Student Press Freedom & Campus Rights Fellow

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

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%.