Overview
The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life prepares Tufts students to become active citizens and community leaders. As the only university-wide college of its kind, its mission is to engage Tufts students in meaningful community building, public service experiences, and transformational learning. It conducts groundbreaking research on young people’s civic and political participation and forges innovative community partnerships. Tisch College is a national leader in civic education, whose model and research are setting the standard for higher education’s role in civic engagement.
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) is a research-based think tank that studies how young people in the United States learn to become active participants in our democracy. CIRCLE studies a broad range of topics, from K-12 civic education, youth organizing, youth and civic media, to community characteristics that promote civic development. The central focus of its work is on expanding access to civic learning and engagement opportunities, especially for marginalized youth.
Because of CIRCLE’s explicit focus on improving civic education and engagement for young people of color and other underserved youth, and because of Tisch College and Tufts University’s foundational commitments to diversity and inclusion, candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are especially encouraged to apply.
What You'll Do
This is a part-time limited term position for one year with the possibility of extension.
The major responsibilities of the Research Assistant are to: 1) Coordinate and strengthen the Teaching for Democracy Alliance, 2) Coordinate communication among stakeholders in the EAD Teacher Leadership Taskforce, and 3) Provide assistance to other K12-related CIRCLE research.
The Research Assistant supports CIRCLE’s overall research impact work by participating in aspects of research and communications such as advising on partnership development, developing content based on research, supporting the translation of research into accessible forms. The researcher will host monthly leadership group meetings, implement website adjustments, and updates, and advise on project development. They will assist in producing written reports and memos to various stakeholders, provide editorial support and content development as needed, and assistant in the processing of honorarium payments for Task Force members.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years’ experience in related field
- Experience working in or supporting those in the K12 education field and stakeholders
- Experience helping to convene or lead professionals, youth or youth groups
- Experience working with groups of people representing diverse social identities and political perspectives
- Strong interest in pathways to civic and political engagement for young people
- Strong technology skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, graphics)
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders and audiences, including practitioners, reporters, scholars, and young people through various modes of communication,
- Unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and understanding of how these commitments apply to work,
- Excellent oral and written communication skills,
- Demonstrable ability to take initiative and work with tight and sometimes shifting timelines as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in higher education a plus.
- Experience or ability to approach inquiries and conversations with other orgs in a responsive way: with humility, as a listener, and with the goal of relationship-building,
- Experience in settings where the experiences and voices of marginalized communities are centered.
- Experience with or demonstrable interest in the role of research and data in civic engagement and social change efforts,
- Comfort with multiple projects, delegating and receiving tasks,
- Ability to work collaboratively with CIRCLE colleagues from varied backgrounds and to interact with practitioners of diverse backgrounds, views, and positions,
- Appreciation of pluralism and perspective diversity in discussions about social issues, project decisions and content.
Special Work Schedule Requirements:
Part-time, 17.5 hours a week.
Pay Range
Minimum $23.40, Midpoint $28.08, Maximum $32.75
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
