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Chapter Organizing Fellow
Scholars Strategy Network
Part Time
Posted: 01/16/2020
Location:
Cambridge,JOB DESCRIPTION
The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) is looking for a Chapter Organizing Fellow (or intern if the applicant is an undergraduate student). The Fellow will be responsible for helping the Chapters and Membership Team in supporting SSN’s almost 40 existing and emerging chapters as they work to build communities of engaged scholars and inform local policy. The Fellow will report to the Associate Director of Chapters.
This position is part-time with an hourly wage of $15-$18 per hour, based on qualifications and experience, and requires a commitment of 15-20 hours per week. This position will ideally begin in January 2020 and run through June 2020, with the possibility of extension. Please include your earliest start date in your cover letter.
SSN’s offices are in Inman Square, at 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141. Some remote work may be possible. Please mention any regular needs for remote work in your cover letter.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARS STRATEGY NETWORK
The Scholars Strategy Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that connects journalists, policymakers, and civic leaders to America’s top scholars and their research. Together they inform news and help solve the nation’s toughest policy problems. Across the country, chapters and scholars volunteer their research, time and energy. Scholars join the network to become part of a community of leading researchers who are dedicated to improving policy and strengthening democracy. Through the network, journalists, policymakers, and civic leaders connect with responsive scholars and jargon-free research to support their work.
The Chapters and Membership team coaches and supports SSN’s chapter leaders so they can build communities of engaged members and generate opportunities for these members to inform policy and strengthen democracy. The team shares best practices between chapters, offers training opportunities, and documents victories.
The Chapters and Membership team also helps prospective members learn about SSN, write documents for public engagement, and become active members. The team helps scholars develop the skills and networks necessary to contribute research and ideas to inform policy debates.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Core responsibilities
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Provide chapter support: Work with the Associate Director of Chapters to conduct monthly audits of chapters to document progress on the chapter’s plans for the year, follow up after events, offer best practices, and compile materials for support.
- Track chapter victories: Build SSN’s knowledge of chapter progress and victories by updating chapter event calendars, following up with chapters, and recording updates. Work with the SSN Development and Communications teams where appropriate to share these stories, and update colleagues internally at staff meetings as schedules permits.
- Develop and evaluate new webinar series: Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating a new monthly webinar series for chapter leaders and members.
- Assist in training logistics: Support the team in coordinating in-person media and policy engagement trainings for chapters across the country. This would include helping the local chapter coordinate logistics, research about and outreach to local scholars and university centers to advertise the training, and research about and outreach to other local stakeholders for training panel presentations and staff meetings with during a visit.
Additional responsibilities depending on experience, interest, and department needs
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Policy and relationship-building coaching: Coach chapter leaders and chapter fellows to identify opportunities for chapter members to engage in relationship building to impact policy. The Fellow would track policy issues that are of particular interest to SSN chapters and members.
- Knowledge bank: Gather insights from chapter leaders and fellows’ successes to share with other chapters and, where appropriate, document their process for future chapters or for content in how-to documents.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for this position would be:
- A graduate student, advanced undergraduate student, or have equivalent experience
- Committed to SSN’s mission, interested in evidence-based policy, and eager to learn more about when and how research is used in policymaking
- Experienced in policy research, including legislative bill tracking
- Familiar with, and eager to learn more about, network organizing and general community organizing principles
- Self-motivated, professional, positive, and trustworthy
- Able to move among tasks and manage task follow-up
- An excellent writer and proofreader
- Organized, detail-oriented, and willing to ask questions
- Excited to learn and apply new skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Dropbox, Salesforce, and/or Zoom
HOW TO APPLY
Email a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and names and contact information of two references to Danielle Mulligan at jobs@scholars.org with subject line “Chapter Organizing Fellow - [Your Name].” Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
SSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates who fill some, but not all of the qualifications above are still encouraged to apply. We encourage you to view SSN’s statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion, located here.