Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy Community Engagement Assistant (Temporary Part-Time/Hybrid) Altadena, CA · Part time Company website

Apply for Community Engagement Assistant (Temporary Part-Time/Hybrid)

Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy (TTPC) is a Tongva-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2022 and dedicated to stewarding land and uplifting culture in Tovaangar, the ancestral homelands of the Tongva people. TTPC is centered at Huhuunga in Altadena, California — the first plot of land returned to Tongva stewardship in nearly 200 years.

TTPC’s work supports cultural preservation, ecological restoration, community education, youth engagement, and land-based healing. Since its founding, TTPC has hosted more than 40 community gatherings, welcomed hundreds of volunteers and participants to Huhuunga, restored Native and edible plant species using Traditional Ecological Knowledge practices, and continued building physical and cultural infrastructure for future generations.

TTPC is not a Tribal authority or governmental body. It is a community-based organization guided by collaboration, mutual respect, cultural responsibility, and a long-term vision to rematriate land to California Native plants and people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community and Cultural Engagement

• Lead assigned community outreach efforts by identifying and pursuing opportunities to represent TTPC at community events, partner gatherings, and tabling activities hosted by other organizations.
• Build and maintain connections with community members, organizers, and partner organizations to strengthen TTPC's network of support and shared resources. Document community contacts, outreach activities, and potential partnership opportunities, and provide timely updates to the Program Director.
• Carry out assigned logistical responsibilities for ceremonies and cultural gatherings with care and discretion, honoring established cultural protocols and following guidance from the Program Director, Executive Director, and Board.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of culturally grounded programs and activities that reflect Tongva culture, Indigenous knowledge, and Native community perspectives, under the guidance of TTPC leadership.
• Help maintain a safe, accessible, respectful, and welcoming environment for community members, program participants, and partners during TTPC activities and events.

Program and Event Support

• Participate in the preparation and delivery of public educational programming and community engagement activities, including in-person and virtual workshops, community gatherings, partner events, wellness circles, seasonal ceremonies, and quarterly Volunteer Education Days, taking responsibility for assigned activities and deliverables.
• Prepare and organize assigned program supplies, materials, curriculum, and educational resources, ensuring they are complete and ready for scheduled activities.
• Carry out assigned event responsibilities, including setup, participant check-in, survey collection, educational facilitation, shared meals, cleanup, and follow-up, ensuring assigned tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Provide responsive, respectful, and timely assistance to staff, speakers, teachers, facilitators, partners, and community members during programs and events, communicating needs or concerns to the Program Director as appropriate.
• Take ownership of an individual project approved by the Program Director that aligns with TTPC's program goals and the employee's professional development interests. Develop a project plan with defined objectives, timelines, and deliverables; coordinate assigned activities; provide regular progress updates; and complete agreed-upon deliverables.

Land Stewardship

• Carry out assigned ecological restoration activities at Huhuunga following established stewardship practices and guidance from the Program Director.
• Support the preparation and implementation of land-based volunteer events by taking ownership of assigned responsibilities, including resource gathering, event setup, day-of logistics, volunteer task support, educational facilitation, and participant engagement.
• Contribute to the development and distribution of stewardship resources and educational materials, ensuring information is accurate, culturally appropriate, and reviewed as needed by the Program Director.

Organizational Systems and Accountability

• Collect and accurately document assigned program data, including participant attendance, engagement activities, surveys, and other required records, and submit information in a timely manner to support grant tracking and reporting.
• Maintain accurate and timely updates on assigned tasks and deliverables using TTPC's shared Microsoft tools, including updating task status, tracking deadlines, and communicating progress or obstacles.
• Maintain proactive and timely communication with the Program Director and broader TTPC team by responding to emails, attending scheduled meetings, reviewing agendas, documenting relevant notes, maintaining an accurate calendar, and following through on assigned action items.

Team, Collective Leadership, and Culture

• Share information proactively, communicate clearly and promptly, take ownership of assigned responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and show up for colleagues and community members with consistency and care.
• Contribute to a culture of collective leadership, where decisions are made together when possible, all voices are valued, and leadership is understood as a shared responsibility.
• Help sustain a team culture that is respectful, accountable, and mission-aligned, where individual responsibilities are understood, commitments are honored, and colleagues feel supported in carrying the work together.
• Bring flexibility and adaptability to the work, understanding that priorities shift, systems are still growing, and working in community-based and emergent organizations requires patience, problem-solving, and a willingness to meet the moment.

WHO YOU ARE

• You are grounded in community-centered work and genuinely enjoy connecting with people, building relationships, and contributing to meaningful community initiatives.
• You are approachable, engaging, and comfortable representing TTPC in community settings, sharing information about its mission, programs, and opportunities with warmth and clarity.
• You value cultural humility, discretion, and respect, and understand the importance of honoring Indigenous knowledge, cultural traditions, and community perspectives.
• You are organized, dependable, and detail-oriented, taking ownership of assigned responsibilities and following through on commitments.
• You are a clear, proactive communicator who keeps others informed, responds in a timely manner, and seeks clarification or guidance when needed.
• You are comfortable working independently while collaborating with a small, hybrid team and contributing to a culture of collective leadership.
• You are flexible, solutions-oriented, and eager to learn, recognizing that priorities and responsibilities may evolve in a growing, community-based organization.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• Experience or demonstrated ability to engage with community members, conduct one-on-one outreach, and build positive relationships with individuals, organizations, and community partners.
• Comfort with public speaking, community tabling, and communicating information to diverse audiences in a welcoming, accessible way.
• Strong organizational skills, including tracking outreach activities, maintaining accurate records of community contacts and conversations, and communicating potential opportunities or partnership leads.
• Interest in Indigenous land stewardship practices, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, ancestral foodways, California native plants, ecological restoration, and/or land-based education. Previous hands-on land care experience is helpful but not required.
• Ability to support community programs and events, including preparing materials, assisting participants, coordinating assigned activities, and following through on designated tasks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel within the greater Los Angeles region.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds, stand and walk for extended periods, and work outdoors in various conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Availability to work in person at least two days per week and participate in community programs, gatherings, and events, including weekends.

WHAT WILL PUT YOU AHEAD

• Experience working with Native, Tribal, Indigenous, or community-based organizations.
• Familiarity with ceremony and cultural protocols in Native community spaces.
• Existing relationships within Native community networks in Los Angeles County or the broader Southern California region.
• Experience coordinating educational programs and community events.
• Currently pursuing or already having training and/or a degree in a related field.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A high school degree or above is preferred, along with 1–2 years of relevant experience. Beyond formal credentials, lived experience, community-based work, and cultural grounding carry weight in our assessment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

TTPC is committed to a fair, thoughtful, and respectful hiring process. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.