Program Associate

Role: Program AssociateClassification: Part-Time (16 hours/week), Non-Exempt, At-WillCompensation: $21-$25/hourDates: August 1, 2026 – May 30, 2027Reports to: Program CoordinatorRole OverviewThe Program Associate is a key support role within Chapter 510's youth programs. This position works closely with Teaching Artists and program staff to help create joyful, organized, and supportive learning environments for Oakland youth. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with young people, is highly organized, collaborative, and excited about creative writing, publishing, arts education, and community-centered work. The Program Associate supports programs both at Westlake Middle School and at Chapter 510's community arts center in downtown Oakland. Responsibilities include classroom support, youth mentorship, documentation, outreach, program logistics, and helping maintain our creative spaces. This position plays an especially important role in supporting our Westlake Writers' Room, a dedicated creative writing and publishing space where middle school students explore storytelling, poetry, identity, and book arts.CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING APPROACHOur programs are grounded in a Culturally Responsive Teaching Approach inspired by Zaretta Hammond and our pedagogy partners, Studio Pathways. All curriculum centers the work of writers of color and integrates arts-based frameworks to support diverse learning styles and ways of knowing.About Chapter 510MissionChapter 510 connects youth to the power of their story.We provide a safe space for youth to bravely write, centering Black, brown and queer voices.VisionEvery young person in Oakland writes with confidence and joy.ValuesWe are youth-centered.We create programs for kids and teens ages 8-19. We center youth imagination, identity, and experience as an integral part of our curriculum and our community space.We create lasting impact.We build in-depth, long-term programming that helps form multi-year relationships with students, educators, volunteers, donors, and partners to create lasting impact in our students' lives.We center play & imagination.We value play and imagination as essential to learning, fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, empathy, and connection.We are strength-based.We believe that every young person has brilliance within them. We create an affirming and culturally competent space for young people to grow and become agents of change.We are Oakland-centered.We prioritize Oakland youth, schools, artists, and vendors. We build connections between the city's diverse communities, individuals, and organizations around arts and culture.We create safe & brave spaces.We cultivate a space where young people of diverse backgrounds can express their full selves in an environment of care and compassion. We hold safe space for queer and BIPOC youth to bravely write.We are committed to Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.We are an anti-hate and anti-discrimination organization that fosters a space of belonging through the arts and education. We follow culturally responsive practices in teaching and publishing. We prioritize publishing youth of color in programs led by paid artists of color who reflect the communities we serve.Position DetailsProgram Associate DutiesClassroom & Program SupportSupport Teaching Artists during workshops and after-school programsHelp set up and clean up classrooms and creative spacesAssist students during writing and bookmaking activitiesSupport classroom culture, conflict resolution, and student engagementHelp facilitate lunch-time literary arts clubs and workshopsProvide one-on-one student support when neededStep in to support sessions if mentors or facilitators are absentProgram OperationsTrack attendance for students and mentorsHelp organize program supplies, materials, snacks, and classroom needsMaintain the cleanliness and organization of the Westlake Writers' RoomSupport program evaluations, celebrations, readings, and publishing eventsAssist with gathering student writing and publication materialsDocumentation & CommunicationsTake photos and document workshops and eventsHelp organize student work, media, and program materialsSupport communication with families and ensure paperwork is completedMaintain organized program folders and recordsOTHER DUTIESCommunity Engagement & EventsPrepare students for public readings and book releases.Attend assigned staff meetings and organizational events.Represent Chapter 510 in public/media opportunities related to the program.Participate in staff retreats (August & January), orientation, and professional development sessions.Shared ResponsibilitiesReset and tidy writers room after each class.Complete paperwork accurately and on time.Engage in direct communication and proactive problem-solving.Other duties as assigned.Chapter 510 RequirementsSpecialty-RelatedExperience working with children and teens between the ages of 8 to 18 in group settingsPassion for creative writing, storytelling, poetry and or book arts and publishingSuccessful completion of TB test and background check (upon job offer)Core Attributes (All Staff)A passion for, and commitment to, Chapter 510's mission and vision, including social, racial, and gender justice (see the employee handbook's Statement of Belonging and Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination sections for more details)Competency to work across lines of difference, including with communities of color, poor and low-income communities, immigrant communities, and other marginalized groupsKindnessIntegrityPatience and diligence to handle tasks with care and attention to detailPunctual, reliable, accountableHighly organized and systematic, with excellent time and project management skillsVersatility and flexibilityAbility to work independently, remotely, and in-person as part of a teamAbility to receive and directly give feedback when facing challenges, the unknown, or dysfunctional dynamics to do with racism (or other isms)Comfortable with respectful disagreement and direct communicationCommitted to self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-growthAbility to assess your work, dynamics, and make decisions with a racial justice lensComputer-literate, with basic skills in word processing, spreadsheets, web/email applications, and other work-related applications; Macintosh knowledge preferredComfortable engaging with members of the public, on-site or in the retail storeAbility to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplaceBilingual with English-Spanish skills a plusLogistical & LegalBased in or near Oakland (within 30 miles), with the ability to commute to our Oakland locationMust have a working cell phone with a data plan and a working home internet connection with adequate speedBecause of the job duties of this position, a criminal background check will be required as a condition of an employment offer; Chapter 510 keeps all background checks confidential per law and only acts upon findings relevant to job functions; please speak to HR for further details.COMPENSATION$21-$25/hourSCHEDULE16 hours/week, starting August 2025.Must be available during the school day.Tuesdays 10AM–3PM (5 Hours)Wednesdays 11AM–5PM (6 Hours)Thursdays 10AM–3PM (5 Hours)APPLYApplications due June 2, 2026Send cover letter and resume to jahan@chapter510.orgA Note on How We Hire at Chapter 510Chapter 510 is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from individuals representative of the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any protected category under the law.We are committed to a hiring process that is clear, collaborative, and rooted in our values of racial justice, youth voice, and liberatory education.Access Needs Welcome We are happy to make reasonable accommodations at any stage of the process. Please feel free to reach out if you have any access needs, such as interpretation, mobility support, or interview flexibility. We believe hiring should reflect the community we serve. That means we especially welcome applications from Black, Brown, Indigenous, disabled, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and youth-rooted educators.If you have questions about a role, feel free to reach out to jahan@chapter510.org before applying.