Fellow, Student Press and Campus Rights Advocacy

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.

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.

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.

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.

Applicants should provide a resume, cover letter, a writing sample, salary requirements, and contact information for at least two professional references. All applications are confidential. Please address applications to Cait Scanlan, Chief People Officer.

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.