Paid Fall Fellowship Program

Work to Protect our Democracy

Based in Boston’s Moakley Federal Courthouse, Discovering Justice works with students to examine the working of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and help them prepare to engage in our democracy. 

This past year has highlighted the many challenges facing America’s democracy. In addition to the pandemic, the visible cracks in the nation’s democracy and justice system underscore the importance of civic education to help equip current and future generations with the capacity to support and steward our democracy. 

 Discovering Justice’s programs provide opportunities for civic education learning and engagement for Massachusetts students. Discovering Justice is an essential partner to the school system to provide opportunities for students to learn the workings, skills, and the disposition of America’s democracy. The organization’s mission is to make sure youth in Massachusetts are prepared to steward and protect our fragile democracy. 

Discovering Justice’s staff of educators and advocates and its team of legal mentors will continue its two-decade long work with students delivering its K-5 in-school curricula, out-of-school Mock Trial and Appeal Program for middle schools, Courthouse Tours, Field Trips and Panel Events and introduce its new Topics and Leadership programs to middle and high schools. 

The Discovering Justice Fellowship Program – Fall 2021

Fellows work directly with a Discovering Justice staff person to help develop and/or run a program and/or build the organization’s operational capacity. During the semester-long program from September to December, Fellows will learn a variety of skills including how to deliver civic education programming, work for social change, and run and manage a nonprofit organization.

This Fellowship will be a hybrid remote/in-person opportunity. Fellows will work 2 days a week in person at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston, and three days remotely. 

However, some fully remote and part-time opportunities are available Please list in your cover letter or email application whether you would like to be considered for a part-time or remote Fellowship.

Courthouse Programs Fellowship

The Fellow will work with the Courthouse Programs Manager to assist in the continued curation of Tours and Courthouse Art Exhibitions exploring themes of justice in the art and architecture of the Moakley Federal Courthouse and in our legal system. This Fellow will help organize and schedule tour groups, get trained as a tour docent, and assist in the training of other volunteer docents. This Fellow will assist in the organization and planning of Courthouse panelist events, film screenings, and other in-person opportunities hosted at the Courthouse by Discovering Justice. The Fellow will also help compile and organize archival records of Discovering Justice’s 20+ year history. Experience with event planning, scriptwriting, public speaking, and WordPress, is a plus, but not a requirement.

Topics & Leadership Program Fellowship

The Fellow will work with Program staff to research topics and identify partners for Discovering Justice’s new Topics Program. This program covers contemporary legal issues and themes of justice that are relevant to middle and high school students’ lives and society. Fellows will help identify and reach out to community advocates and individuals in the justice system for their inclusion in programs in which students explore an essential question through a variety of informational sources and learn essential civic skills including how to take informed action through engagement.

Mock Trial and Mock Appellate After School Programs Fellowship

The Fellow will work with Mock Trial Program Manager to run the organization’s signature program that provides opportunities for middle school students to delve deeper into the nation’s political and judicial systems. During Mock Trial, teams of students partner with volunteer attorneys online to litigate cases, engage in legal analysis as they develop arguments, and prepare to make their case in front of a real judge and jury. All throughout the program students will be analyzing our justice system with a critical lens. The Fellow will provide support to legal mentors and students, monitor and evaluate classes, and coordinate the culminating Mock Trial events. The Fellow will assist the Mock Trial Program Manager in the design and revision of engaging civic education curriculum for the Fall 2021 and future sessions.

Communications Fellowship

The Fellow will work with Program staff to develop and implement a social media and earned media outreach strategy. Utilizing the organization’s website, social media platforms, and access to media outlets to media outlets, the Fellow will help create and edit video and broadcast the activities of the organization and its programs. Adobe Premiere and Canva experience preferred. 

K-5 In School Curriculum and Programs Fellowship

The K-5 Fellow will work with the Education Program Director to support the development, pilot, and revisions of our k-5 civics curricular material. Our in-school program and curriculum provides students with a deeper understanding of justice, the critical skills to determine and advocate for justice, and a sense of their own identity as a community member within our world.

Qualifications

• A passion for civic education and the need to protect and promote our democracy. Commitment to work 40 hours a week with a dynamic and energetic staff. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to work with a team and willingness to learn new skills. Interest in taking this experience back to your campus or to your next job.

Logistics

The Fellowship will run for thirteen weeks depending on position needs and applicant availability. Fellowships will have start dates In September and will run until December depending on position and availability. Some fully remote and part-time opportunities are available. Please list in your cover letter or email application whether you would like to be considered for a part-time or remote Fellowship. Fellows will receive a stipend of $3,500 for their term (Negotiable with part-time Fellowships). Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and two references. Please specify your Fellowship(s) of interest. This Fellowship is ideal for a recent graduate or a college student taking a gap semester or year. Send your cover letter and resume before September 10th, 2021 to Henry Schunk at careers@discoveringjustice.org with your name and Fellowship Application in the subject line.

Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and GLBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply.