Youth Development Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Job Opening: Community Advocacy Coordinator (Far Northern CA Region) 

Location: Regional Hybrid Remote (Serving Del Norte, Shasta, Humboldt, and Trinity counties)

Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt 

Reports To: Director of Programs 

Annual Salary: $62,400 annually 

Our Organization 

Founded in 1988 by foster youth and adult supporters, California Youth Connection (CYC) has evolved into a vibrant, statewide youth leadership, advocacy, and training organization with an annual budget of approximately $2 million. CYC empowers and educates current and former foster youth and provides youth with leadership and advocacy opportunities to serve as lead agents of change for statewide legislative, policy, and system improvements. 

Our Team 

As a youth-led (policy & legislation) organization, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where CYC members and staff feel heard, supported, and valued, and where they can share their authentic brilliance to move our mission forward. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally. We rely on creativity, flexibility, listening, critical thinking, and humor to bring out the best in each other. Membership development and bringing to life the youth-led model (policy & legislation) are deeply woven into the fabric of the CYC community and culture. We also appreciate each other for giving and receiving feedback and setting goals.

We believe outstanding people are the key to our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit individuals without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender (including identity and expression), sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status, or age. 

The Position

The Community Advocacy Coordinator provides the foundational resources for youth-led advocacy and leadership development activities in county-based chapters. You will build membership base and volunteer participation, develop sound organizing strategies with members, assist with fundraising, provide chapter meeting support, strengthen engagement, and facilitate community outreach. 

Operating through a trauma-informed lens, you will oversee local programs, projects, and committees using principles of positive youth development and healing-centered engagement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is a regional hybrid/remote role. Eligible candidates MUST currently reside in, near, or fully relocate to one of the Far North, CA counties: Del Norte, Shasta, Humboldt, and Trinity.

Mandatory: Applications without a custom cover letter will not be review.

Key Responsibilities 

Youth Leadership & Chapter Development

● Guide Chapters: Help youth-led chapters identify local policies and challenges in the foster care system and develop strategies and transformative goals.

● Boost Participation: Provide creative and innovative ways to engage youth and increase member participation.

● Conduct Visits: Visit regional chapters at least monthly to provide training and general support.

● Develop Leaders: Identify and prepare members for statewide policy advocacy and leadership

opportunities, public hearings, and workshops.

● Resolve Conflicts: Provide mediation and conflict resolution support to chapter members and adult

supporters.

● Logistics: Coordinate and transport youth to regional and statewide events as needed.

Community Advocacy & Outreach 

● Build Alliances: Cultivate relationships with county-level decision-makers and participate in local policy

meetings.

● Prepare Members: Empower members to confidently participate in community stakeholder and

quarterly CDSS director meetings.

● Elevate Visibility: Represent CYC at community events to expand local outreach and network base.

Management & Administration

● Supervise Youth: Recruit, interview, train, and mentor members, chapter chairs, and adult supporters.

● Track Performance: Schedule and direct work, evaluate progress, and manage member timesheets.

● Data Management: Track member participation, update databases, and collect chapter data to measure

strategy impacts.

● Reporting: Prepare and submit program and expense reports accurately and on time.

Skills & Competencies

● Program Oversight: Ability to build and oversee campaigns, programs, projects, committees, and

supervise members.

● Youth Motivation: Ability to motivate, train, and foster leadership development among youth members.

● Trauma-Informed Lens: Deep understanding of positive youth development and healing-centered

engagement.

● Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to bridge connections across diverse

community stakeholders.

Required Education/Experience

• Associate’s degree, or equivalent from an accredited two-year college.
• At least three years experience working directly with youth and adult volunteers and a love for working with teenagers and young adults, preferably within foster care.
• Experience with foster care issues, community organizing, state legislation and policy, and working with government agencies.
• Experience and understanding of the K-12 school system and the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems as they relate to youth from foster care.
• Hold a current driver’s license with at least three years of driving experience and a good driving record; a reliable insured vehicle is required.

Work Location, Conditions & Physical Demands

● Work Location: Far Northern, CA - Del Norte, Shasta, Humboldt, and Trinity counties

● Location Requirement: Must currently reside in, near, or relocate to the Far Northern Region of CA

● Hybrid Remote Model: Split time between working remotely from home and working in the field, and

meetings and other activities across the Far Northern region are regularly required. Travel and overnight

stays outside the region are also required. A good driving record and reliable, insured vehicle are

required.

● Schedule: Standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; weekend and evening

work is a required part of this role.

● Physical Demands: Long periods of stationary computer work and phone communication. Must

occasionally lift and move training supplies, luggage, or boxes up to 50 pounds. Must drive long

distances on occasion.

Benefits Package

● Fully paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and chiropractic).

● Generous paid vacation and sick leave.

● Paid holidays, dedicated Wellbeing Days, and an annual Winter Break closure.

● Life insurance coverage.

● Up to a 3% employer contribution match to the retirement plan.