to deepen young adults understanding of the impacts of the War on Drugs and substance use in Communities of Color. They also build partnerships, foster community relationships, and deliver presentations on these issues. Together with the ALP Manager, the Advocacy Coordinator also supports adult participants in stepping into meaningful leadership roles after completing the ALP program. These roles may include serving as campaign organizers, advisory or board members, school site council members, participating in park equity initiatives, or pursuing roles within YES or other community-based organizations. The Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for developing a strong network of young adult advocates and adult leaders who can actively engage in local and regional advocacy efforts. The role includes both on-site and off-site work, as well as occasional weekend commitments in a direct service capacity, and reports to the TREES Senior Coordinator with general oversight from the Adult Leadership Pathway Manager. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Program Coordination and Implementation (70%) • Use research on public health, mental health, substance use and local policy landscapes to inform, develop and implement advocacy strategies for the TREES program., • Applies a Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) framework in partnership with relevant YES team members to inform the TREES program., • Advance equitable, culturally responsive preventative mental health policy priorities by conducting research and advocating for stronger behavioral health metrics, increased transparency in the County Health Care Atlas, and expanded public access to data., • Design and facilitate workshops for the TREES and UYP (Use Your Power) programs focused on base-building, organizing, storytelling, and advocacy communication., • Coordinate participant engagement in advocacy efforts, including lead roles for TREES participants at Family Camp and Rich City Kickback, while providing individualized coaching for UYP participants to strengthen their leadership, advocacy skills, and pathways into community leadership roles such as advisory or board members, school site council members, or staff positions at YES and other community-based organizations., • Manage Rich City Kickback outreach and press communication efforts, promotional materials, partner engagement, and event mobilization with a special focus on having local official attendance and engagement at the event., • Supervise and mentor one TREES Advocacy Ambassador for four months each year, supporting their leadership development and contributions to the TREES PSE strategy, as well as their engagement in TREES and Family Camp programming., • Work cross-functionally with YES team members, including the Wellness Specialist, to support participant well-being, individualized care referrals and holistic program engagement by participating in monthly ALP Care Council meetings., • Support outreach efforts for TREES and Family Camp that are aligned with YESs racial justice goals and program engagement priorities, and attend at least one Family Camp annually., • Provide supervision, group management, and conflict resolution during activities by modeling teamwork, cooperative effort, and creative, peaceful resolution of conflict., • Support additional program and organizational needs as assigned Community Partner Collaboration (20%) • Identify and map key stakeholders, community institutions, organizations and civic influencers in the Richmond and surrounding area., • Build and maintain relationships with community members, partner organizations, and core leaders (i.e. elected officials, city and county staff), and policy partners to strengthen collaborations and advocacy efforts., • Monitor trends, events, policies, and decisions affecting Richmonds political landscape to inform advocacy strategies., • Participate in local government, coalition, and community organization meetings alongside TREES Ambassadors and TREES Senior Coordinator to maintain accountability, inform decision-making, and increase community awareness of YES TREES program., • Facilitate partnerships that elevate community-based healers and culturally rooted wellness services within city-sponsored events. Evaluation (5%) • Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks, dashboards, infographics, and reports to track program outcomes, advocacy impact and progress toward policy and metric goals for TREES and UYP programs., • Design and lead research and data collection and analysis on youth mental health, and substance use trends, particularly among Transition-Age Youth (TAY), synthesizing quantitative and qualitative findings to inform policy recommendations and program improvements., • Create systems to monitor follow-ups and progress in key advocacy areas, analyzing outcomes for TREES and UYP program initiatives and adapting strategies as needed. Organizational Leadership (5%) • Commit to the organizations vision, mission, and values and communicate YESs strategic direction to staff, constituents, and partners., • Participate in organization-wide equity, inclusion and diversity work., • Attend team meetings, participate in special projects, task forces as their capacity permits, and actively contribute to the organizations strategic plan as needed., • Participate in training programs related to professional development, leadership, non-violent communication, anti-Black racism, and other relevant areas., • Support one fundraising event annually with event preparation, set-up, clean-up, and/or staffing during the event., • Contribute content, such as program summaries and anecdotes, to communications and fundraising campaigns. SKILLS/EXPECTATIONS • Bachelors degree in Public Policy, Social Work, Education, Political Science, Public Health, Ethnic Studies, Environmental Studies or a related field, AND at least one year of equivalent work experience in community grassroots organizing., • Knowledge of public policy, local government, and community organizing, • Experience applying Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) frameworks, • Ability to analyze and translate data into actionable policy recommendations, • Strong communication, public speaking, and storytelling skills, • Experience facilitating trainings, workshops, or leadership development sessions, • Experience building partnerships with community members and stakeholders, • Ability to identify stakeholders and power map community institutions, • Experience with program evaluation, data collection, and data synthesis, • Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, • Commitment to racial, social, and health equity with a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach, • Experience working with diverse communities and navigating conflict with professionalism, • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google tools, and platforms like Canva, • Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends when needed 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, lift and carry up to 30 lbs over short distances. COMPENSATION This is a full-time, non-exempt, 40 hours/week position. The hourly range for this position is $31.35 - $34.82 depending on experience. BENEFITS YES offers a generous benefits package to all full-time employees that include: • 100% medical, dental, vision premiums paid (for employees only), • 403b retirement matching program (up to 3% of annual salary), • 10 days vacation in the first year with incremental accruals thereafter; 10 days paid sick/wellness time off, up to 13 paid holidays, 1 day paid time off for birthdays., • Paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Years Day, • Fully paid 6-week sabbatical program after 6 years of consecutive employment, • Professional development opportunities TO APPLY Please email your resume and cover letter to Maria Chan, Human Resources Manager via the link provided. We would like to start this position no later than the first week of June, 2026. The position is open until filled. YES is an equal opportunity employer. You will be part of a team that values a diversity of cultures, perspectives and lived experiences. We carefully consider every applicant who takes the time to apply. We seek talented and qualified individuals, and strive to hire candidates who reflect the diversity of the community we serve, regardless of age, ancestry, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, military obligations, national origins, physical abilities, race, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We also know from research done, that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they meet every single qualification in a job description. If you are interested in the position, even if you dont believe that you meet all the qualifications, we strongly encourage you to submit your application. All employees are required to have received an FDA- approved vaccine against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. No phone calls please.
Cleaning
Driver & Delivery
Kitchen Porter
Chef & Cook
Waiters
Construction & Trades
Security
Fast Food
Salon & Beauty
Office & Admin
Retail
Sales & Marketing
Warehouse
Customer Service
Host & Hostess
Barista
Entertainment
Accounting & Finance
Animal Care
Art, Media, Design
Bar Staff
Child Care
Education
Engineering
Events & Promotion
Fashion
Healthcare
Information Technology
Legal
Management
Manufacturing
Online Jobs
Science
Sports & Wellness
Writing & Editing
Other