#careers

Open Call: Join TCI’s Inaugural Youth Advisory Council or our Board of Directors!

“Nothing about us, without us!”

For many decades, the norm for youth-serving organizations has been to operate with little to no youth input regarding organizational decision-making. But, as youth-serving organizations, we can do better. In recent years, we have been seeing a critically needed rise in meaningful youth engagement with organizations taking action to provide continual, active, and authentic leadership opportunities to youth for their expert input. We believe in the capacity of young people and want to create a space for them to lead and help us better serve our target population. Therefore, we are calling on young decision-makers to join The Climate Initiative (TCI) as a member of our inaugural Youth Advisory Council or as part of our Board of Directors!

Opportunity Description
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of young decision-makers who will help advance our mission to empower youth voices for climate action by guiding our work to educate, empower, and activate youth and their local communities for climate action. The YAC will help brainstorm new ideas to further our mission, provide feedback on existing programs, resources, and systems, and help us better serve youth. Throughout the year, we will provide leadership training and fun sessions for the YAC members to sharpen their skills, grow their networks, and build community. We invite applicants with all levels of experience in leadership and climate action to apply to be a YAC Member. 

Those interested in additional leadership are highly encouraged to apply to join our Board of Directors, fulfilling responsibilities of both the Board and YAC. Each position has a separate onboarding process, during which you will learn what you need to be successful in those roles. Learn about the current Board of Directors here. 

Requirements
The only requirements are that you are 13-23 years of age and have the availability to commit to these positions.

Available Positions

  • 20 spots left – Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Member: Responsible for attending weekly meetings and providing input on past, current, and future TCI programs, systems, and resources. 1-3 hours per week
  • Spots Filled – YAC Co-Chair: Serves as a liaison between the YAC and TCI staff and engages in additional leadership opportunities. 1-5 hours per week
  • 2 spots left – TCI Board Member: Holds the same responsibilities as a YAC Member (stated above), serves on the TCI Board, and liaises among and between the YAC, TCI staff, and TCI board. 1-5 hours per week

Key Dates
Youth Advisory Council Members + Co-Chairs
Term Dates: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 – Thursday, August 31, 2023
Applications Opened: Thursday, March 10
Applications Close: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 by 11:59pm PT

Member of the TCI Board of Directors
Term Dates: 3 years from the start date (Fall or Winter 2022)
Applications Opened: Thursday, March 10
Application Close: Wednesday, August 31 by 11:59pm PT
*Please note that Board Members are also members of the YAC, and that term begins by September.

Application Materials

  • Written response (2-3 paragraphs)
    • What kinds of projects have you led or been a part of? Tell us about your role in campaigns or projects to shape a healthier planet and mobilize people for climate action. If your experience is in leading non-climate-related work, that is okay. 
  • Short video (2-3 minutes) 
    • Tell us why you want to be part of the YAC and/or Board. Please share the link to your video below (YouTube, Google Drive, etc.). 
  • Resume/CV
  • LinkedIn/Portfolio URL (optional)

Benefits 

  • Skill-building and climate education workshops and sessions
  • Engagement with thought leaders 
  • Opportunity to serve as a community leader with mentorship from The Climate Initiative
  • Joining a community of like-minded youth
  • Shaping organizational strategy to best serve youth

Meeting Cadence

  • YAC members meet weekly, as needed
  • YAC Co-Chairs will also meet biweekly or weekly with the Youth Engagement Manager, Pooja Tilvawala, as needed
  • Board Members join the weekly YAC meetings, and quarterly Board of Directors meetings

If you are interested in applying, please click below:

Apply Now

All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, please email our Youth Engagement Manager, Pooja Tilvawala, at
pooja@theclimateinitiative.org