Bonner Foundation

Work Study Position Description / Fall 2012 - Spring 2013

Issue & Policy Research Assistant (up to 2 positions)

ABOUT THE BONNER PROGRAM

The Bonner Program is a campus-based community service and service-based scholarship program currently at eighty colleges and universities nationwide.  A program of a private philanthropy called the Bonner Foundation, in partnership with The College of New Jersey, the Bonner Program provides more than 3,000 undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in community service while in college, and to receive financial support for tuition, in the form of scholarships, Federal Work Study stipends, and AmeriCorps Education Awards.  The campus-based program provides colleges with a replicable model through which to develop students through service, positively impact communities, and build an infrastructure for sustained campus-community partnerships.  Through providing students with an access to education and an opportunity to serve, the Bonner Program also provides a higher education model that promotes colleges’ commitment to civic engagement, community building, diversity, international perspective, spiritual exploration, and social justice.

 Issue and Policy Research Assistant

Assistant(s) will work with the Bonner Foundation’s program staff to assist with the research and implementation of issue-oriented research on topics like college access, food security, homelessness, and  youth development.  The Research Assistant will conduct online and interview research with issue experts to help identify program models (from national non-profits) and find or write issue briefs.  In addition, the Research Assistant will support Foundation and campus staff who are working on developing and carrying out issue-oriented social change campaigns.  This is an excellent position for someone with community and campus organizing experience who wants to take it to the next level.  This person will also identify, share, and possibly develop support materials for use by students and administrators at our 80 campus-based programs.  Hence, interest and/or experience in curriculum or training design is also valuable.  This is a programmatic position that requires learning about the structure of the Bonner Scholar/Leader Program, including interviewing and talking on the phone with current college students and program administrators. This position requires detail-orientation and the ability to manage one’s time.

ADDITIONAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Related prior experience in community service or social change efforts; experience in advocacy or policy research is welcome
• Attention to detail and the ability to find and utilize issue-oriented content from online sources, reading, and interviewing non-profit professionals
• Strong oral communication skills, including a willingness to obtain information via telephone interviews
• Strong writting communication skills, including ability and/or interest in researching and writing program materials and public policy issue briefs (non-partisan)
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time

For more information, please attend the Ice Cream Social on Thursday, September 24 at 4:00 pm at our office on 10 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.  Or call (609) 924-6663 and speak with Ariane Hoy or Bobby Hackett.