Advocacy Fellow (DegreesNYC)

GODDARD RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER•New York, NY

7d•$17 - $17•Hybrid

About The Position

#DegreesNYC is a data-informed collective impact movement co-led with young people to promote fair education pathways and student-ready schools in New York City. Advocacy Fellows participate in the Advocacy Fellowship and Youth Council, collaborating on campaigns, workshops, and events that advance the organization’s policy priorities. The Youth Council draws on young people’s lived experiences to promote civic engagement, youth leadership, and a more just, equitable, student-ready education system. Working under the Youth Council Co-Coordinator for Advocacy, Fellows lead and support advocacy campaigns, use storytelling to elevate youth voices, and engage elected officials and institutional leaders. They help build partnerships with youth-led and youth-centered organizations, collaborate with Data Fellows, and work with the Data Co-Op and Learning Network on data issues, particularly public data systems in New York City and State. Fellows help shape advocacy priorities by identifying issues important to young people and engaging decision-makers to push for change. The fellowship runs from October 2026 through June 2027, for up to 10 hours per week, at $17.00 per hour. The position is hybrid and includes monthly in-person strategy meetings at the Options Center, as well as regular and weekly meetings.

Requirements

Must be a current NYC high school junior or senior, a current college student, or taking a gap year.
Excellent communication skills.
Interest in youth advocacy or empowerment.
Ability to commit to working 10 hours a week and attend regular, recurring meetings.
Ability to attend in-person strategy meetings once a month at the Options Center.
Access to Wi-Fi and a computer.

Nice To Haves

Community organizing and political activism experience.

Responsibilities

Create media toolkits promoting #DegreesNYC events and Youth Council priorities.
Engage parents and family members of students to collect testimonies, participate in workshops, and recruit for focus groups.
Establish strategic partnerships with students and youth-centered organizations.
Connect with youth advocacy groups and youth-led organizations whose values align with #DegreesNYC and encourage collaborative initiatives.
Collaborate with Data Fellows to support the priorities of the #DegreesNYC Youth Council.
Attend and participate in events, meetings, and hearings that support #DegreesNYC’s policy agenda.
Attend weekly check-in meetings with the Youth Council Co-Coordinator for Advocacy.
Attend the #DegreesNYC team meeting at least once a month and weekly Youth Council meetings.
Support advocacy campaigns through storytelling, including testimonies, panel discussions, and op-eds.
Engage elected officials and institutional leaders to advocate for student-ready schools and campuses.
Identify opportunities for collaboration with youth-led and youth-centered organizations focused on educational justice.