Careers at Discovering Justice
Careers at Discovering Justice
âWhat is more exciting than working in partnership with our dedicated staff to cultivate a more just
world by reimagining our educational programs, materials, and training?â
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-Laura Brenner, Education Program Director, Discovering Justice
About Discovering Justice
For over two decades, Discovering Justice has provided unique civic education and engagement opportunities for students across the Commonwealth. The organization works in partnership with school systems, judges, nonprofits, and the legal community to examine the workings of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and help young people prepare to engage in our democracy.
Discovering Justice runs after-school programs for middle school students through our Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs, provides in-school curricula for Grades K-3, and brings students and community members of all ages into the Moakley Courthouse in Boston for tours, field trips, and educational events.
Weâre passionate about civic education and the need to protect and promote our democracy. We believe that the justice system can and should work for everyone and that diversity, equity, and inclusion are core democratic values. We are a collaborative organization that strives for excellence and holds ourselves accountable to our team and constituents.
Open Positions
Mock Trial/Mock Appeal Program Manager
Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid) | Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 with benefits | Apply by September 5, 2023|
Discovering Justiceâs Mock Trial and Mock Appeal Programs pair middle school students with legal professionals to explore the workings of the judicial system, analyze a legal case, and practice the civic skills needed to argue cases persuasively. Through these engaging, supportive weekly sessions, student attorneys develop the confidence and vital civic skills like perspective-taking, critical thinking, writing, public speaking, and civil discourse necessary to become community leaders.
As the Program Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind these two flagship programs, steering their direction and enhancement. You’ll not just be managing; you’ll direct these programs in alignment with our core values, ensuring every step we take resonates with our mission and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Program Manager will coordinate the effective implementation of the growing Fall Mock Trial and Spring Mock Appeal Programs for 25-35 teams of middle school students and legal mentors.
Click below to view the full job description and apply to this position.Â
Paid Fellowship Program
Fellows work directly with a Discovering Justice staff person to build the organizationâs operational capacity. During the semester-long program, Fellows will lead and complete projects, collaborate with both staff members and other Fellows, and learn more about the state of civic education and the operations of nonprofit organizations. Our staff and volunteers provide an open and welcoming environment that enables Fellows to take on responsibilities and learn core nonprofit skills to help in their careers.
The ideal Fellow:
- Is passionate about civic education and the need to protect and promote our democracy.
- Is a recent graduate or college student.
- Can commit to work 40 hours a week with a dynamic and energetic staff (at least 25 hours for a Part-Time Fellowship).
- Has excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Loves to work with a team and wants to learn new skills.
Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and/or LGBTQIA+ are strongly encouraged to apply.
Civic Education Advocacy Fellowship
The Fellow will work with the Executive Director to engage civic education groups and their constituents in public education and advocacy work to increase Massachusettsâ investment in civic education programs. The Fellow will work with the Executive Director to coordinate meetings with teachers, students, civic leaders and their legislators to educate them about the civic education being done in their districts and to encourage more resources and support for these programs. Experience with managing events and recruiting and organizing volunteers is required.
Communications FellowshipÂ
The Communications Fellow will work with the Executive Director and Outreach & Recruitment Senior Associate to develop and implement a social and earned media outreach strategy to promote the organizationâs civic education programs to volunteers, donors, and community members. Through collaboration with program managers, the Fellow will create and share content including, but not limited to, flyers, videos, graphics, and social media content. The Fellow will also help develop the organizationâs electronic and physical communications that frequently broadcast the organizationâs activities and programs to partners. Adobe Premiere Pro and Canva, or similar movie and graphic design editing experience preferred.
Logistics and Application
The Fall 2023 Fellowship will run from September 11 to December 21. Fellows will work two days a week in person at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston, and three days remotely. Limited part-time opportunities are available, but preference is given to candidates with full-time availability.
Fellows will receive a stipend of $3,500 for their term (a proportionate stipend with part time Fellowships). This Fellowship is ideal for a recent graduate or a college student taking a gap semester or year. Please specify your Fellowship(s) of interest in your email or in your cover letter. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Malia Brooks at careers@discoveringjustice.org
Elementary Civics Internship
Who You Are
- You have a passion for elementary education, social justice, and/or civic education/engagement.
- You have experience working with elementary students in an educational setting.
- You can commit to work a minimum of 15 hours a week (open to part and full time candidates).
- You have excellent written and oral communications skills.
- You enjoy working collaboratively and want to learn new skills to take back to your school or next job.
- You utilize data and research to support instructional decisions.
Role
During the 23-24 school year, Discovering Justice will be working with over 100 teachers across 20 schools, in at least five districts in Massachusetts (Boston, Chelsea, Springfield, West Springfield, and Dennis/Yarmouth). The Elementary Civics Intern will support the Education Program Director and K-5 Curriculum Developer by conducting in-person classroom visits and observations, researching, gathering data and feedback from teachers and students, and implementing edits based on educator feedback. This internship will be supervised by Victoria Suri, the K-5 Curriculum Developer and supported by the Education Director.
Responsibilities
- Conduct classroom observations.
- Visit K-4 classrooms to observe pilot lessons.
- Collect data, pictures, videos, work samples, and stories to support DJâs communication strategies, teacher professional development, and curricular updates.
- Gather feedback from teachers and students to inform curriculum revisions.
- Support teacher professional development as needed.
- Support curriculum development as needed (ex: implementing edits based on feedback, adding resources like read-alouds to materials).
Logistics and Application
Our office is located in the U.S. Moakley Federal Courthouse in the Seaport district of Boston, and we work with schools across the Commonwealth. The internship is hybrid and will run from September 6 through December 22 (with a week off for Thanksgiving). This role requires a minimum of 15 hours a week, yet is flexible depending on individual schedule. We are open to a year-long internship. This will include participation in staff meetings, weekly 1:1 supervisor meetings, site visits to schools, as well as independent and supervised projects. The internship pays a $3,500 stipend for full time 40 hours a week over one semester, and would be prorated for hours committed, or your college / university may provide course credits or internship hours.
This Fellowship is ideal for a graduate student studying education, human development, and/or civic studies.
Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and/or LGBTQIA+ are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, please submit a resume to Victoria Suri at vsuri@discoveringjustice.org.