Student Development Associate

This position will be based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. FIRE operates on a hybrid work schedule that allows for a mix of in-the-office and remote work for eligible employees. This position is not eligible for fully remote work.

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 Student Development Associate will manage the recruitment and hiring process for FIRE’s student opportunities, building a pipeline of future talent by recruiting and selecting candidates for FIRE’s Student Development programs. 

The Student Development Associate will report to and work directly with FIRE’s Vice President of Student Development in addition to corresponding with undergraduate, graduate, and law students. The duties for this position include, but are not limited to: 

• Cultivating talent, recruiting top leaders, and developing innovative, individualized programming to enhance the student experience.
• Managing the hiring process for various student opportunities, including evaluating applications, interviewing candidates, corresponding with applicants, and coordinating with internal stakeholders.
• Supporting interns’ overall experience, including devising intern activities, inviting guest speakers, and conducting check-in meetings.
• Aiding in the planning of student conferences and events, including the annual FIRE Student Network Summer Conference and other specialized events.
• Maintaining and building external stakeholder relationships, including event vendor relationships.
• Providing support to FIRE alumni through newsletters, individual communications, events, and social media.
• Creating new opportunities for students to experience the day-to-day life of working at a national nonprofit organization like FIRE.
• Working with FIRE’s Communications team to raise awareness of student opportunities and highlight the intern experience. 

This position will also perform other support functions for the day-to-day operation of FIRE and will frequently collaborate with other staff members and departments on general duties and specialized projects. 

This position has an immediate start date. Expected travel for this position is 10-20%. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have a good work ethic, be a self-starter, and have the ability to independently evaluate student applicants for various roles at FIRE. Most importantly, the candidate must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that mission in a way that will make others enthusiastic about our cause.

A candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• Strong networking skills and an ability to foster personal relationships with students.
• A strong, clear vision for executing the duties of the position and a willingness to assume a leadership role when executing projects.
• Creative thinking skills and the ability and willingness to explore new platforms and models for reaching key audiences.
• Accountability and the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Exceptional writing and copy editing skills.
• Keen attention to detail, time constraints, and deadlines.
• The ability to work efficiently and independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred but not required:

• Participation in FIRE’s undergraduate internship program.