Research and Policy Fellow

Organizational Summary

After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that offers after-school and summer programs for thousands of Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. 

Since 1991, more than 350,000 teens have participated in our project-based paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). 

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. 

Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. 

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:

The Research and Policy Fellow(s) will support the work of After School Matters' Research and Policy department during the 2022 - 2023 academic year. This is a powerful opportunity to contribute to rigorous research & evaluation to support evidence-based programs, legislation, and organization advancement of After School Matters.

For this role, we are seeking a current graduate student for the 2022 - 2023 school year

This role involves working 24 hours per week during the school year, with the option to start full- or part-time in the summer (up to 30 hours per week in the summer)

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide project-based support to key initiatives of the Research and Policy Department, including YPQA/I, teen surveys and interviews, teen demographic and performance data, to help inform understanding of and better serve Chicago teens.
• Collect, analyze and interpret secondary data, including quality control checks and data reviews, as well as support the creation of data visualizations and infographics.
• Conduct literature reviews and support the development of analytic & policy briefs and reports while ensuring the integrity of research used by the organization.
• Collaborate with other members of the Research and Policy Department to provide technical assistance to other teams/departments, including (but not limited to) Programs, Communications, Advancement, Operations, etc.
• Contribute to collective advocacy campaigns in partnership with various local and state coalitions and organizations.
• Track and analyze policy developments at the city and state levels.
• Support annual efforts to protect public funding through regular budget advocacy communications.
• The role will also involve administrative and miscellaneous tasks as assigned.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical, oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of access and utilization of scholarly research.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically as part of a team and within broad coalitions.
• Skill in Microsoft Office applications required, especially Excel.
• Experience using statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS) to conduct data analysis preferred.
• Experience or knowledge of social services or supportive programming preferred, but not required.
• Experience working with data visualization tools such as Tableau and infographics preferred, but not required.
• Experience working in political or grassroots advocacy campaigns preferred but not required.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) language skills preferred, but not required.

Qualifications:

• Cover letter and writing samples are required with application.
• Chicago-based graduate student working towards a Master's degree in the social sciences.
• Committed to the organizational mission to provide Chicago public high school teens opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Committed to a workplace that values different backgrounds and life experiences and allows everyone to bring their authentic self to work. Builds equity into structure, systems, and processes for our employees and the teens we serve.

Additional Requirements:

Staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or have an approved medical or sincerely held religious beliefs exemption prior to starting employment. If a medical or sincerely held religious belief exemption is approved, weekly Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is required part of any reasonable accommodation.

How to Apply:

• Apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and application here

EEO:

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.