Reporter/editor, Insideschools.org

Insideschools.org — the leading independent, non-profit website about NYC public schools with more than 130,000 visitors per month — seeks a reporter with interest in covering the city's schools and writing about education. Insideschools features reviews of every public school and provides information to help parents navigate the NYC public school system. Insideschools sends out bi-monthly e-mail news alerts and maintains a blog. Insideschools is a project of Advocates for Children of New York.

The ideal candidate will have excellent writing, reporting, and editing skills and an interest in Web 2.0 applications.

Specific assignments include:

• Visiting schools and writing reviews
• Updating school information on the site
• Reporting public school and education news on blog and in longer articles
• Contributing articles and helping to edit bi-monthly news alerts
• Helping to create and integrate new Web features

Requirements:

• Excellent reporting, editing and communication skills
• Interest in and knowledge of education issues
• Ability to work well independently and in a team
• Organizational skills, flexibility, initiative, maturity, cooperative attitude
• Ability to keep a cool head in a busy atmosphere
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines

Recommended skills:

• Web design, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Access skills, or a willingness to learn
• Bilingual ability a plus
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Journalism

The work environment is friendly and collaborative and there is a good benefits package. We're open to recent Journalism School grads or a seasoned pro who's ready to go non-profit in a welcoming and flexible environment.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to the attention of Rebecca Zwilling, Advocates for Children, 151 West 30th Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Advocates for Children is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from a broad spectrum of people, including people of color, with disabilities, and of diverse gender identities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds.

AmeriCorps VISTA, Insideschools.org

Advocates for Children/Insideschools seeks an Information and Resource Associate who will will update, write, and develop content for, and expand AFC's websites, particularly www.insideschools.org. Specific assignments will include visiting and reviewing schools, contributing to the Insideschools blog, and updating school information on the website. He or she also will recruit and supervise volunteers and interns to assist with the Insideschools site and conduct outreach to new audiences and community-based organizations. Position will be available June 2008.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Interest in and knowledge of educational issues
• Ability to work well with others on collaborative projects
• Bachelor's degree
• Organizational skills, flexibility, initiative, maturity, cooperative attitude
• Ability to keep a cool head in a busy atmosphere
• Americorps VISTA members must be 18 or above, and must either be United States citizens or hold a green card

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to the attention of Philissa Cramer.

Compensation: This one-year position is offered through the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. AmeriCorps provides an annual stipend of $11,000, an education award or additional stipend, and health insurance. AFC also provides a monthly Metrocard. (please visit http://www.americorps.org/ for more details)

AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from a broad spectrum of people, including people of color, with disabilities, and of diverse gender identities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Grant Writer, Insideschools.org

Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) seeks a grant writer to work on a consulting basis to help develop support for our for Insideschools.org website. AFC is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with our city's poorest and most vulnerable families to help their children succeed in school and to advocate on behalf of all New York City students for access to an equal and quality public education. Insideschools.org provides up-to-date, meaningful, independent information on NYC schools for parents and others with an interest in the school system. The site's small staff independently reviews over 1,500 New York City public and charter schools and makes important information on the school department's policies and practices accessible to the public.

Position Summary:

The grant writer is responsible for developing/adapting proposals so that they are marketable to funders. He/she conducts research on potential funders, maintains an awareness of donor activities, writes the proposals, and works with AFC staff to edit the proposals to the stage of submission.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct research to analyze potential funders, and be able creatively to draw linkages to Insideschools.org
• Synthesize complex information into clear and concise grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and stewardship materials.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Senior-level writer needed with a minimum of three years experience
• Excellent prospect research skills, including using online databases and the Internets
• Must be able to work independently and under deadlines
• Superior analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills, displaying precision and attention to detail
• Interest in education a plus

For more information about AFC and Insideschools.org, please visit our websites at
www.advocatesforchildren.org and www.Insideschools.org.

To apply, please send a cover letter with compensation requirements, resume, contact
information for two references, and a writing sample to Ivette Greenblatt. No phone calls or faxes please.  

AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from a broad spectrum of people, including people of color, with disabilities, and of diverse gender identities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds.