Description

Title: Youth Programs Manager
Department: Partnerships & Programs
Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: California (Remote + 15-20% travel)

Position Overview

Ten Strands seeks a full-time Youth Programs Manager to lead the implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of Ten Strands’ youth leadership initiatives.

Ten Strands believes students are powerful agents of change within their schools and communities. Through youth leadership, environmental literacy, policy engagement, and action-oriented learning, Ten Strands supports students in becoming changemakers who advance more sustainable, resilient, and equitable schools and communities.

This role manages Ten Strands’ youth programs, including the California Youth Climate Policy (CYCP) Leadership Program, California Youth Environmental Data Leadership Program (CYED), and student internship and mentorship opportunities. Under the direction of the Chief Innovation Officer, the Youth Programs Manager will support the implementation and expansion of Ten Strands’ broader Youth Capacity Building Program Vision through program coordination, partnership development, student leadership support, and program operations.

This role requires a collaborative, organized, and entrepreneurial leader who can balance day-to-day program management with longer-term program growth and development.

Essential Functions

Youth Program Leadership and Implementation

• Lead the implementation and coordination of Ten Strands youth leadership and capacity building programs, including CYCP, CYED, and youth internship opportunities.
• Support program planning, facilitation, logistics, communications, evaluation, and continuous improvement across youth initiatives.
  Coordinate student recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and retention, along with mentor, facilitator, and partner coordination.
• Support the development and implementation of student leadership trainings, workshops, retreats, presentations, events, and youth-led action initiatives.
  Coordinate and support student internship opportunities, including recruitment, onboarding, supervision, communication, and professional development support.
• Ensure programs are implemented in ways that are youth-centered, culturally relevant, equitable, and aligned with Ten Strands’ mission and values.
• Manage program timelines, deliverables, documentation, reporting, and the development of program resources, presentations, and communications materials.
• Collect, organize, and analyze qualitative and quantitative program data to support evaluation, storytelling, and continuous improvement.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement and Growth of Youth Programming

• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, educators, school and district staff, community organizations, mentors, and statewide partners.
• Support the implementation of Ten Strands’ long-term Youth Capacity Building Program Vision and expansion strategy, including helping to operationalize multi-pathway youth leadership models that move students from investigation and assessment to implementation, advocacy, and systems change.
• Help identify opportunities for program growth, partnerships, funding alignment, and regional expansion.
• Represent Ten Strands in meetings, workshops, conferences, and collaborative initiatives related to youth leadership, environmental literacy, and climate action.
• Support coordination with external partners and consultants involved in youth programming and implementation efforts.

General Organizational Responsibilities

• Contribute as a collaborative member of the Ten Strands Partnerships team.
• Participate in internal planning, strategy discussions, and organizational initiatives.
• Support cross-team collaboration and integration across Ten Strands projects and initiatives.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong commitment to youth leadership, equity, and environmental literacy.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically while also managing operational details.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to support program growth and innovation.
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to youth engagement.
• Proficiency with digital collaboration, communication, and project management tools.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Activities that occur frequently are communicating effectively with others to exchange information; assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work; repeating motions efficiently that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Activities that occur occasionally are moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one work site to another; adjusting or moving objects less than 50 pounds in all directions.

Work Environment 

The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ten Strands is a remote-first organization based in California. While many responsibilities can be accomplished remotely, in-person facilitation and collaboration is required.
• For remote responsibilities, the employee must be based in California. The employee will establish an appropriate remote work environment. Employees are expected to maintain their workspace safely and free from safety hazards and distractions.
• Travel to off-site venues is required, 15-20%. Some off-site program facilitation may take place after standard working hours.

Compensation & Benefits 

The compensation package for this position includes:

• Base Salary: $75,000 to $80,000
• 100% employer-paid health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance (annual value $10,500)
• 401(k) guaranteed contribution of 3% (up to $2,400 for this role in Year 1)
• 401(k) 50% match contribution up to 6% (up to $2,400 additional for this role in Year 1)
• Access to mental health benefits, medical concierge, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance
• 3 weeks flexible Paid Time Off in Years 1-2, with annual increases beginning in Year 3 up to 5 weeks
• Organization-wide closures on federal holidays, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and December 24 to January 1 annually

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. Ten Strands may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Ten Strands is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

How to Apply

To apply, visit tenstrands.org/about/careers/youth-programs-manager/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the priority submission deadline of June 30, 2026 @ 9:00 AM. 

The selection process will include:

Round 1: Resume and application question review - Priority deadline June 30, 2026 @ 9:00 AM

Round 2: Initial interviews - July 6 to July 10, 2026

Round 3: Professional artifact and reference submission - Due July 21, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

Round 4: Final interview with Ten Strands leadership - Date to be announced

Requirements

Education and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in youth development, education, program management, leadership development, environmental literacy, or related fields.
• Experience facilitating or coordinating youth leadership, civic engagement, advocacy, internship, mentorship, or educational programs.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables.
• Experience organizing events, workshops, trainings, or community engagement efforts.
• Experience collecting and managing program data and supporting evaluation or reporting efforts.
• Experience working within or alongside California TK–12 education systems preferred.
• Experience with environmental literacy, sustainability, climate action, civic engagement, or youth organizing preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in education, environmental studies, youth development, public policy, sustainability, social sciences, or related fields.