Strategic Communications Fellow
2026-2027 Strategic Communications Fellow (Washington, DC)
Job Description
Interested in education policy and how it can help students achieve their highest potential? Want to hone your skills as a communications professional in the public policy/government sector? Consider joining the D.C. State Board of Education’s team.
We are looking for an imaginative, resourceful and spirited Strategic Communications Fellow to support the State Board’s ongoing reputation building, thought leadership and public engagement efforts. The selected candidate will report to the agency’s Public Information Officer.
Responsibilities include the following:
- Help ideate, draft, publish and distribute content that advances objectives, including but not limited to social media posts, short-form videos, policy blogs, opinion editorials and press releases
- Support development and deployment of multi-channel campaigns
- Assist with updates to the State Board’s current website, including headline rotation, adding new content, and removing outdated information
- Support the Public Information Officer’s ongoing effort to modernize the agency’s website
- Help produce monthly and quarterly digital media analytics reports
- Support and promote monthly public engagement efforts
- Be available in the evenings on the first and third Wednesday of each month to attend official State Board meetings
- Monitor messages received through social media and coordinate responses
- Monitor and report internally on relevant education and political trends, as well as local developments
- Take lead on a culminating project that supports the work of the State Board
- Provide any additional support to the State Board members and staff as needed
The Strategic Communications Fellow will have the following skills, interests, and experience:
- Strong, adaptable writing and storytelling skills
- Adequate graphic design abilities and familiarity with graphic design software
- Savvy with social media and website best practices
- Strong research skills
- Analytic, detail-oriented, organized and creative
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and social media
- Holds intellectual curiosity, strong problem-solving abilities, and openness to professional development
- Interest and prior experience in media, content creation, and digital communications
- Previous experience in a leadership role is preferred
- Graduate students are encouraged to apply
About the State Board
The State Board was established on June 12, 2007, consists of nine elected members, and is responsible for advising the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) on educational matters, including state standards and state policies—including those governing special, academic, vocational, charter and other schools, state objectives, and state regulations proposed by the Mayor or OSSE. The State Board has approval authority for many important educational issues as well.
Compensation and time commitment
Fellows are paid $20 per hour and are expected to work 25–30 hours per week. The Strategic Communications Fellowship is scheduled to last from September 2026 through June 2027 (about 9 months). Hours are flexible, and in-person attendance in the office and at a few evening meetings per month will be expected.
To Apply
If you are interested in this position, please send Darren Fleischer (at Darren.fleischer@dc.gov) a resume and cover letter explaining why you want to work for the State Board. Please include “SBOE Strategic Communications Fellow 2026-2027” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply for the 2026 fellowship is Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The State Board is an equal-opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.