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< Back to Open Positions Co-Director of Engagement Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before February 28th, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE About the Role We seek a driven and enthusiastic Co-Director of Engagement to join our Engagement Team. This is a great opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities: Work closely and coordinate with the other Co-Director of Engagement to manage the Engagement Team of 5 Strategize the direction of OTTA United’s marketing and branding efforts Set objectives and plans to create consistent engagement content for the community Lead the development of the following marketing channels: press releases, emails, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube), and website Assist in planning events to drive membership and donorship Learn how to navigate MailChimp, Meta Manager, and Google Ads Manager Lead and facilitate weekly team meetings Lead bi-weekly one-on-one check-ins with Engagement team members Attend weekly Directors’ meetings What We Offer: The Co-Director of Engagement's main focus will be learning and applying the trade in a professional setting. Learn how to operate within a non-profit organization, including event logistics, social media management, and team management Develop strong leadership and communication skills Opportunity to work on and apply your skills to real-life marketing projects and gain practical experience Exposure to various marketing strategies, procedures, and systems A chance to develop and showcase your skills and creativity Insight into different areas of marketing Hourly Commitment: 6-12 hours per week, with flexible start and end times to fit your schedule If you are passionate about marketing and have a desire to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply! REQUIREMENTS Requirements: Enrolled in a marketing, communications, or related field of study Strong writing and communication skills Familiarity with social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines Able to work both independently and as part of a team Basic knowledge of graphic design software, such as Canva, is a plus ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION WORK MODALITY & LOCATION The work modality of this role is either hybrid or remote. Work is welcome in person at OTTA United’s office, located in San Diego, California (3252 Holiday Court Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92037), but it is not required. PAY & BENEFITS This position is on a volunteer basis. There is no monetary compensation for this position at this time. OTTA United deeply values the potential for personal and career development and strives to uplift its team members to best position them for their bright futures. Non-monetary benefits include: Tailored work experience and growth to fit your desired career path Letters of recommendation Certified Volunteer Hours, if requested A tight-knit team and community of fellow change-makers OTTA United is a youth-founded, youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. OTTA United values authenticity and passion. We play the role of coalition builders and mentors within our communities, sharing knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. And as a justice-oriented, impact-driven, and people-centered organization, our perspective grounds us with who we serve and the work we do while advancing our mission. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Here are some things to keep in mind: Our team values flexibility and taking initiative over structure and top-down delegation. This philosophy is not a good fit for all, so we want to be clear upfront. If you thrive in dynamic, open environments, this is the place for you. We value meaningful impact and support. We seek to authentically serve both our audience and our team members alike. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization are growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve, at all levels of our organization! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow us to be an effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. We prefer personability over professionalism, at least in internal settings. APPLY

< Back OTTA United and community partners host a local candidate forum at UC San Diego Monday, October 24, 2022 Our Time to Act United On Monday, October 24th, OTTA United was pleased to welcome candidates for City Council District 6 and candidates for Office 35 of the San Diego County Superior Court to the Triton's Choice Candidate Forum. Although City Council District 6 candidates Kent Lee and Tommy Hough and Office 35 of the San Diego County Superior Court candidates Rebecca Kanter and Mike Murphy were all invited and confirmed to attend the Triton's Choice Candidate Forum, Tommy Hough and Mike Murphy were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. After all of OTTA United’s hard work and dedication, over 80 tritons were able to come and speak to local San Diego candidates, representing a resounding victory for student engagement in local politics. Leaders from the Youth Voter Engagement Project (YVEP), one of OTTA United’s project initiatives, worked tirelessly to bring this successful UC San Diego candidate forum to fruition. Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, the Project Director and Assistant Project Director of YVEP, provided a space for dialogue between candidates and UC San Diego students so as to encourage mutual interaction and mitigate voter roll-off. According to William K. Hall of Bradley University, voter roll-off refers to “voters who cast ballots in the major partisan race such as president, governor, or U.S. Senator, but who do not cast their votes in [down-ballot elections such as] the judicial election.” Through the space that was provided, elected officials were able to speak about the importance of the city council and superior court races and why students should pay attention to these particular elections, with the intention of bridging any potential gaps in understanding about local candidates and forging confident young voters. Hosted at UC San Diego by OTTA United and our partner student organizations at UC San Diego, we called upon candidates to listen to students’ voices, and local San Diego candidates stepped up to the plate. As we celebrate the success of the Triton’s Choice candidate forum, OTTA will continue to champion student voices and listen to youth needs. Thank you to our collaborators for making this event possible, including: Associated Students of UC San Diego, Office of Local Affairs Graduate & Professional Student Association Seventh College Student Council Eleanor Roosevelt College Student Council Thurgood Marshall College Student Council Next Previous

< Back OP-ED: "More Housing, For Us and Our Climate" by Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director Monday, February 6, 2023 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act (OTTA) United's new Housing Projects Director is making waves. On February 6th, 2023, Nicole Lillie's Op-Ed titled " More Housing, For Us and Our Climate " was published in the UC San Diego Guardian newspaper. In her piece, Housing Projects Director Lillie advocates for more "high-density, multi-family, mixed-use housing" to address both the housing and climate crisis. Housing Crisis Ms. Lillie uses historical data to identify the root cause of housing unaffordability in San Diego and in Southern California. "The ultimate origin of San Diego’s housing crisis is that San Diego has failed to build enough homes overall ... '[b]y one simple measure, San Diego’s lack of homebuilding since 2010 has resulted in 59,000 fewer units than what’s needed to match the population growth in that time.' In order to address the root cause of housing unaffordability and homelessness, we need to build more homes." The status quo in California and across the country holds up single family homes as the solution. But this is a dangerous trend. In fact, single family homes are "rooted in exclusionary housing practices like redlining and racial steering" and are still widely inaccessible to non-white families today. San Diego needs the most effective and economical option: high-density, multi-family, mixed-use housing. Climate Crisis This type of housing also helps us address and combat the climate crisis. Ms. Lillie explains, " 50% of local emissions in the City of San Diego come from transportation. When you build high-density housing near transit, it enables more people to take public transportation instead of personal vehicles. Mixed-use development is also key. This is when you put housing next to commercial buildings. On UC San Diego’s campus, you can study, work, and live — all within a walkable or bikeable distance." In contrast to single family homes, which have higher per capita carbon emissions and reinforce car dependency, high-density and mixed-use are clearly a cleaner choice. OTTA United is proud to be a leader in the housing organizing space in the City of San Diego. Last year, OTTA United helped pass city-wide Community Planning Group reform and pushed high-density housing in University City at a Planning Commission hearing. Housing Projects Director Lillie will continue to trailblaze youth involvement in housing policy and direction in 2023. Read the full Op-Ed here: ucsdguardian.org More Housing, For Us and Our Climate - UCSD Guardian Nicole Lillie is the Housing Projects Director at Our Time to Act United and a second year TMC student studying political science at Next Previous

< Back OTTA United celebrates three new board directors, two youth and one youth ally Sunday, October 9, 2022 Our Time to Act United After confirmation at our October 9th Board Meeting, OTTA United is honored to welcome three new volunteers to our Board of Directors: Leana Cortez, Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & Clean4Kids Board Member Abbey Reuter , Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & current Community Representative for County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher Scott Warren , Co-founder and former CEO of Generation Citizen & current Youth Civic/Political Engagement and Leadership Specialist at USAID These individuals bring incredible lived experiences, unique perspectives, and the right mindset to our organization. Together, with their diversity and skills, we are better equipped to tackle our mission to "organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future." Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Director of Advocacy Volunteer San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Director of Advocacy is in charge of high-level plans, oversight, and execution of advocacy-related action, which is designed to further youth interests at all levels of our political system. They oversee the Assistant Director of Policy & Action and the Assistant Director of Research to guide Our Time to Act United's advocacy agenda and impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth across the state and nation. REQUIREMENTS Prior relevant experience required. Demonstrates strong goal management, team building, and interpersonal skills. Exemplifies strong leadership qualities. High school student or beyond. 10-12 hours, 3-4 meetings a week. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "Bridge Builder of the Year" for API Heritage Month Thursday, May 19, 2022 Our Time to Act United On May 19th, 2022, Aidan Lin was awarded the "2022 Bridge Builder of the Year Award" at the Asian Pacific Islander Leaders of the Year Awards hosted by the San Diego Business Journal and Asian Business Association San Diego . Aidan was recognized for his work with Our Time to Act (OTTA) United in his capacity as Executive Director for his leadership during the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process, during which OTTA United partnered with dozens of community-based organizations to push for equitable representation for the Asian, Latine, Black, and youth communities of San Diego. OTTA United is honored to have its principal leader recognized for his work in the community—particularly as a force for coalition-building and intersectional collaboration. As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we are proud of Aidan's accomplishments and the invaluable relationships we have built with San Diego's API community. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Executive Assistant Volunteer San Diego, South Bay Area, and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Executive Assistant supports the Executive Director and Associate Executive Director in administrative tasks to keep Our Time to Act United running smoothly. This includes internal and external communication, meeting management, presentation preparation, meeting minutes, and more. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. High school student or beyond. 6-8 hours, 1-2 meetings a week. Our scheduling is highly flexible. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

< Back to Open Positions Board Director Volunteer California | Remote APPLY Rolling Application ABOUT THE ROLE Working within the Board of Directors and reporting directly to the President of the Board, board members perform more than administrative tasks; they are the governing body of the organization that establishes and oversees our mission, priorities, business operations, long-term development, and finance goals. REQUIREMENTS Familiarity with OTTA United’s mission, vision, values, and goals Excellent written and verbal communication skills Organization and interpersonal skills Strong information analysis skills Goal and future-oriented decision-making skills Ability to understand and analyze financial reports Ability to evaluate executive performances Ability to participate in the execution of strategic plans Ability to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION As a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment nonprofit, OTTA United is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. We play the role of coalition builders and mentors within our communities, sharing knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. And as a justice-oriented, impact-driven, and people-centered organization, our perspective grounds us with who we serve and the work we do while advancing our mission. APPLY

< Back to Open Positions Assistant Director of Research Volunteer San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE The Assistant Director of Research works to further our organization's scientific understanding of youth empowerment and development. By proposing and answering applicable and tangible research questions, Our Time to Act United can improve our approach, methodology, and actions to further our impact on youth. REQUIREMENTS Prior academic experience required. Preferred in the fields of psychology, sociology, education, political science, or related subjects. Demonstrates ability to identify research questions and strong project management. Undergraduate or beyond. Exceptions for exceptional candidates can be made. Highly flexible hours. Meetings dependent on research schedule. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

< Back OP-ED: The San Diego redistricting process protected the status quo. We need change Monday, December 13, 2021 Aidan Lin, Executive Director For the past few months, students of UC San Diego have made a historic push to move council districts in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process. They have shared their perspective, in actions ranging from digital submissions of maps to vocal public comments in hour-long meetings. Throughout the process as a student and leader myself, I've witnessed and experienced firsthand the disregard, apathy, and sometimes malice directed toward my peers for sharing their perspectives. For some, it emboldens them to speak up louder. But for others, it disincentivizes them from participating in the first place. Many groups of diverse individuals share this experience in the city. Often, the voices of wealthy, single-family homeowners prevail in systems designed to cater to their participation; not to mention the fact that many youths are BIPOC and from underrepresented communities. This is the status quo in San Diego, and it requires an enormous amount of momentum to overcome. As I highlight in my opinion piece for the Voice of San Diego , this came into play in very tangible ways: Instead of a new persons of color majority district consisting of Clairemont, Linda Vista, and Serra Mesa, the commission voted to maintain the status quo by giving the coastal region two districts. By splitting our campus, they diluted student voting power and reduced the likelihood of our needs being taken seriously. Their adopted map also lowered Asian American and Pacific Islander percentages in District 6 and Latino/a percentages in District 9, relative to the collaboration map they rejected. We must take action to dismantle the system that prevent real, important change from occurring. Three reform ideas that we proposed included: Detach the appointments from specific City Council seats. Many independent redistricting commissions do not tie commissioners to existing seats, including the county and state. Rather than ensuring geographic representation, this pushed commissioners to defend their personal districts as if they were elected politicians and resist any changes to the status quo. Change the Appointing Authority. Retired judges may sound like a good idea, but a system with selection bias toward older people and attorneys has generated major negative repercussions for communities of color. We need an appointment authority that is both independent and representative of the community and its values. Require representation on the commission. We will never achieve districts that reflect local communities unless the commissioners drawing them also reflect the community. New requirements should be added to ensure renters, students, and Black, indigenous and people of color are adequately represented on the commission itself. As we call for reform, we ask for your support. Join our newsletter to stay in the loop and reach out if you are inspired to get involved. voiceofsandiego.org The Redistricting Process Favored the Status Quo, Again. That Needs to Change. These commissioners simply do not reflect the diversity of San Diego, nor the experiences of most residents, and repeatedly proved themselves incapable of putting aside their own biases for the good of the city. Next Previous

Selena-Marie Espinoza (she/her) is a dedicated San Diegan and Global Health major from the University of California - San Diego, committed to fostering healthier, more inclusive communities. Guided by the principle to “leave things better than how they were found,” she serves as Lead Organizer for Civic Youth Action Engagement, where she spearheads a campaign against price gouging to support low-income families and vulnerable communities. Passionate about building lasting change, Selena-Marie believes that vibrant, resilient communities aren’t just created—they are cultivated through intentional advocacy and care. With aspirations to advance her impact as a public health researcher and advocate, she is focused on achieving health equity as a reality for all. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with family and friends, always drawing inspiration from her San Diego roots. < Back Selena-Marie Espinoza CYAN Lead Organizer Selena-Marie Espinoza (she/her) is a dedicated San Diegan and Global Health major from the University of California - San Diego, committed to fostering healthier, more inclusive communities. Guided by the principle to “leave things better than how they were found,” she serves as Lead Organizer for Civic Youth Action Engagement, where she spearheads a campaign against price gouging to support low-income families and vulnerable communities. Passionate about building lasting change, Selena-Marie believes that vibrant, resilient communities aren’t just created—they are cultivated through intentional advocacy and care. With aspirations to advance her impact as a public health researcher and advocate, she is focused on achieving health equity as a reality for all. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with family and friends, always drawing inspiration from her San Diego roots. selena.espinoza@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Community Organizer (Midway/Clairemont) Paid San Diego APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before March 1st, 2022. ABOUT THE ROLE As a member of the advocacy team, the community organizer for Midway/Clairemont will be responsible for mobilizing youth (15-24) to advocate for affordable housing and accessible transportation in San Diego. REQUIREMENTS Position Responsibilities: Collaborate with the Director of Advocacy to coordinate grassroots housing advocacy Potential responsibilities include: Mobilizing youth through social media/outreach campaigns Formulating outreach strategies with the outreach team Fostering relationships and networks with student organizations in the Midway/Clairemont area Attend staff meetings Additional duties as assigned. Experience & Education: High school diploma required. Current undergraduate students are preferred. Previous experience in advocacy work preferred. Hourly Commitment: Average 8 hours per week Compensation $17.30 per hour ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION As a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment nonprofit, OTTA United is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. OTTA United values authenticity and passion. We play the role of coalition builders and mentors within our communities, sharing knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. And as a justice-oriented, impact-driven, and people-centered organization, our perspective grounds us with who we serve and the work we do while advancing our mission. APPLY