California Student Parent Engagement & Policy Fellow

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Young Invincibles (YI) believes student parents deserve a seat at every table where decisions about higher education are made. We are seeking a California Student Parent Engagement & Policy Fellow to help build a stronger movement for student parents across California while developing valuable leadership skills. The fellowship begins August 26, 2026 and concludes December 31, 2026. This is a temporary, part-time, hybrid position requiring up to 19 hours per week at $20 per hour, with one day per week in the office and occasional travel throughout Southern California.

The Student Parent Engagement & Policy Fellow will help build a stronger community for student parents across California. Reporting to the California Director, the Fellow will connect with other parenting students, support events and outreach, share stories that inspire change, and help advance policies that make it easier for student parents to succeed in college.

This is an excellent opportunity for a current student parent passionate about advocacy, youth leadership, and systems change who wants to gain real-world experience in nonprofit program and policy implementation and community engagement.

The ideal candidate is someone with lived or professional experience in navigating school and work as a student parent and who has experience in youth leadership, organizing, public policy, education, health, or nonprofit work. They are a thoughtful collaborator, a strong communicator, and passionate about amplifying the voices of young adults and student parents in California. In accordance with funding guidelines, this fellowship opportunity is designed to support peer-led services and prioritizes candidates with authentic lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver navigating the challenges facing the families we serve

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Co-create and execute three regional listening sessions in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Inland Empire. Develop comprehensive findings and recommendations for Young Invincibles’ engagement in this space.

• Analyze current policies impacting student parents and evaluate local implementation of policies like the GAINS Act (2024).

• Develop and facilitate a stream of the annual State of Young California Conference focused on student parent needs and opportunities.

• Support the Engagement Coordinator in planning student parent-centered programming and events.

• Work with the communications team in the development of student parent/young adult story collections, communications, and content creation for engagement and advocacy efforts.

• Inform the organization’s 2027 policy agenda as it relates to supporting and uplifting student and working parents.

• Serve as the lead liaison to the Student Parent Alliance.

• Assist with basic administrative tasks such as data entry, meeting notetaking, and other related tasks.

• Collaborate with partner organizations, coalitions, and community groups to disseminate information and build/strengthen relationships.

• Organize and facilitate on-the-ground events, interactive workshops, and training to educate groups of young people on relevant information related to supporting young adults with dependents, such as Child Tax Credits, health insurance literacy, and higher education resources.

• Attend weekly California Region team meetings.

• Other duties as assigned, within the scope of a part-time, 19-hour-per-week role.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• A passion for Young Invincibles’ mission of amplifying young adult voices in public policy.

• Openness to learning new skills and working collaboratively.

• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• Some experience in programming, curriculum design, facilitation, or event planning.

• Comfort facilitating in virtual and in-person settings.

• Strong writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Cultural humility and a commitment to working with diverse communities, especially parenting students, BIPOC, rural, and LGBTQIA+ youth.

• Interest in youth engagement, public policy, or nonprofit program work.

• Applicants possess reliable transportation and be able to travel throughout Southern California as necessary for job duties. Travel to the Bay Area will be provided by Young Invincibles.

THE FOLLOWING ARE A PLUS BUT NOT A REQUIREMENT:

• Be a student parent or have experience in navigating work or school as a parent.

• Familiarity with California state policy landscape.

• Familiarity with California’s higher education landscape and institutional relationships.

• Ability and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to thrive on change, innovation, and teamwork.