Fellow, Student Press and Campus Rights Advocacy

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor program

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is seeking a Fellow to join the Student Press Freedom Initiative and Campus Rights Advocacy team in a two-year, full-time fellowship for recent graduates. The role blends research, advocacy, and training with mentorship and a capstone project in the second year.

The Fellow will engage with student journalists, manage the SPFI hotline, and support travel ~20–25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1–2 years of relevant post-undergraduate experience; exceptional candidates will also be considered.
• Familiarity with student press freedom issues, the First Amendment and/or media law.
• Ability to articulate FIRE’s mission with passion to engage others.
• Ability to commit to the full two-year term.
• Willingness to travel ~20–25% and occasional evenings/weekends.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate relationships with student journalists, publications, and advisers to establish long‑lasting institutional connections.
• Assist the Student Press Program Manager and Counsel with case intake and 24‑hour hotline responses, including after‑hours requests.
• Respond to and manage free speech‑related case submissions from students and faculty, focusing on student press submissions.
• Author and review advocacy materials, such as letters to universities, on behalf of students, faculty, and student journalists.
• Create and execute training programs, resources, and conference presentations for student journalists and advisers.
• Provide project management and logistical support for student press educational and advocacy projects.
• Engage in advocacy on behalf of student journalists, their publications, and advisers.
• Serve as primary press contact on designated cases, conducting interviews for TV, radio, and print media as needed.
• Author blogs, op‑eds, and other communications related to SPFI and FIRE cases.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Public speaking

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Deadline management

Team player

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

This position will ideally be based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, candidates who prefer Washington, D.C. will be considered. FIRE operates on a hybrid work schedule that allows for a mix of in-the-office and remote work days for eligible employees. Fully remote work will not be considered for this position.

FIRE is seeking a Fellow to join our Student Press Freedom Initiative and Campus Rights Advocacy team. This role is part of FIRE’s First Amendment Fellowship Program, a full-time, two-year termed program for graduating seniors and recent graduates looking to gain work experience before law school, graduate school, or another professional or educational opportunity. In addition to their core work with Campus Rights Advocacy and the Student Press Freedom Initiative, fellows receive hands‑on training, work with a FIRE mentor, and complete a capstone project in their second year.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Position Description

The Fellow, Student Press and Campus Rights Advocacy will report to FIRE’s Student Press Program Manager and Counsel. The duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Cultivating relationships with student journalists, their publications, and their advisers to establish long‑lasting institutional connections;
• Assisting the Student Press Program Manager and Counsel with case intake and responding to requests to SPFI’s 24‑hour hotline, including after‑hours emergency requests;
• Responding to and managing free speech‑related case submissions from students and faculty, with a focus on student press‑related submissions;
• Authoring and reviewing advocacy materials, such as letters to universities, on behalf of students, faculty, and student journalists;
• Creating and executing training programs, resources, and conference presentations for student journalists and advisers;
• Offering project management and logistical support for student press educational and advocacy projects;
• Engaging in advocacy on behalf of student journalists, their publications, and their advisers;
• Serving as primary press contact on designated cases, conducting interviews for television, radio, and print media as needed;
• Authoring blogs, op‑eds, and other communications related to SPFI and FIRE cases.

This position involves a moderate amount of travel, approximately 20-25%. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected. This position assists with SPFI’s 24‑hour hotline, which involves answering calls outside of normal business hours. Infrequent late night and weekend calls are expected.

FIRE’s First Amendment Fellowship Program Benefits

In addition to the experience gained through their day‑to‑day work, fellows will have access to:

• Time to develop their interests, gain substantive professional experience, and better understand potential educational and career paths before pursuing their next step.
• Exposure to FIRE’s work across litigation, campus advocacy, policy reform, education, legislative advocacy, research, and communications.
• A FIRE staff mentor outside their department for regular conversations about professional development, educational opportunities, and long‑term career goals.
• Resources and support for admissions testing, applications, school selection, and other aspects of pursuing further education, including paid time off for testing and admissions‑related activities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of relevant post‑undergraduate experience and a familiarity with student press freedom issues, the First Amendment and/or media law, but exceptional less experienced candidates will also be considered. Most importantly, a successful candidate must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that passion in a way that will make others enthusiastic about our cause. A candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• Strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proven problem‑solving ability and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional conscientiousness.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, prioritize work and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to understand current trends in student press, including organizational structure, common legal issues, and principles preferred.
• Journalism or student press background preferred.
• Ability to commit to the full two year term.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion.

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree.

Salary and Compensation

The projected salary range for this position is $50,000-$60,000. FIRE conducts periodic evaluations where employees may receive raises or bonuses for outstanding and excellent work. FIRE also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer‑paid health, dental, and life insurance for employees; a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account option; matching retirement contributions; and a generous paid time‑off plan.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

As part of FIRE's hiring process, all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state, and local law.