Fellowship Program

 

Join the CA Youth Vs Big Oil Fellowship Program
Call for Applications!

California Youth Versus Big Oil (CA YVBO), in partnership with the Central California Environmental Justice Network are launching our next round of the exciting California Youth Versus Big Oil Fellowship Program! We will be offering mentorships and financial support to one youth leader (aged 14 - 24).

Preference is for currently or recently active youth in the CA Youth Versus Big Oil network, but those with experience in other environmental or climate justice groups or strong interest in environmental or climate justice issues are encouraged to apply!

Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN) will hire two fellows to work on CA YVBO related projects for five hours a week over three months. Fellows will receive $1080 each as well as mentorship and supervision with an organizer assigned to them from CCEJN. 

We will be accepting applications until 10/29/2025.

The fellowship would begin on 11/03/2025 and end 02/03/2026.

Expectations for Fellows:

  • • Fellows will work on CA YVBO related projects, focusing on social media and outreach,  for 5 hours per week over 3 months for a  total of 20 hours per month, or 60 hours over 3 months. 

    • Fellows will receive $1080, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Fellows will be paid at an hourly  pre-tax rate of $18/hour. 

    • The Fellows will be hired by CCEJN and will be assigned a program mentor to discuss work plans and provide support during bi-weekly check-in meetings. 

    • Fellows will join and participate in bi-weekly CA YVBO coordination team meetings and/or  regional team meetings. They will also join bi-weekly training sessions created by CA YVBO.  These coordination team meetings currently occur bi-weekly on Friday @ 10AM.

    • Workstreams and priority tasks will be collectively identified by the CA YVBO  coordination team, Fellows, and their mentors each week.

Criteria for Applicants:

  • The applicant shows their dedication and capability to contribute a minimum of 5 hours per week, or 20 hours per month, over the course of three months towards CA YVBO-related projects. 

    • Applicant is, or agrees to be, a member of the CA YVBO coordination team and/or a  regional team coordinator.

    • We’re looking for applicants who reside in the Central Valley area of California.

    • The applicant shows their enthusiasm and capability to help bring in, mentor, and provide assistance to new members, guiding them towards leadership roles within the coalition.

    • The applicant creates and posts social media content regularly with ideas and feedback from the coordination team.

    • The applicant creates an outreach plan and directory to invite new groups and youth to join our biweekly training and/or coordination team meetings.

    • The applicant consistently meets deadlines and excels in collaborative team settings.

    • The applicant shows enthusiasm and genuine excitement for contributing to the campaign objectives of the CAYVBO coalition. 

    • Applicants are encouraged to have prior involvement in the CAYVBO coalition, experience in collaborating with one of the existing CAYVBO coalition partner organizations (you can find the list of coalition members here), or a background in youth environmental or climate justice groups.

    • Young people of color, young people from frontline communities, and youth between the  ages of 14-18 are strongly and enthusiastically encouraged to apply! Individuals may be up to the age of 24 to apply. 

    • If selected for the Fellowship, applicants under the age of 18 must have formal written  consent from their parent or guardian to participate in the program.

Application Instructions:

  • Please submit EITHER a short video (roughly 3 minutes) OR a 1-page letter to the CA  YVBO applications team. The letter or video should do the following: 

    • Tell us about your background and why you would like to participate in the fellowship  program. 

    • Tell us about what you would like to learn, or skills you would like to gain, from  participating in the program. 

    • Tell us about activities or actions you would be especially excited to provide support on as a Fellow. (Banner drops, writing OP-eds, Organizing rallies, participating in phone banks, etc.) 

    • Tell us how the stipend and mentorship would help you take on more leadership and  responsibilities in the coalition. 

    Please send your applications to cayouthvsbigoil@gmail.com and CC ivan.ortiz@ccejn.org

    Please submit your application no later than 5pm Pacific Time on 10/29/2025