Make Textbooks Affordable Campaign Associate

The Public Interest Network

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student PIRGs are recruiting an Associate to work on our Make Textbooks Affordable campaign. We’re living in a new era of information. You can learn almost anything, from calculus and biology to how to change the oil in your car, online. And the cost to reproduce this information digitally is effectively zero. Yet, textbooks and course materials are still expensive. Over the past 4 decades, the price of books has increased three times faster than inflation, and 65% of students continue to skip purchasing materials due to cost. That’s why the Student PIRGs are hiring an associate to advocate for the switch to Open Access Textbooks. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to public interest and/or student issues, and a track record of leadership.
Goal-driven and results-oriented.
Excellent communication skills.
Work well with all kinds of people, and aren’t afraid to get outside their comfort zones.
Passionate about making positive change. Change takes time, and is often incremental; we’re looking for people who are excited to work hard every day, even if it’s just for one small step in the right direction.

Responsibilities

Recruit and inspire hundreds of students to get involved with our Make Textbooks Affordable campaign and start new Student PIRGs Clubs on campuses across the country.
Meet with faculty to encourage them to switch to open textbooks in their classrooms.
Build relationships with campus administrations, campus libraries, elected officials, campus media, student government, and more.
Produce and distribute campaign materials.
Build and maintain relationships with important coalitions and represent the Student PIRGs in national coalitions.
Work with champions in Congress to pass the Affordable College Textbook Act and renew federal funding for the Open Textbooks Pilot Program.
Generate media coverage for the campaign.
Research and write an annual report on textbook affordability.
Organize national events to drive action, like Open Access week in October and Open Education Week in March