Youth Program Coordinator

Location: National City, CA • Full-time, non-exempt • $22–$25 per hour

About the role

The Youth Program Coordinator supports the planning and coordination of Olivewood’s youth and family programs—including the Children's Garden and Nutrition Education Program, Chefcitos, Garden Explorers, High School Programs, and other children’s programs and events. The Coordinator plays a key role in facilitating partner relationships, especially with National School District. As an organization rooted in community, this role requires active participation in anti-racist work and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with National School District and the Children’s Program Team to schedule field trips, school garden and after-school lessons, teacher professional development, and other activities.
• Schedule and coordinate on-site programs, off-site field trips, day camps, private youth programs, and family programs.
• Support invoicing for paid youth and family programs.
• Work alongside youth program teams to support program development and planning activities.
• Handle administrative tasks including scheduling calendars, creating registrations, and tracking participation.
• Support the High School program team in developing relationships with local high schools, recruitment, and other activities.
• Provide programmatic support as needed, including occasionally teaching or assisting with lessons.
• Gather, track, and report program data.
• Serve as point of contact for community members interested in scheduling youth programs at Olivewood Gardens.
• Provide administrative and hands-on support for annual special events such as Day of Play and Halloween.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure children’s and family programs are fully supported.
• Oversee and schedule Children’s Program volunteers and interns, ensuring an engaging and rewarding experience.
• Participate in Olivewood staff meetings and activities.
• Manage and plan the programming calendar.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key community and National School District stakeholders, including district leadership, principals, and teachers.
• Represent Olivewood Gardens in the community at professional and community events.

Requirements

• 2+ years related experience and/or training in program coordination in education, health, agriculture, culinary arts, or physical fitness; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to successfully manage multiple educational programs.
• Commitment to nutrition, agriculture, wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; comfortable working with supervisors, staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Flexible in fast-paced and unpredictable environments; able to weigh multiple factors and act quickly, decisively, and diplomatically.
• Proven experience working with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to write routine reports and correspondence and present effectively before groups.
• Spanish language skills preferred.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Comfortable using computers and learning new tools; knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and basic social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram). Experience in Canva or other design platforms and virtual meeting platforms a plus.
• Acceptable DMV record and valid driver’s license required.

Physical demands

• Ability to work with frequent interruption and simultaneously supervise tasks.
• Ability to stand, stoop, reach, and bend; mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate objects.
• Ability to read small print.
• Ability to stand for long periods and walk long distances over uneven and unimproved surfaces in a garden or urban agricultural environment.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work with and near equipment with moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to work outdoors and tolerate varying weather conditions.
• Ability to use and look at small electronic devices (e.g., computer, tablet, or smartphone).

Benefits

• Health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Vacation and sick pay, plus 18 paid company holidays and office closure days.
• Employer-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Monthly and quarterly all-staff professional development and team-building opportunities.
• Outdoor work environment with a culture of learning, care, and community.