ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS

The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s strategic plan and supported by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations:

• Works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth and young adults at the Aspen Institute

• Creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond the Aspen Institute

• Encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today’s challenges

CRG supports placing early career professionals in high-responsibility positions throughout the Aspen Institute to create opportunities for career growth and to ensure youth voice is reflected across the Institute.

EDUCATION AND SOCIETY

The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program (ESP) improves public education by inspiring, informing, and influencing education leaders across policy and practice, with an emphasis on achieving equity for students of color and students from low-income families. The program supports leaders at all levels, from networks of urban superintendents and their teams to state chiefs and their cabinets, to elected officials and their staffers.

Learn more about our work at https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/education-and-society-program/

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Education and Society CRG Associate will have primary responsibility for two projects, both focused on expanding the program’s ability to lead a national conversation about what young people need to be prepared for the future and the policies that will move the country toward that direction - a “new north” star for education in the United States. The associate will support Education and Society’s efforts in this endeavor with two key initiatives. First, Education and Society will build a survey strategy, in partnership with a nationally recognized survey and analytics group, to ensure youth voice is central to this new movement for national education advancement. Second, the associate will support Education and Society’s effort to build a dynamic Insights Accelerator, leveraging national research to communicate “the why” behind successful programs and showcasing the great work already happening in schools across the country.

The salary for this opportunity is $65,000. This term-limited position is set to begin April 20th, 2026, and will end April 23, 2027. The expectation is for this position to work out of the Washington D.C. office at least three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

With new leadership and the establishment of the intergenerational Rising Generations Strategy Group, the Education and Society program shifted its focus toward building a public conversation about what young people need for a successful future. Critical to this work is the inclusion of youth voice in discussions and decision-making. The CRG Associate for Education and Society will engage in two projects that support this approach.

The associate will lead Education and Society’s national survey strategy. To help create an intergenerational space and curate/amplify key insights, Education and Society plans to partner with researchers to design and implement a national survey capturing youth perspectives on education and real-world readiness to inform key stakeholders nationally. The CRG Associate for Education and Society will:

• Work with an established research/polling organization.
• Adapt existing research questions.
• Determine the key insights that we want to gain from a survey.

In addition, the associate will launch a dynamic digital hub for Education and Society, entitled the National Insights Accelerator. The Accelerator will:

• Curate and amplify insights and bright spots that inform and inspire the education field
• Guide states with paths for student success.
• Be presented as an engaging platform that showcases promising practices
• Highlight original thought leadership and pivotal research
• Showcase bright spots in the field

The Associate may have opportunities to participate in other projects and will be expected to contribute to program priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working collaboratively to co-create solutions to complex problems with data visualizations, dynamic tools, or compelling case studies.
• A demonstrated ability to work with others who have different experiences, backgrounds, and opinions.
• An eagerness to learn new skills and apply those skills to ongoing projects.
• The ability to work within a large organization and to navigate differences in priorities and strategies.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner even when sharing disappointing news.
• A willingness to adapt to changing priorities and approaches.
• A spirit of possibility, fun, and optimism.
• Experience reviewing, summarizing, and evaluating research and research methodologies.
• Familiarity consuming large scale surveys and an understanding of existing education-related surveys.
• An understanding of survey methodology and/or experience with research or policies guiding educational excellence.
• Demonstrated experience presenting complex information in simple, easily digestible formats via online media.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Through this one-year experience the CRG Associate will:

• Develop their leadership skills and learn how to operate effectively in a large organization.
• Expand on their ability to develop a work plan; collaborate with others to effectuate the plan; review progress; make adjustments based on outcomes; and complete a project.
• Gain experience in collecting, synthesizing, and sharing data in ways that impact the field and inspire change.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter. Applications for this opportunity will close March 10, 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability.