Youth Programming/ Education Lead

CRECE Urban Farms is seeking a Youth Programming/Education Lead to manage the Sembrando Cambios ambassador program, engaging youth in urban agriculture. The role involves facilitating youth training, providing farming support, and performing administrative duties. Candidates should have experience in youth programming, community engagement, and ideally be bilingual in English and Spanish. This position is based in Santa Ana, CA, and requires reliable transportation for field trips.
JOB DESCRIPTION

CRECE has an immediate opening for Youth Programming and Education Lead. The prospective candidate will facilitate and lead CRECE’s youth ambassador program, titled Sembrando Cambios, as well as create new opportunities to engage youth in our region. As a team member of CRECE, the prospective candidate is also expected to provide farming support as needed to ensure sites are operational and able to support youth programming. They will also dedicate time for administrative duties to meet the needs of the team overall.

Sembrando Cambios is an ambassador program with a purpose of bringing a strong youth presence to CRECE and our farm sites. Youth will learn how urban agriculture can and is transforming our relationship to food, land, and our community, and gain a concrete skill set that they can walk away with beyond the completion of the program. Youth ambassadors will get hands-on experience by providing farming support and participating in community programs at various urban farms and/or community gardens around Santa Ana and Orange County. Professional training will include introduction to key frameworks–namely, Health Equity, Just Transition, and Food Sovereignty in urban agriculture and building of skills in public speaking, networking, and written communication. These activities will be facilitated by the Youth Programming & Education Lead, with the support of the Community Engagement Coordinator.

Education and Experience:
• No formal higher education is required but experience in youth programming and education is highly preferred, along with community engagement, community development, or farming/gardening education
• Experience working with youth aged 14 and above preferred
• Experience with curriculum development and lesson planning preferred
• Previous work experience in Santa Ana, or Orange County, is a plus, but not required.
• Background check will be conducted to ensure safety of youth, including driver’ background check
• Driver’s license is preferred due to likelihood of field trips for youth

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Demonstrate critical and creative thinking and problem-solving abilities needed.
• Extensive knowledge of principles and best practices of community-oriented outreach, organizing, training, and planning.
• Knowledge of principles and practice of positive youth development
• Ability to work with diverse communities of economic, social, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) written and spoken ability is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to gather, interpret and organize data and prepare comprehensive written reports and popular education methods.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple ongoing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and be willing to use it for job related tasks (CRECE has a policy for mileage reimbursement).

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

If offered the position, we will request your consent to run a background check, as we are required to do so by our insurance company for any positions that work with youth. Per the California Fair Chance Act, we will only take into consideration convictions substantially related to the position. You will be given the opportunity to explain any convictions on your background check results before we make our hiring decision.

We know there are great candidates who may not think they fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself! And if you’re a person of color, trans or gender non-conforming, a non college-degree holder, or a formerly incarcerated individual, we will be particularly excited to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• After school
• Choose your own hours
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:
• Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
• Santa Ana, CA 92701: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Santa Ana, CA 92701