An East Bay Youth Bicycle Program
Cycles of Change works to improve the health and sustainability of our neighborhoods by increasing the use of bicycles as transportation, connecting youth with the extraordinary living systems of our local area, and building a diverse community of visionary young leaders. The organization began in 1998 at Roosevelt Middle School in East Oakland and has grown steadily to sites in Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley. Cycles’ programs are as follows:
- Beginners Urban Riding: Teaches the basics of safe urban riding to small groups of new students and community members, while connecting them with their local environment.
- Community Bike Shops: Makes healthy and reliable transportation accessible to all through their earn-a-bike programs, tools and advice for people fixing their bikes, repair classes, and safe riding instruction.
- Safe Routes to School: Educates elementary school students in safe riding techniques, so that they can build the skills and confidence to bike safely to school.
- Advanced field trips program: Connects youth and community members to places of ecological, historical, and cultural significance, expanding the dimensions of their world.
- Urban Sustainability Program: We developed a six-week course for science classes called “Watershed Guides”
By taking part in Cycles’ programs, youth and adults gain strong and lasting connections to the living world and the larger community. These connections become a foundation for reshaping the relationships between people and land to make our urban neighborhoods healthy and sustainable.
Cycles of Change – Winners of the 2009 Bay Area Heroes award and Oaklandish Innovators of Oakland award
Bay Area Heroes 2009: Cycles of Change »
2009 Oaklandish Innovators of Oakland
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Job Opportunities
We presently have two job openings. Please see below.
Assistant Coordinator, Safe Routes to School
Bicycle Safety Educator, Safe Routes to School
Assistant Coordinator for Safe Routes to School “Drive Your Bike”
Cycles of Change is a 12 year old, collectively run, non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of East Bay residents through a variety of bicycle programs. The Safe Routes to School “Drive Your Bike” Program serves Elementary and Middle Schools in Berkeley, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Alameda, Albany, Livermore and Unincorporated areas of Alameda County by teaching a 6 hour Bike Safety Curriculum to classes of 20-40 students during and after school. The assistant coordinator’s time will be divided between the following: 30% email/phone communication, 30% teaching bike safety, and 40% program development and planning. This person must be able to communicate with state agencies, school administrators, local government officials, teachers, parents, students and the general public in a professional, cooperative manner. Visit for more information about this program.
Requirements
- A passion for bicycle safety education
- 1 year of experience working with youth
- 1 year of program coordination experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Computer proficiency in Excel, Word & Power point
- Must be physically able to: lift 40 lbs, ride 10 miles, and teach outdoors for 8hrs.
- Intermediate bicycle repair experience
- Ability to work 11 months out of the year
- Ability to manage other staff comfortably, respectfully, and honestly.
Desired Qualities
- Self direction and problem solving skills.
- A flexible schedule able to accommodate working evenings and occasional weekends
- Ability to work up to 12 hours a day (6-8 hours a day on average)
- A Bachelor’s degree and work experience in a related field.
- Experience in Alameda County’s public education system.
- Experience in Program Development and Contract Negotiation
- Proficiency in Spanish
- CPR Certification
- Advanced bike repair experience
Pay rate and Benefits
This is a 15-40 hr/wk position that averages 30hrs/wk. Pay is hourly and depends on experience. Health Insurance is included.
Application deadline
Submit a Resume and Cover Letter to safecycles@gmail.com by September 15th, 2010. Qualified applicants will be interviewed between September 18th and September 28th. Start date is flexible.
Note: People of Color Strongly Encouraged to Apply!
Bicycle Safety Educator, Safe Routes to School “Drive Your Bike”
Cycles of Change is a 12 year old, collectively run, non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of East Bay residents through a variety of bicycle programs. The Safe Routes to School “Drive Your Bike” Program serves Elementary and Middle Schools in Berkeley, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Alameda, Albany, Livermore and Unincorporated areas of Alameda County by teaching a 6 hour Bike Safety Curriculum to classes of 20-40 students during and after school. In addition to training students, the success of the program rests on our staff’s ability to train School Teachers to run the program themselves. “Visit”: http://www.cyclesofchange.org/programs/safe-routes-to-school for more info.
Responsibilities
- Teach the curriculum in the classroom, on the blacktop, and on the road.
- Coach School Teachers on how to teach the curriculum in the future.
- Maintain students’ physical and emotional safety.
- Maintain security, organization, and functionality of bicycles and equipment at each site.
- Haul bicycle fleets and equipment from storage sites to schools sites.
- Ensure paperwork such as permissions slips, helmet order forms, and written student tests are distributed and collected.
- De-escalate emergencies and administer 1st aid if necessary.
- Problem solve ways to integrate the program in each unique school setting.
- Work cooperatively with Program Directors, School Teachers, and other Bike Safety Educators
Qualifications & Desired Qualities
We are looking for an individual with:
- Experience working with East Bay youth and schools
- A solid understanding and practice of bicycle commuting, safety, and mechanics
- The ability to speak loudly for prolonged amounts of time indoors and outdoors
- Non-violent communication, constructive criticism, and active listening skills
- Personal qualities such as a positive attitude, good intuition, self-management, dependability, patience, respect for peers and youth, and a passion for teaching.
Work Schedule
The work schedule is variable and last minute. Middle Schools will be 7:30am-3:30pm, 4 days a week, for 3-5 week blocks. After school programs will be 2:30-5pm for 3 days a week for 1-3 week blocks. There can be long stretches without any work. Schools can cancel and reschedule. Be aware, this job does not provide a guaranteed regular income. There is about 400+ hrs. of work for this Fall/Spring. You do not have to be available for every shift in order to be eligible for this position, but priority will be given to those who are most available. This work would be ideal for someone who also has another job with a flexible schedule.
Compensation
DOE. $18-21 / hour + paid travel time from Downtown Oakland Bart to School Site.
Send Cover Letter & Resume to
E-Mail: safecycles@gmail.com
Applications will be accepted through September 15th, 2010. Qualified applicants will be interviewed between September 18th and 28th. Start date is flexible.
Note: People of Color Strongly Encouraged to Apply!