Civic Education Graduate Assistant

The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Graduate Research Assistant to support its growing portfolio of civic engagement programming and research through grant research, writing, and tracking. This 20-hour-per-week position offers hands-on experience in the nonprofit and academic sectors, focusing on identifying funding opportunities that align with the Institute’s mission.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Conduct comprehensive research on local, state, and national grant opportunities relevant to civic education, youth voter engagement, leadership development, and nonpartisan outreach. (30%)
• Draft, edit, and organize grant proposals, letters of intent, and supporting documentation in coordination with Institute staff and faculty. (25%)
• Maintain an internal grant tracking system including deadlines, funder requirements, reporting obligations, and award outcomes. (15%)
• Assist with post-award management by compiling data and outcomes for reporting to funders. (10%)
• Support collaboration across programs by identifying funding needs, gaps, and prospects that align with strategic priorities. (10%)
• Attend team meetings to stay informed on programming updates and contribute insights for proposal development. (5%)
• Contribute to occasional communications and research tasks as needed to support overall Institute operations. (5%)

Qualifications: 

• Enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Strong research and writing skills, especially in persuasive or professional writing.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience with grant writing or fundraising for academic or nonprofit programs.
• Interest in civic education, youth engagement, or democratic research initiatives.

The Annette Strauss Institue for Civic Life is seeking a motivated and experienced Graduate Assistant with an interest in student voter engagement, specifically developing voter registration, education, and mobilization programming. The 20 hour per week role is to coordinate TX Votes, a student organization sponsored by the Annette Strauss Institute.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate various events related to voter engagement initiatives by ensuring smooth logistical arrangements and administration management. Attend and actively participate in TX Votes meetings. (Not necessary to attend all meetings). (25%)
• Provide guidance and support to student organization members to foster their personal and professional development. (15%)
• Engage in strategic planning for various initiatives, and develop plans for both immediate and future goals. (15%)
• Contribute to communications and marketing strategies, promote the Annette Strauss Institute and TX Votes branding, and ensure messaging and communication remains nonpartisan. (15%)
• Establish and maintain partnerships with campus, local, and national organizations. (15%)
• Actively participate in recruitment for events, leadership programs, and scholarships. (5%)
• Conduct workshops focused on voter engagement. (5%)
• Contribute fresh perspectives to enhance civic engagement opportunities. (5%)

Qualifications: 

• Enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Prior experience in team management, event coordination, or related fields.
• Familiarity with Texas election law and voter registration system.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills: 

• Proficiency in project management and social media communications.
• Established network within voter outreach and civic engagement organizations.
• Experience in fundraising and stakeholder management.

Compensation:

• Competitive stipend based on qualifications and experience.
• Consideration for tuition waiver.

The Annette Strauss Institue for Civic Life is seeking a motivated and innovative Graduate Assistant with an interest in K-12 public education, specifically in the area of social studies and civic education.  The 20 hour per week role is to administer the Strauss Institute’s Speak Up! Speak Out! K-12 project-based civic education program.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support and expand the Speak Up! Speak Out! K-12 civic education program by overseeing content creation, outreach, teacher coordination, implementation, and evaluation. (35%)
• Lead the coordination of the statewide civic fair, including planning, communication, outreach, and evaluation. (25%)
• Identify, propose, and execute new opportunities to advance the Institute's K-12 educational initiatives. (15%)
• Simplify and streamline educator participation in the program to encourage increased involvement and ease of integration into the curriculum. (10%)
• Collaborate in securing external funding and contribute to maintaining the fiscal sustainability of the Institute's K-12 initiatives. (10%)
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Director and contribute to special projects as needed. (5%) 

Qualifications: 

• Enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Prior experience in program management, operations, or a related field. 
• Relevant experience in education, program coordination, or related fields.
• Familiarity with K-12 educational settings and practices.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. 

Preferred Skills: 

• Proficiency in project management tools and stakeholder communication.
• Established network within educational and community networks.
• Experience in securing external funding and proposal writing. 

Compensation:

• Competitive stipend based on qualifications and experience.