The Cheyenne River Youth Project announced today that it is seeking a deputy director to join its full-time staff in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The new deputy director will be responsible for developing the nonprofit youth organization’s strategic plan and budget, and providing coordination and oversight of all fundraising activities.
The new staff member also will be deeply involved in program planning and design, grant research and writing, human resources activities, development of CRYP’s social enterprises, and managing Board of Directors activities such as meetings, minutes and quarterly reports. And, he or she will be responsible for managing daily operations at the Eagle Butte campus in the absence of Executive Director Julie Garreau.
“Working at CRYP isn’t just another job,” observed current Deputy Director Meghan Tompkins, who will be moving out of state for family reasons. “It becomes part of who you are, and part of your identity. It is home.
“Applicants need to make sure they’re dedicated to working for a nonprofit organization that is truly committed to the community it serves and that puts the community’s needs first,” she continued. “They need to be willing to put in the extra hours, and know that it will be hard sometimes, but laughing with the kids at the end of the day—and knowing that everything we do has a meaningful, lasting impact—makes everything worth it.”
Tompkins also noted that, while the position involves substantial administrative work, it also encourages creativity and resourcefulness. Depending on the day, the deputy director may be researching new grant opportunities, devising new recipes for CRYP’s farm-to-table Keya (Turtle) Cafe & Coffeeshop, posting to social media, harvesting vegetables in the 2.5-acre Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden, wrapping holiday gifts in the Wo Otúh’an Wi Toy Drive, or brainstorming new, innovative ways to engage with Cheyenne River’s young people.
“Only one thing is absolutely certain,” Tompkins said. “Every day will be different, and it will never be boring!”
Tompkins said she is looking forward to bringing aboard her replacement, and remaining involved in the job-training process as needed in the weeks afterward. To review the full position description and apply online, visit lakotayouth.org/about/employment-opportunities.
To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.