Youth on Root, a fiscally sponsored project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (“SEE”), seeks a compassionate and visionary leader to serve as its inaugural Program Director.

ABOUT YOUTH ON ROOT

Based in California, Youth on Root’s mission is to center low-income youth and youth of color as change agents in their communities by providing tools for learning from each other and opportunities to use their unique power to promote environmental justice. We envision a self-sustaining grassroots movement led by youth who have meaningful opportunities to enact their visions of environmental justice for their communities. Youth on Root is closely governed by the Advisory Council, which carries out many traditional board functions. SEE, Youth on Root’s fiscal sponsor, manages our human resources and bookkeeping requirements, which affords us space to focus on building impact and time to grow to a sustainable level before spinning off as a separate 501(c)(3). To learn more, visit Youth on Root’s website.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Following two years of rapid development in a start-up phase, Youth on Root is seeking a new Program Director to further conceptualize and execute on the foundational partnerships and planning initially envisioned by its Advisory Council. Working in collaboration with partners, advisors, contractors, volunteers, and employees, the Program Director will be responsible for realizing Youth on Root’s mission in practice and driving the implementation of our core programs: an environmental justice curriculum and youth convenings. The Program Director will represent Youth on Root publicly, develop a close partnership with the Advisory Council and Youth Advisory Board (collectively, “Advisory Body”), and lead the strategy development of the organization toward measurable positive outcomes for California youth. The Program Director reports to the Advisory Body. This position may require travel to schools and other meetings a few times a year when it is safe to do so. The initial appointment will be for one year, with a potential permanent appointment following this initial period based on performance.

The Program Director will be considered for promotion to Executive Director upon Youth on Root’s eventual transition from a fiscally sponsored project to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In their first year, the Program Director will focus on:

• Establishing Youth on Root’s reputation as a trusted and respectable youth-driven environmental justice organization
• Leading and initiating fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and management, grant writing, annual appeals, soliciting sponsorships, and fundraising events
• Partnering with experts to author and pilot an environmental justice toolkit in one rural high school and one urban high school
• Collaborating with college student groups to pilot the inaugural Annual Leadership Summit for Earth Week 2023
• Hiring and directing staff to support Youth on Root’s programmatic and fundraising work
• Executing Youth on Root’s mission and core values and participating with the Advisory Body in developing and implementing a vision and strategic plan
• Overseeing the development and implementation of, and adherence to, policies and procedures 
• Securing funding to scale up and hire two college work study students to support the Program Director as a development and communications assistant and a programs assistant
• Fostering a high-energy, goal driven, team-oriented, accountable organization
• Leading financial management of the organization including billing, accounts, reports, audits, and organization budget
• Assisting the Advisory Body in its work by maintaining contact with committee chairs and providing assistance and guidance as needed
• Assisting the Advisory Body in recruitment, training, and mentoring of volunteers
• Acting as chief spokesperson and liaison and conducting official correspondence on behalf of Youth on Root with members, regions, and states, and national and international organizations, to foster partnerships, outreach, and publicity for the organization
• Authoring Youth on Root’s first annual report for stakeholders and quarterly reports for Advisory Council meetings
• Other duties may also be assigned, as not all unique aspects of this job are covered by this posting

METRICS FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE

In one year, the Program Director will have:

• Built a strong reputation for Youth on Root’s work at the intersection of environmental justice and youth empowerment
• Led successful fundraising efforts to sustain ongoing program operations and personnel by cultivating a robust network of individual and institutional donors who give regularly to Youth on Root 
• Published an environmental justice toolkit
• Piloted our curriculum in at least two California public high schools and have implemented the inaugural Annual Leadership Summit
• Hired at least two college work study students to support programs and development & communications
• Developed a strategic plan for their potential second year, focusing on hiring at least one additional full-time staff to support programs and operations, and transitioning the project to a 501(c)(3), the Program Director to Executive Director, and the Advisory Council to Board of Directors
• Developed a strong partnership with the Advisory Body, working together on strategic and financial planning
• Created and maintained a positive working culture at Youth on Root for staff, partners, contractors, advisors, and volunteers, receiving exceptional feedback from these stakeholders
• Established frameworks for monitoring and evaluating success of Youth on Root’s programs and reported initial outputs and outcomes based on Youth on Root’s Theory of Change

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Passion for Environmental Justice, Youth Development, & Diversity

The ideal candidate will:

• Uphold the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing, the Principles of Environmental Justice, the Principles of the Youth Environmental Justice Movement, and the Youth-to-Youth and Youth-to-Adult Principles of Collaboration in all programmatic work
• Bring experience working with diverse youth in a professional capacity, such as organizing, civic engagement, environmental education or similar fields
• Lead the organization by example in centering and prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all facets of the organization’s work and internal operations, understanding its criticality with regard to values, ethics, and the overall mission of the organization

Strategic & Visionary Leadership

The ideal candidate will:

• Have the ability to set and execute a strategic plan for scaling up and transitioning from a fiscally sponsored project to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Leverage a creative mindset to navigate ambiguity independently and be inquisitive, curious, and open to feedback, direction, and collaboration with a high degree of emotional intelligence
• Understand the realities of frontline communities, including the strengths they embody and the challenges and opportunities they face. Lived experience in communities impacted by racism and environmental injustice, particularly those in California, is highly valued
• Proactively problem solve, including the ability to think ahead, troubleshoot potential problems, seek solutions, and help the team meet their goals with thoughtful communication about issues as they arise
• Demonstrate a track record as an excellent project manager who effectively manages competing priorities with diplomacy and respect and underpins communications strategies and tactics with decisive, data-driven decision-making

Fundraising & Relationship Building

The ideal candidate will: 

• Have experience with public speaking, writing, storytelling, listening, and communicating clearly and often with internal and external stakeholders regarding Youth on Root’s strategic vision to solicit feedback and buy-in
• Build a track record of success in fundraising and stewarding current funding sources, including the acquisition of major gifts and grants from foundations, corporations, individuals, and the public sector at the local, state, regional, or national level
• Collaborate with community members, community-based organizations, coalitions, policymakers, and other decision-makers
• Serve as the public face and key spokesperson for Youth on Root, representing the organization with credibility and enthusiasm, communicating its vision and value proposition to a myriad of audiences, including decision-makers and the press
• Collaborate with staff and Advisory Council to create and execute a robust, multi-year strategy that diversifies funding opportunities and sets realistic targets

Operational Savvy & Organizational Management

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate leadership ability and supervisory experience, and a track record of maintaining a productive and positive organizational culture
• Have proven history as a strong project manager, event planner, and problem solver who knows when and how to ask for help
• Show sound fiscal and business management, including project budget management
• Leverage and support the collective talent of the staff, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where individuals are empowered and encouraged to lead
• Lead and facilitate challenging discussions, prioritizing youth input
• Have working knowledge of bookkeeping, budgeting, Google Suite, MailChimp, Salesforce, and Canva

We recognize that the job description may not exactly match your qualifications. If you think you may be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.