The Center for Independent Living (CIL), founded in Berkeley as the nation’s first independent living center, is a pioneer of the disability rights and independent living movement. Our radical legacy is rooted in peer-led advocacy, cross-disability solidarity, and the belief that all people with disabilities have the right to live with dignity, choice, and freedom.

Today, CIL provides advocacy and direct services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the broader community. Our programs equip people with skills, knowledge, and resources to challenge ableism, eliminate barriers, and pursue lives they value.

Position Summary:

The Youth Program Specialist works alongside CIL Youth Outreach Coordinator to support group facilitation, workshops, and community outreach to youth with disabilities under 30, utilizing Independent Living, Disability Justice, and Positive Youth Development frameworks.

This is a part-time position that may become full-time depending on program needs. If the role expands, additional duties may be added beyond what is listed here.

Responsibilities:  

Program Support and Administration

• Collect intake information for program participants.
• Assist with data entry and tracking.
• Provide referrals to appropriate staff, programs, or external agencies to ensure comprehensive support while maintaining in-depth knowledge of CIL programs and services.

Direct Engagement with Youth and Skill-Building

• Support youth in developing skills for self-advocacy, independent living, social connections, and effective communication through self-advocacy courses. 
• Engage with community members and organizations, alongside the Youth Coordinator, to support youth participation in community activities and events.
• Foster an inclusive space and help youth and young adults to live independently.

Youth Program Facilitation and Coordination

• Co-facilitate in-person program offerings focused on youth advocacy, independent living, social connection, and community education, as appropriate.
• Co-develop, co-coordinate, and host the bi-weekly in-person Youth Social Club, in collaboration with the Youth Outreach Coordinator and Program Manager.
• Support curriculum planning and coordination with guest presenters.
• Assist with outreach, event coordination and facilitation 
• Participate in additional events related to Youth Programs as needed.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ liberation, gender and economic justice, and anti-ableism; a familiarity with,or willingness to engage in, Disability Justice frameworks and principles and apply them to Youth Outreach work
• Strong knowledge of Independent Living and Disability Rights and Disability Justice history and philosophy preferred but can also be learned
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse youth, especially Black and Indigenous youth and youth of color; low-income youth; and youth with disabilities
• Culturally responsive and respectful interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in-person and able to travel to multiple school sites and local locations
• Knowledge of community resources
• Self-directed, with a demonstrated ability to manage time and multiple tasks effectively
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with other staff and community partners 
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving, curriculum planning, and implementation skills
• Experience in service/advocacy organizing
• Lived experience with a disability is preferred
• Bilingual/Bicultural preferred
• Ability to contribute to a diverse cross-disability work environment

Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information via telephone, email, video with community members

Reasonable accommodations will be made available to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions on request.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this position, and how your lived or professional experiences connect to CIL's mission and values.

A NOTE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

Studies have shown that BIPOC and other people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications described in the job description. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse work experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in this position, and what you hope to bring to this role.

All job offers are contingent on passing a pre-employment background check.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Hiring team at hiring (@) thecil.org.

CIL Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

CIL is an E-Verify participating employer