Career Opportunities
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Status: Part Time 2023-2024
Location: San Francisco, California
Reports to: Chief Academic Officer
School Description:
At Life Learning Academy, we believe that every single kid deserves relentless love, accountability, and the chance to make a good life. For the past 23 years, we’ve provided an innovative, student-centered alternative to large public high schools for Bay Area students who have been failed by traditional educational models. We believe that when our students become immersed in a community of mutual respect and accountability, they surpass everyone’s expectations. This belief is supported by our 92% average graduation rate.
We are about to celebrate a quarter century of success, and are entering this milestone with ambitious plans to scale our model to reach even more students. Our model includes on-campus, no-cost housing in our dormitory for up to 24 students. We offer ongoing transitional services for our alumni. We serve up to 60 students per year in the school, and maintain a 1:8 teacher to student ratio with 6-8 students per class. We utilize a block schedule model for extended instructional periods Monday-Thursday. On Fridays, we support students through our workforce development programming. Teachers teach 3 classes per term carrying a student load of no more than 24 students. Teachers have the freedom to create curriculum based on student needs and interests.
Position Summary:
We are seeking an enthusiastic Language teacher with proficiency in one of the following languages (Spanish, Mandarin, ASL), who is passionate about working with youth of all skill levels. We are looking for someone to teach 1-2 introductory classes this Spring.
Desired qualifications:
All employees must possess an unshakable faith in students' abilities to learn and to develop healthy, productive, independent lives; and each staff member must demonstrate the talent, energy and commitment necessary to help transform those individual abilities into a collective reality.
Other Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or relevant field experience
- Be a University Intern or Possess a CA Teaching Credential (Multiple Subjects or Single Subject / Provisional Internship Permits accepted)
- Some experience in classroom or working with youth (instruction at the high school level is preferred)
- Commitment to supporting the needs of disconnected and system-involved youth
- Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills
- Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
- Competency with Google Docs and Google Classroom
- Criminal Justice Clearance: required
- COVID Vaccinated
Desired skills, experience, and dispositions for LLA teachers:
- Encourages a culture of mutual respect and equitable practice
- Demonstrates content knowledge
- Commitment to understanding student academic needs and catering instruction to meet those specific needs
- Supports students’ social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs
- Implements Project-Based Learning techniques and strategies
- Facilitates and designs effective group work & independent learning opportunities
- Provides timely feedback and collaborates with faculty to offer specialized support
- Showcases student work within the local and wider school community
- Scaffolds instructional activities that facilitate engaging and appropriate learning opportunities
Compensation and Benefits: Competitive, Hiring & Relocation bonuses available, based on experience and market standard. We provide a retirement plan through TIAA-CREF and not CalSTRS.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for every person on campus: LLA is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse staff and inclusive work environment. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, and immigrants are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply: Send a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and a resume to
Status: Part Time 2023-2024
Location: San Francisco, California
Reports to: Chief Academic Officer
School Description:
At Life Learning Academy, we believe that every single kid deserves relentless love, accountability, and the chance to make a good life. For the past 23 years, we’ve provided an innovative, student-centered alternative to large public high schools for Bay Area students who have been failed by traditional educational models. We believe that when our students become immersed in a community of mutual respect and accountability, they surpass everyone’s expectations. This belief is supported by our 92% average graduation rate.
We are about to celebrate a quarter century of success, and are entering this milestone with ambitious plans to scale our model to reach even more students. Our model includes on-campus, no-cost housing in our dormitory for up to 24 students. We offer ongoing transitional services for our alumni. We serve up to 60 students per year in the school, and maintain a 1:8 teacher to student ratio with 6-8 students per class. We utilize a block schedule model for extended instructional periods Monday-Thursday. On Fridays, we support students through our workforce development programming. Teachers teach 3 classes per term carrying a student load of no more than 24 students. Teachers have the freedom to create curriculum based on student needs and interests.
Position Summary:
We seek an enthusiastic Teacher/Instructor with experience in bike mechanics and the technical aspects of bicycling activities. The teacher should be passionate about working with youth of all levels to inspect, diagnose problems, troubleshoot, repair, and test bicycles using various tools and equipment; encourage and model behavioral expectations: Respect, Own your actions, Attitude counts, Discipline, and Safety (R.O.A.D.S).
Desired qualifications:
All employees must possess an unshakable faith in students' abilities to learn and to develop healthy, productive, independent lives; and each staff member must demonstrate the talent, energy and commitment necessary to help transform those individual abilities into a collective reality. The bike tech teacher is expected to maintain a safe environment; motivate pupils to develop attitudes and knowledge that will help them reach their potential; be prepared for higher levels of education, differentiate curriculum, and use effective research-based methods of instruction.
Other Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or relevant field experience
- Some experience in classroom or working with youth (instruction at the high school level is preferred)
- Commitment to supporting the needs of disconnected and system-involved youth
- Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills
- Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
- Competency with Google Docs and Google Classroom
- Criminal Justice Clearance: required
- COVID Vaccinated
Desired skills, experience, and dispositions for LLA teachers:
- Encourages a culture of mutual respect and equitable practice
- Demonstrates content knowledge
- Commitment to understanding student academic needs and catering instruction to meet those specific needs
- Supports students’ social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs
- Implements Project-Based Learning techniques and strategies
- Facilitates and designs effective group work & independent learning opportunities
- Provides timely feedback and collaborates with faculty to offer specialized support
- Showcases student work within the local and wider school community
- Scaffolds instructional activities that facilitate engaging and appropriate learning opportunities
- Able to perform bicycle mechanic tasks proficiently - including but not limited to flat fixing, cable and housing replacement, chain installation and sizing for geared and single-speed bikes, brake adjustment for standard brake types (rim & disc), and shifter adjustments and set-up for standard Shimano and SRAM shifter/derailleur systems.
- Ensure that bicycle repairs are done to an excellent standard of safety and functionality.
Compensation and Benefits: Competitive, Hiring & Relocation bonuses available, based on experience and market standard.We provide a retirement plan through TIAA-CREF and not CalSTRS.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for every person on campus: LLA is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse staff and inclusive work environment. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, and immigrants are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply: Send a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and a resume to
Status: FTE, part-time available
Location: Treasure Island, Sacramento, San Francisco City and County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County; possibility to work remotely several days/week
Reports to: Co-Executive Director overseeing government affairs
School Description:
At Life Learning Academy, we believe that every single kid deserves relentless love, accountability, and the chance to make a good life. For the past 24 years, we’ve provided an innovative, student-centered alternative to large public high schools for Bay Area students who have been failed by traditional educational models. We believe that when our students become immersed in a community of mutual respect and accountability, they surpass everyone’s expectations. This belief is supported by our 92% average graduation rate. We are about to celebrate a quarter century of success, and are entering this milestone with ambitious plans to spread our model across California to reach even more students.
Position Summary:
The Director of Policy and Advocacy is an experienced leader who will work with leadership to position Life Learning Academy for successful strategic plan execution. The Director of Policy and Advocacy will work with co-Executive Directors to develop the organization’s policy and advocacy goals, and is responsible for managing, executing, and implementing Life Learning Academy’s state and local policy agenda.The Director of Policy and Advocacy will advance policies and practices that remove barriers for Life Learning Academy students, and help to create a policy environment that prioritizes resources for system-involvement prevention and early intervention for youth.
The Director of Policy and Advocacy will conduct research and analysis, contribute to issue briefs, represent the organization at stakeholder meetings, and work in coalition with other agencies and advocates to shape and move a policy and advocacy agenda supporting the success of Life Learning Academy students and students like them throughout California. The Director of Policy and Advocacy is responsible for effectively engaging government and community leaders, Life Learning Academy leadership and staff, external stakeholders, and youth leaders in advancing policies to accomplish our mission.
The Director of Policy and Advocacy will provide support to the co-Executive Directors and Board in evaluating and shaping Life Learning Academy’s federal, state, and local policy agenda. They will provide research, analysis, and expert recommendations to support the development and execution of a policy and advocacy strategy.
Responsibilities:
- Offer expertise, guidance, and staffing to co-Executive Directors, policy experts on LLA’s Board of Directors, and real estate development and design volunteers to propel conversation with City stakeholders, such as TIDA, regarding future site identification on Treasure Island
- Work closely with the co-Executive Directors and Board Directors to develop, articulate, and implement a strategic direction for policy and advocacy development and systems change in Bay Area Counties and California
- Support the design and execution of a county-based policy and advocacy agenda to support sustainable program delivery, especially focusing on San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties
- Track and analyze state legislative and regulatory issues that affect Life Learning Academy students and students like them across the state. Recognize and elevate initiatives that may directly or indirectly impact youth at LLA
- Identify initiatives where Life Learning Academy can play a strategic role.
- Communicate initiatives and Life Learning Academy’s participation cross-functionally within Life Learning, including with the Strategy, Communications, Development, and Program leadership
- Respond to key policy initiatives on behalf of Life Learning Academy. Prepare data analysis, issue briefs, policy memos, and presentations as needed for a variety of stakeholder audiences, including LLA leadership and Board. Ensure that Life Learning Academy’s policy positions and recommendations in the Bay Area counties and California are consistent with its organizational strategy and priorities, including a laser focus on LLA students and students like them
- Coordinate and collaborate across departments to ground policy and advocacy work in practical experience, data, and research
- Professionally and effectively represent the agency to external stakeholders, including government agencies, the policy and advocacy communities, academia, the media, and other service providers. Utilize external meetings, stakeholder workgroups, conferences and speaking engagements to advance Life Learning Academy’s presence in the policy landscape
- Actively participate in relevant policy and advocacy implementation work groups and engage in regulatory advocacy alongside partners
- Serve as liaison with staff and leadership by regularly sharing policy changes that impact how they do their work and collaborating on ways to leverage systems change opportunities in order to improve outcomes for youth at LLA
- Provide policy analysis and research to support Life Learning Academy’s replication, technical assistance, and spread efforts across the state
- Establish a cohort of youth ambassadors to engage in and support Life Learning Academy's policy and advocacy efforts. Create a process for selecting, training and supporting a group of 5-10 youth each year to serve in this capacity
Qualifications and competencies
- At least three years’ experience developing and advancing effective practice-based policies and strategies on a local, state, or national level in one or more of the following policy areas: child welfare/foster care, youth justice, education, workforce development, homelessness eradication and/or anti-poverty work
- Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and advancing a strategic policy agenda
- Excellent research, problem solving, and writing skills
- Ability to summarize complex arguments clearly, succinctly, and accurately. Ability to stimulate and contribute constructively to debates on complex and controversial issues
- Ability to situate the mission and priorities of Life Learning Academy within the larger political context and make recommendations that align with the organization's values while advancing LLA’s contribution to relevant discussions
- Ability to work with a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, legislators and other public decision-makers, community partners, and young people. Cultural and political sensitivity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships. Proven experience in leveraging relationships to achieve policy and advocacy goals. Ability to build coalitions
- Exemplary teamwork and an understanding of the importance of cross-functional collaboration internally and externally
- Understanding of the social sector landscape, in particular the systems and barriers facing vulnerable youth and young adults
- Interpersonal charisma, including public speaking ability and the ability to inspire Life Learning Academy staff and students
- Ability to anticipate and analyze opportunities, define risks and objectives, and formulate effective strategies and messages
- Sets clear goals, uses data to evaluate progress towards goals
- Willingness to receive feedback and insights as opportunities to learn, encourage dialog, and model leadership through accountability
- Proof of vaccination required
- Background check required
LLA is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse staff and inclusive work environment. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation: $100,000 for FTE, health/vision/dental benefits, 401K, free on-site parking, and daily lunch prepared by our students
How to Apply: Send a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and a resume to .