AI Professional Development Fellow

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.

About the Harvey Anderson Memorial Fellowship

The Harvey Anderson Fellowship honors the legacy of Harvey Anderson, a valued Common Sense Media board member and technology leader who embodied principles of innovation and impact. This fellowship creates transformative professional opportunities for first-generation college graduates passionate about the intersection of technology, education, and social impact.

About This Role

Our AI Programs team works at the forefront of AI's impact on kids, families, and schools and is focused on AI thought leadership, AI evaluations, AI literacy, and the creation of practical resources for families and educators.

The AI Professional Development Fellow will work directly with our AI PD Content Designer to create innovative, educator-focused professional development courses and frameworks that help K–12 teachers and school leaders navigate AI integration safely, ethically, responsibly, and effectively. This two-year fellowship provides hands-on experience in educational content development, adult learning design, and AI literacy programming while building expertise at the intersection of AI and K–12 education.

This fellowship is designed specifically for early-career professionals who are first-generation college graduates, and offers comprehensive mentorship, tailored professional development, and career-launching experience in educational technology and PD design.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)

Reports to: AI PD Content Designer (primary), Senior Director of AI Programs (secondary)

Employment type: Full-time, non-exempt

Salary: $30.00–$38.00 per hour

Fellowship term: 2 years, with possibility of full-time role at Common Sense Media to follow

Fellowship Values

This fellowship embodies values shared by Harvey Anderson and Common Sense Media, including:

• Opportunity for All: Creating pathways for first-generation professionals.
• Supporting the Underserved: Focusing on protecting children and families.
• Transparency and Open Source: Contributing to frameworks that emphasize transparency and accessibility.
• Engaging Policymakers: Participating in work that informs policy about AI opportunities and challenges for youth.
• Adaptability: Helping design programs responsive to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Key Responsibilities

PD Framework Development & Course Creation

• Support development of comprehensive, platform-agnostic professional development frameworks that align with Common Sense Media's educational principles and trusted voice.
• Assist in creating and iterating on core educational resources and best practices for safe and effective AI use with staff and students.
• Help develop scalable course templates and modules that reduce course development time and enable rapid adaptation across AI platforms.
• Research and compile resources on AI tools, educational applications, and responsible use guidelines for K–12 contexts.

Quality Assurance & Evaluation

• Support building, piloting, testing, refining, and updating of professional development courses consistent with adult learning theory.
• Identify development needs to respond to feedback from K–12 educator participants to continually improve course quality and relevance.
• Support evaluation efforts and data collection to measure program impact and effectiveness.

Strategic Support & Innovation

• Help identify gaps in current professional development offerings and support research for new courses or modules.
• Stay current with AI education trends, emerging tools, and evolving K–12 educator needs.
• Contribute to broader AI Programs strategy, particularly regarding educator empowerment and AI literacy initiatives.
• Support integration and alignment efforts with broader Education team initiatives and strategy.

Research & Analysis Support

• Synthesize research findings from multiple sources to inform assessment approaches.
• Track emerging AI technologies and their potential impacts on youth safety and education.
• Contribute to research briefs summarizing key background information and known risks.
• Support competitive analysis and market research on AI tools in educational settings.

Team Collaboration & Project Support

• Work under the supervision of the Professional Development Content Designer on course development and framework implementation.
• Assist with project management across multiple concurrent course development initiatives.
• Coordinate with external partners and stakeholders on course requirements and timelines as directed.
• Support collaboration with AI risk assessment team to ensure that PD content reflects current AI safety and effectiveness considerations.
• Help maintain course documentation and development workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree (must be first-generation college graduate).
• Experience: 2 years of professional experience in education, instructional design, technology, or related field.
• Adult Learning: Basic understanding of adult learning theory and best practices in professional development for educators.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in team settings and with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• K–12 teaching experience or background working directly with K–12 educators and understanding their professional development needs.
• Experience with content creation, curriculum development, or instructional design.
• Familiarity with online learning platforms and educational technology used in K–12 settings.
• Interest in AI literacy and responsible AI deployment in educational contexts.
• Experience working with diverse communities or underserved populations.
• Background in education, instructional design, or related field.

Professional Development Opportunities

Understanding the unique needs and opportunities for first-generation graduates, Common Sense Media will provide a range of development opportunities, including structured mentorship, leadership development, career planning, connection to professional networks, and exposure to industry.

Additional Benefits

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.
• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, a matching 401(k), and other key benefits.
• An organization that offers work/life balance.
• The opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of kids and families!

Common Sense Media provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Common Sense Media will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.