Community Engagement Intern (SY25-26)

REPORTS TO: Director of Communications and Community Engagement

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Community Engagement Intern resides in the Office of Capital Planning within the Operations Division of the Boston Public Schools reporting to the Director of Communications. The Community Engagement Intern is responsible for providing support to school leaders students and families in navigating transitions related to school closures and merger; Provide training to BPS school leaders through a prototype playbook designed for school leaders to access and reference throughout transitionary school years; and provide ongoing support services to BPS students undergoing closure or merger related transitions via accessible student-centered narratives or social stories; Administer a research-based tool to assess student performance and social-emotional competencies following school closure or merger.

The Community Engagement Intern will provide comprehensive services aligned with BPS standards ensuring measurable progress in the targeted areas to advance the mission of the Boston Public Schools. The position will have a particular emphasis on community engagement with flexibility to shift between tasks in multiple areas. The Community Engagement Intern will serve in a temporary seasonal role within the Office of Capital Planning. The Community Engagement Intern will also be responsible for having a particular expertise in written communication and with regard to audience engagement educational equity and strategic transformation..

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment Tool to Track Outcomes for BPS Students Post-Transition

• Administer a research-based tool to assess student performance and social-emotional competencies following school closure or merger.
• Identify key success indicators and data sources that can inform the districts approach to evaluating the long-term impacts of school transitions.
• Provide a framework for tracking and analyzing student academic and socio-emotional outcomes following a school closure or merger.

School Leader Transition Playbook Prototype

• Create a prototype for a playbook designed for school leaders to access and reference throughout the transitional school year leading up to closure or transitional year(s) following or preceding a school merger.
• Provide training to BPS school leaders on effective research-based strategies for effective transition implementation.
• Conduct research on evidence-based best practices for school transitions.

Support for School Transitions via Social Stories

• Provide ongoing support services to BPS students undergoing closure or merger related transitions in an accessible format.
• Produce a series of engaging visually appealing stories that can be shared with students families and educators to support a smooth transition experience.

Qualifications - Required:

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in education policy urban planning public administration social work communications or a related field.
• 0 years of experience in an education administration setting are required however appropriate expertise to deliver the services is necessary and can be obtained through a combination of educational professional or volunteer experiences.

• Strong research and analytical skills with experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.
• Excellent written communication and storytelling abilities with a keen understanding of audience engagement.
• Passion for educational equity community engagement and strategic transformation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Current authorization to work in the United States
• An understanding of and commitment to gain greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to enjoy continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
• A deeply held and unyielding belief in the overarching mission of public education.

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Familiarity with Boston and Boston Public Schools

Terms: Hourly.

The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate on the basis of race color age criminal record physical or mental disability pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions homelessness sex/gender gender identity religion national origin ancestry sexual orientation genetics natural or protective hairstyle military status immigration status English language proficiency or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process please contact the Accommodations Unit at

Required Experience:

Intern