Job Description
2026 D.C. State Board of Education Summer Fellow (Washington, DC)
Job Description
If you are interested in helping improve the educational outcomes of students while expanding your skills in education policy and operations management for a state-level government agency, then you may be the ideal person to join the D.C. State Board of Education (State Board) team.
The State Board is made up of nine elected representatives, one representing each of the district's wards, and one representing D.C. at large. There are also four appointed student representatives. The State Board advises the Office of the State Superintendent on education matters, sets academic standards and graduation requirements, and oversees the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education and the Office of the Student Advocate.
We are searching for an extremely organized and passionate Summer Fellow to assist State Board staff with research, the drafting of resolutions, reports, and blog posts on a variety of education policy topics, and attendance at August back-to-school events across D.C. In addition to education policy-related tasks, the Summer Fellow will support the State Board with its day-to-day operations and statutory responsibilities. Professional development opportunities will also be available.
The Summer Fellow should be comfortable communicating with people throughout the organization, including the elected State Board members, able to solve problems and improvise as needed, and be adept at estimating and managing time for various tasks. The ideal candidate is a natural coordinator with a strong sense of big-picture objectives and a sharp eye for detail.
Key Projects and Responsibilities
· Assist in drafting state and ceremonial resolutions, reports, and State Board Slate blog posts
· Track education legislation, news, research, public events, and trends in education policy affecting the State Board
· Attend and support evening working sessions and public meetings (typically on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month)
· Assist in the preparation and execution of State Board meetings and events
· Attend morning and afternoon back-to-school events
· Provide any additional policy and administrative support as needed
The Summer Fellow will have the following skills, interests, and experience:
· Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills
· Exhibits outstanding organizational skills and a keen attention to detail
· Comfortable presenting work to colleagues, Board members, and other audiences
· Able to take the lead on projects while showing an openness to receiving feedback and asking clarifying questions
· Must be interested in education/social policy
· Has intellectual curiosity, strong problem-solving abilities, and openness to professional development
Compensation and Time Commitment:
Compensation for the Fellow incumbent is capped at $20 per hour with an expected work schedule of 25–30 hours per week. The Summer Fellowship will run from June 1 – August 28, 2026. Hours are flexible. In-person attendance in the office, as well as participation in a few evening meetings per month, will be required.
To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Darren Fleischer at Darren.Fleischer@dc.gov, explaining why you would like to work for the State Board. Please include “SBOE 2026 Summer Fellow” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply for the 2026 Summer Fellowship is Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The State Board is an equal‑opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.