JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Bikemobile Bike Mechanic & Educator 0-30hrs/wk
–Spanish Speaking–
Cycles of Change is looking for a special individual to help us deliver the Bikemobile; an innovative new program designed to help youth use their bikes more often.
About Cycles of Change:
Cycles of Change is a 13 year old, collectively run, non-profit dedicated to creating healthier East Bay communities by helping youth and adults gain tools for more environmentally and economically sustainable living through school-based bicycle education, job training, watershed education, and community earn-a-bike programs. Please visit: www.cyclesofchange.org to find out more about us.
About The Bikemobile and Safe Routes To Schools:
Cycles of Change is running a brand new program called the Bikemobile, paid for by federal and local Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) funds. SR2S is an international movement to create opportunities for children to walk, bicycle, and take transit to and from schools, with a particular emphasis on low-income schools. SR2S is intended to reverse the alarming trend toward childhood obesity and inactivity and to reduce the production of green house gas emissions that lead to global warming. Cycles of Change is assisting with the effort in Alameda County to adapt the SR2S program, which has succeeded in more affluent suburban settings, to serve a more diverse urban population. Visit http://transformca.org/sr2s to find out more about the existing countywide Safe Routes To Schools program.
The Bikemobile will be one of many resources that the Alameda County SR2S Partnership will offer in addition to: Bike Safety Classes (which Cycles of Change also runs), Puppet Show Assemblies, Walking School Buses, and Walk and Roll to School events. The Bikemobile will visit K-12 schools, recreation centers, parks, and other community events. It will act as a mobile repair station complete with tools and parts and will teach youth of all ages how to make bike repairs. Bikemobile staff will teach bike repair through hands on demonstration, promote bike safety, and encourage students to embrace cycling by offering useful giveaways and engaging students in other fun activities.
About You:
Cycles Of Change seeks an energetic, friendly, creative, flexible, organized individual with good communication and mechanic skills to implement the Bikemobile program throughout Alameda County with a focus on serving low-income communities. In the company of the Program Coordinator, the Mechanics Educator will make site visits across Alameda County with 90% of their time and will assist in coordinating other aspects of the program with the remaining 10% of their time. The Mechanics Educator will wear many hats, such as the; Rapid and Resourceful Mechanic, Engaging Educator, and Programmatic and Organizational Ambassador.
The Bikemobile will serve high, middle, and low-income communities across Alameda County. Staff must be comfortable working with privileged and underprivileged youth. Many visits will be made to low-come neighborhoods and parks in East and West Oakland where Bikemobile Staff may be the only adults present. Bikemobile staff must be able to proactively and responsibly engage youth from all neighborhoods while maintaining his or her own boundaries and personal safety. Staff will be responsible for creating a safe, fun, and positive learning environment for everyone involved. Staff are responsible for their own transportation to sites across Alameda County. We often carpool, but we cannot guarantee transportation.
Required Qualifications:
A commitment to Cycles of Change’s values of caring, honesty, respect, community building, social justice and environmental stewardship;
At least 6 months of experience educating youth from low income communities;
At least 1 year of experience repairing bikes in a shop setting, or equivalent experience;
High proficiency in Spanish;
Familiarity with the diverse communities of Alameda County;
The ability to work a flexible schedule;
Physical ability to lift 40 pounds;
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in a emergency situation;
Ability to adequately observe participants in activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate management techniques;
Sensitivity and understanding of issues facing low-income communities; ability to work comfortably in diverse communities and settings;
Proficiency with email.
Personal qualities such as: a positive attitude, good judgment, self-management, dependability, patience, respect for peers and youth, and a passion for teaching.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience coordinating events and programs;
A solid understanding and practice of bicycle commuting and safety;
Nonviolent communication, constructive criticism, and active listening skills; and
A history of good working relationships with diverse populations, communities, and organizations in Alameda County.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, or similar programs;
Responsibilities
Positively represent program to partners and the general public;
Assist Program Coordinators in creating and refining implementation strategies;
Assist with training and directing program volunteers.
Attend specified Cycles of Change meetings, trainings, peer reviews and events.
Teach youth maintenance through hands on demonstration;
Promote bike safety with educational materials;
Encourage youth to ride to school using a positive attitude, helpful information, and giveaway incentives;
Administer surveys to participants;
Appropriately handle and follow up on student, staff, or volunteer conflicts; and
Organize program materials as needed;
This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive. It is understood that the employee will also perform other reasonable related duties if requested. This position description is not a written or an implied contract. It will be reviewed periodically and may be revised if deemed necessary. Performance reviews will be conducted annually or biannually but do not necessarily constitute an increase in pay.
Hours and Compensation
The position can vary from 0-30 hours a week depending on the season. We average 3-4 site visits a week during peak season (April-June/Sept-Nov) and 0-2 visits a week during the slow season (July-Aug/Dec-Mar). Site visits lasts 3-6 hours and are scheduled Tue-Sun. Because of the nature of the position, staff are not required to be available to work all events. Pay rate starts at $18 and is dependent on experience. No benefits are offered at this time.
Start Date
Mid to late April, 2013.
How to Apply
Interested individuals are invited to email a cover letter, resume, and answers to our questions to: HYPERLINK “mailto:hiring@cyclesofchange.org” hiring@cyclesofchange.org. Please put “Bikemobile Mechanic” in the subject line of the email. We will only review applications including responses to the questions.
Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Experience repairing bikes.
Experience working with youth, specifically in low-income neighborhoods.
Experience working as part of a team.
Familiarity with the diverse communities of Alameda County.
Quality of cover letter, resume, answers to questions (see below) & in-person interview.
In your resume or cover letter please specify the number of hour per week AND the number of weeks per year worked at jobs relevant to the above fields
We check references, and all staff are fingerprinted and must have a TB test.
Attachments should be in Word or PDF format, titled as follows:
lastname_firstname_resume.doc
lastname_firstname_coverletter.doc
Cycles of Change is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is open until filled. To see if the position is still available, please go to www.cyclesofchange.org and check if it is still listed in the “Jobs” section of our website.
Job Description Application Questions:
1. Can you carry on a 10 minute conversation with someone who speaks Spanish as their 1st language?
2. What experience do you have working with 8-18 year olds from diverse backgrounds, specifically in an outdoor setting.
3. How long have you been riding and what kind of riding do you do (commuting, recreational, touring, etc).
4. In detail please explain your experience as a bike mechanic. Do you have any limitations with regards to certain repairs?
5. Are there any repairs you would not feel capable of teaching to someone else?
6. What additional skills/assistance will you need in order to be successful in this position?
7. Describe your familiarity with the diverse communities of Alameda County.
8. What is your experience engaging with collectives and/or collectively run projects?
