Senior Program Manager

Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP); Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community organization focused on migrant youth seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead programs supporting Indigenous youth’s mental health and community advocacy. The position emphasizes collaboration, promoting cultural pride, and organizing activities to combat systemic racism. Ideal candidates will be bilingual in English and Spanish, have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, and be committed to empowering marginalized communities. Competitive compensation is offered along with a full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• Commitment to uplift and support indigenous identities and languages.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish.
• Experience working with youth on mental health issues.

Responsibilities

• Supervise grant and contract deliverables for all programs.
• Lead the development and production of PSAs and content.
• Engage youth in culturally appropriate programming.

Skills

Collaboration

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

MS Office Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

MIXTECO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Senior Program Manager

REPORTS TO: Director of Behavioral Wellness

LOCATION: MICOP Office, Santa Maria

STATUS: Non Exempt

HOURS OF WORK: Full Time, 40 hours per week

ABOUT MIXTECO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT

Founded in 2001, Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) supports, organizes and empowers the indigenous migrant communities of California’s Central Coast through improved access to health and community resources, community organizing, language interpretation, education, direct assistance, cultural promotion, and our indigenous‑led Radio Indígena community radio station. MICOP offers a fast‑paced, multilingual and multicultural work environment dedicated to carrying out our mission.

SUMMARY

The Senior Program Manager will work with Indigenous migrant youth to strengthen protective factors and support mental health and wellness within the community. The manager will also support with community organizing and policy advocacy efforts. Services are provided to Mixtec, Zapotec, and Purépecha youth living in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties on the Central Coast, who face multiple vulnerabilities, including race, language, culture, income, immigration status, etc. This position focuses on strengthening protective factors by supporting teens in building cultural awareness and pride in their heritage, strengthening collaboration with caring adults and peers, developing coping and problem‑solving skills, and engaging in community organizing and policy advocacy work to challenge racism, discrimination, and unjust systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise all three programs and ensure all grant and contract deliverables are met on time and in full.
• In collaboration with the programs, lead the development and production of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and programming content on Radio Indígena.
• Engage Indigenous Latino/a/x youth that are primarily first‑generation migrants and offer them culturally appropriate, trauma‑informed programming that incorporates social justice youth and development principles.
• Create protective environments by engaging community members in shared activities.
• Increase screening of program participants and provide appropriate referrals.
• Lead development and implementation of a culturally competent, multilingual communications plan to reach Indigenous migrant youth and parents.
• Ensure OFY, Kuni Mi, and Tequio compile a list of youth‑centered support services, resources and information available for youth in each program.
• Support each program manager and maintain clear, consistent communication.
• Plan and facilitate community organizing activities that engage youth in identifying community issues, building coalitions, and organizing actions that promote equity and social justice.
• Support and guide youth in policy advocacy efforts, including issue research, developing advocacy messages, meeting with decision‑makers, and participating in public hearings or civic engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate and implement youth‑led advocacy campaigns focused on addressing systemic racism and discrimination, strengthening youth leadership, and advancing community and policy change.
• Ensure that information and resources compiled are included in all components of the communications campaign.
• Ensure collaboration between OFY, Kuni Mi, and Tequio programs.
• Disseminate information on available crisis response resources for Indigenous Youth and their families.
• Engage in program evaluation activities, as needed.
• Monitor social media activity, PSAs produced and aired, audience engagement, call‑ins, and reach from community events.
• Ensure programs are inclusive, accessible, culturally responsive, and supportive of a diverse community.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support and expand the three programs, including researching grants, preparing proposal materials, and coordinating with partners on submissions.
• Develop and maintain program reports for all three programs, including but not limited to participation metrics.
• Participate in meetings to share program successes, discuss challenges, and learn best practices in suicide prevention.
• Attend Technical Assistance activities designed to increase knowledge and competence.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to collaborate with Marketing and Communications Associate to create content for social media posts.
• Commitment to uplift and support indigenous identities and languages.
• Required to communicate in English, Spanish.
• Ability to speak Indigenous language preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work in an office environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to welcome others and build collaborative, supportive group dynamics.
• Excellent writing and organizational skills.
• Responsible, with ability to follow through and complete projects.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, independently without close supervision, and meet deadlines.
• Able to pay close attention to details.
• Have reliable transportation.

EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Experience related to creating content for disseminating information on social media.
• Experience working with youth on mental health issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project leadership.
• Previous experience gathering data, and generating reports.
• Two years of general office experience with emphasis using computer applications to store data, and maintaining a database, preferred.
• Previous experience leading and organizing a radio station or a program related to radio, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of media production and project leadership, preferred.