Trainings Associate Jobs

The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) seeks a Trainings Associate to coordinate the Education Scholars Training Program (ESTP) and contribute to the success of SSN’s overall trainings program. The ESTP is a new initiative that will help a diverse cohort of scholars who study education build relationships with policymakers and transform education policy in the United States. SSN’s broader training program helps scholars learn how to build relationships with policymakers, civic organizations, and journalists so that research produced by academics can be used to improve public policy. This is designed as an entry-level position for an individual with an interest in improving connections between academia and policymaking and who is enthusiastic about teaching university-based researchers best practices for public engagement.

The Trainings Associate is a full-time position with an annual salary between $56,000-$62,000, based on qualifications and experience. SSN’s competitive benefits include generous time off, health insurance, professional development opportunities and resources, and a 403B retirement plan with an employer match. This position falls within the SSN employee union and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

SSN currently operates in a remote-first, hybrid work environment. Preference will be given to candidates based in Massachusetts, but this role may be available as a remote position for an exceptionally qualified candidate. For employees located in Massachusetts, SSN provides the option to work at SSN’s main offices, located at 501 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116. Employees located out of state will be expected to participate in-person for semi-annual staff gatherings. The person selected for this position will be part of SSN’s Trainings team and report directly to SSN’s Director of Training. This is a grant-funded position, and funding has been secured for the first 3 years. Continuation of employment beyond the first 3 years is contingent upon additional funding.

Responsibilities

As a large organization with a relatively small staff, SSN has a Trainings team that supports and creates opportunities for a large and growing network of over 1,800 members who work in more than 330 colleges and universities across the US, and for a growing number of partners at academic institutions, centers, and associations. SSN also supports a network of 37 chapters led by volunteer members in 33 states. Among other tasks the Trainings Associate will:

Coordinate the Education Scholars Training Program

• Broker relationships & support engagement: The ESTP program includes significant amounts of direct outreach to policymakers to facilitate relationships with scholars. The Associate will work with other SSN staff to conduct this outreach, schedule meetings with scholars, and follow-up to help deepen these relationships. The Associate will provide individualized coaching and support for scholars on how to engage in the policy process and identify the resources each participant needs to ensure they can successfully complete the program.
• Execute ESTP programming: The Associate will work closely with other SSN staff to plan and facilitate various in-person and virtual events for ESTP cohort members. Each cohort year will begin with an in-person Education Research Accelerator convening. This will be followed by virtual workshops and community-building events throughout the year to provide cohort members with the training, tools, advice, network, and support needed to execute best practices in rigorous research and public engagement.
• Evaluate impact: The Associate will work with other members of the Training team to identify best practices for measuring the quality and impact of the ESTP and the training program overall. Over time, the Associate will help to refine individual training modules, or overall curricula, based on these evaluations and measures.
• Assemble Cohorts: The Associate will oversee the creation of a yearly cohort of 12-18 education scholars from under-represented backgrounds, geographies, and types of institutions that will receive tailored support from SSN staff.

Support SSN’s Trainings program

• Update curriculum: The Associate will support the ongoing work of updating SSN curricula to reflect best practices, new research, and input from practitioners and experts. This will include identifying key findings that should be highlighted in new training modules or in updates of existing modules. The Associate will also work to ensure that existing and new trainings are accessible and useful to the full diversity of scholars in the academy.
• Seize opportunities: The Associate will identify opportunities for expanding the training program, engaging new external partners and identifying skills that we could help scholars improve. To do this, the Associate will work closely with internal stakeholders (SSN staff, chapters, leaders, and members), and with external stakeholders (academic centers, associations, and foundations) to identify opportunities where we can support the work of scholars engaging with public policy through SSN trainings.
• Facilitate trainings: The Associate will lead SSN trainings for host organizations around the nation, including local SSN chapters, universities, and foundations. Trainings are a mix of digital and in-person workshops covering a variety of communications and policy engagement topics, from concrete skills like op-ed writing and lobbying to broader topics like the policymaking process
• Coach and support: The Associate will coach scholars on how to engage in the policy process, providing individual advice on relationship building, feedback on written documents, and training on the policy process.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a deep interest in making research matter and improving public policy. The ideal candidate for this position would be:

• Someone with a solid understanding of policymaking processes (e.g., legislative processes, administrative/agency processes, implementation and evaluation, etc).
• Committed to SSN’s mission and to fully understanding how to make use of SSN’s structure as a voluntary, federated network of member researchers.
• Someone with a solid understanding of academia, including research funding processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Dropbox, Salesforce, virtual meeting channels like Zoom, and content databases.
• An individual with 1-3 years of experience in teaching, education, policy advocacy, or organizing; or at least 1 year of experience and a relevant advanced degree (such as an MA, JD, or PhD).
• Someone who enjoys experimentation, learning, and applying new skills.
• An able and charismatic public speaker, with excellent presentation and facilitation skills, who is excited to teach others new skills and information.
• Comfortable -- and ideally somewhat experienced -- working with policymakers or academics on both sides of the political aisle.
• Able to read and understand academic papers in the social sciences and to translate complex concepts into clear language free of insider jargon.
• Comfortable with occasional paid travel (approximately once a month)

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 considering a career transition or whose skills and experience fulfill some, but not all of the qualifications above are encouraged to apply.

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