Citizen Schools Service Fellowship (Springfield)

THE OPPORTUNITY

For over 30 years, Citizen Schools has been a pioneer in educational equity. Since opportunity, unlike talent, is not equally distributed, we have provided hands-on learning experiences that ignite curiosity, build confidence, and expand horizons for over 50,000 underrepresented middle school students.

Citizen Schools helps all students thrive through hands-on, community-connected learning and mentors that ignite curiosity and build confidence, in school and beyond. We empower educators and leverage community expertise to create immersive learning experiences for students. By fostering individual creativity, innovative thinking, and meaningful connections, we're shaping an exciting future for education.

Our work brings together students, teachers, administrators, industry visionaries, volunteers, and community-based organizations to catalyze collaborative relationships. The result transforms education to prepare students with the skills they will need to succeed and flourish.

THE ROLE

Citizen Schools is seeking a cohort of talented individuals who are passionate about improving educational outcomes for students and deepening community engagement in schools to complete a 10-month service fellowship at one of our K-12 partner schools for the 2025-2026 school year . Citizen Schools Service Fellows (CSSF) will work closely with educators, school leaders, community volunteers, and students at their school site to expand hands-on, community connected learning opportunities that unlock student potential and fortify lasting school-community partnerships.

The Citizen Schools Service Fellowship provides a unique, highly impactful opportunity for individuals interested in a career in education and/or the nonprofit sector to gain meaningful exposure, skills, experience, and connections to support their professional growth and future plans.

As a Citizen Schools Service Fellow, you will engage in a professional learning pathway led by Citizen Schools over the course of the school year to deepen your knowledge and skill in effective community engagement strategies, experience-based learning (EBL) approaches, and leadership competencies. You will have regular opportunities to learn from community and education leaders across the country, leadership at your school site, and your cohort of peers.

LOCATION:

The Springfield Citizen Schools Service Fellow will serve at Veritas Prep Charter School. The Fellow will be expected to serve primarily on site, with some opportunity for limited remote work at the discretion of Citizen Schools and the school site.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Conducting community asset mapping at your school site to understand, organize, and expand opportunities for community engagement
• Building & deepening community partnerships that will sustain community engagement at your school site for years to come
• Recruiting and training local volunteers to engage in experience-based learning (EBL) opportunities with students
• Supporting teachers & volunteers to deliver exciting and impactful EBL projects in their school day classes
• Organizing showcases of student learning that bring together the whole school and surrounding community to celebrate student growth and creativity through their EBL projects

QUALIFICATIONS + ELIGIBILITY

• Passion for improving educational outcomes for students and engaging local community members
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Interest in volunteer coordination, recruitment, and community outreach
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional relationship building skills
• A degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field a plus
• Desire and excitement to model Citizen Schools' core values: Confidence, Curiosity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Perseverance and Teamwork
• The fundamental belief that all students can achieve academic and professional success
• Eligibility Requirements – All applicants must:
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Be a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card status), or have refugee, asylum, temporary protected status, or DACA status.
  • Complete a national criminal background check

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

Citizen Schools Service Fellows serve full time (40 hrs/wk) at a rate of $16.50/hr for the duration of the school year (August 2025 to June 2026) and will receive a $500 monthly housing stipend. Fellows will have access to a robust benefits package that offers medical, vision, and dental insurance, 20 days of paid time off, extensive professional development, and an end-of-service cash stipend upon successful completion of the fellowship.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Citizen Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. Citizen Schools is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, and we are committed to making special accommodations for your interview or work as a member of our team. If specific accommodations are needed, please contact us, and we will work to accommodate your needs.