Job Description

Job Description

BRIEF HISTORY  

Future Leaders of America (FLA) began as a grassroots response to the lack of Latinx role models in Oxnard, California. For 40 years, FLA has provided over 9,750+ low-income Latino youth and their families with personal development, leadership development, educational experiences, and advocacy training in Ventura and Santa Barbara County. FLA has worked tirelessly to develop strong communities through youth leadership, organizing, and advocacy. The organization seeks positive role models who can continue the legacy of FLA leadership in the community.

FLA’s MISSION

FLA develops youth resiliency and leadership to create long-lasting systemic change by empowering and mobilizing youth leaders to advocate for policies that improve their lives and the lives of their peers and their communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW  

FLA is seeking an experienced Senior Organizer in Santa Maria to train, develop, and guide Latino youth and parents to mobilize and create positive change in their community. The Senior Organizer will co-lead campaigns addressing education inequities and health equity, while increasing civic engagement through youth- and parent-led advocacy, grassroots organizing, and media campaigns.

As a senior member of the organizing team, this role is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of organizing strategies, providing mentorship and supervision to organizers as needed, and supporting the ongoing leadership development of youth and parent leaders. The Senior Organizer will also work to deepen engagement with community members, youth, and families to respond collectively to issues that impact the social conditions of Latino communities in Santa Maria.

Youth Organizing (80%)

• Develop and strengthen the leadership abilities of the Future Leaders of America Master Achievers (FLAMA) youth council by conducting biweekly youth council meetings. The Senior Organizer will also build strong working relationships with all FLAMA youth council members.
• Plan and host FLAMA (youth coalition) meetings that build community, strengthen leadership skills, and energize FLA youth leaders around their campaign goals and initiatives. 
• Advise and train FLAMA youth and its youth council on organizing, advocacy, and strategic planning for local campaigns on health and educational disparities among the Latino community.
• The Senior Organizer will work closely with the part-time Parent Organizer in Santa Maria to implement strategies and campaigns around education and health equity, including but not limited to grant reporting, data collection and entry, and media outreach.
• Develop and maintain collaborations with local, regional, state, and national partner organizations.
• Work with the Associate Leadership Development Director to plan, mobilize youth, and execute annual leadership development and civic engagement events and activities, which include but are not limited to: Youth Leadership Camp, University Seminars, Family Leadership Camp, Facilitator Trainings, and supplemental activities. 
• Track student participation through the internal database; collect evaluations from participants. 
• Provide logistical support to FLA youth-led events through meeting logistics, preparation, and facilitation.
• Work in partnership with the Civic and Voter Engagement Coordinator on all civic engagement activities that engage FLA youth and parents. 

2. Parent Organizing (20%)

• Supervise and mentor one part-time parent organizer in Santa Maria, supporting their professional growth, leadership, and accountability to grant and workplan deliverables.
• Supervise and support the Parent Organizer’s recruitment plan of Latino families for FLA’s 3-day Family Leadership Conference.
• Supervise and support the Parent Organizer in coordinating a monthly parent/guardian meeting where at least 15 parents/guardians discuss education inequity and social justice issues. 
• Provide organizing training for Latino/Indigenous parents/guardians, including the development of strategic and power mapping charts to develop their leadership skills. 
• Supervise and support Parent Organizer in creating a safe and culturally-relevant space for parents/guardians to participate in leadership-building activities, which may include, but are not limited to, conducting listening campaigns and developing relationships with community leaders and officials from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSHD)
• Advise and support the Parent Organizer on how to lead and engage parents/guardians on advocacy and strategic planning for local campaigns on education and drug and alcohol prevention issues by having weekly check-in meetings with them.

General and Other

• Serve as a role model for youth by demonstrating leadership, integrity, and a commitment to social justice. 
• Work with partner organizations on civic engagement and nonpartisan electoral work.
• Promote FLA’s mission and goals, including articulating the mission and taking opportunities to advance its goals when appropriate.
• Work with funders by attending regularly scheduled meetings, providing updates, and requesting necessary materials to ensure compliance and alignment with grant objectives.
• Other assigned duties

JOB REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2 years of experience in community organizing and/or 2 years of experience working in the field of community development or other relevant community work.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent level of experience is preferred. 
• Prior employment or intern experience with transferable skills to that of a community organizer. 
• Outdoor leadership skills (first aid certification, competence in camping best practices, awareness of risk factors/management in the outdoors, tolerance of nature’s challenges are highly sought.
• Demonstrated commitment and passion for working with youth/parents/guardians to provide access to education and social justice.
• Cultural awareness competency (first generation, Indigenous/Latinx, immigrant).
• Proven commitment to social justice (i.e., immigration, environmental, anti-blackness, LGBTQ+). 
• Experience with and desire to work with diverse cultures, and the ability to engage people from a variety of backgrounds on a one-on-one basis or in a group format.
• Strategic and analytical political thinking skills to think through a variety of community issues and strategies. 
• Strong written and verbal skills, including large group presentations and public speaking.
• Tech-savvy – has skills beyond basic computer literacy.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to set own work priorities, manage responsibilities, and time.
• Ability to work with youth leaders to identify and develop issue campaigns that build leadership.
• Ability to create and carry out effective strategies for actions.
• Be a strategic thinker and consistently exhibit the ability to think through a variety of approaches to an issue and forecast possible and realistic results.
• Ability to link neighborhood-based issues with regional, state, and national issues.
• Setting and achieving an annual grassroots fundraising goal 
• Fluent English and Spanish-speaking skills 
• Outstanding people skills, sense of humor, and creative thinker.  

SCHEDULES

Our work schedules vary, primarily according to our programming schedule. Weekly work schedules are typically planned by you and your supervisor(s) up to a week in advance. Because we are a youth services organization, most programming occurs after school/work hours. You must understand and anticipate that your schedules will vary and will occasionally include working weekends and travel throughout the region, state, and nation.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

It is important to note that employment with FLA is based on mutual consent for an unspecified term and is considered employment-at-will. Accordingly, either you or FLA - with or without cause or advance notice - can terminate the employment relationship at any time. Future Leaders of America, Inc. also has the right to change the terms and conditions of your employment with or without notice, including but not limited to termination, demotion, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, duties, and location of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions .  

OTHER REQUIREMENTS  

Staff are expected to participate in fundraising events, including but not limited to Latino Legacy Awards, Alumni Reencuentro, meet and greets, and annual posadas. Staff should also have a valid driver’s license with insurance and dependable access to a car to drive for work. A background and driver's check is required prior to employment. All staff are expected to follow FLA’s Code of Excellence in all responsibilities and interactions.

REPORTS TO : Associate Leadership Development Director, Eva Maria Catalan

STATUS: FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT

COMPENSATION RANGE:

$28 /HR

• 3.5% base salary annual increase in January 2026
• FLA offers a benefits package for our full-time employees, including:
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance (plus 75% coverage for your spouse or child)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a 2% match of annual compensation
• Aflac Supplemental Benefits
• Paid vacation (two weeks per year) and sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• Ongoing professional training in major gifts solicitation
• A commitment to work-life balance and a fun, self-driven working environment

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@futureleadersnow.org. Subject: Senior Organizer. The position will be open until filled.

Future Leaders of America, Inc. has a deep commitment to fostering equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds representing all genders, ages, beliefs, and identities.

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