Nonprofit Management & Education Policy Consultant

Location: Remote

Hours: 20 – 30/week

Rate: $20/hour with opportunities for pay increases based on performance and tenure 

Duration: 9–12 months (flexible start date)

About First State Educate

First State Educate (FSE) is the only nonprofit in Delaware focused solely on strengthening school board leadership to improve student outcomes. We build the capacity of boards through training, research, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that governance decisions reflect community priorities and drive meaningful change in public education.

At a moment when education funding, workforce alignment, and student outcomes are under increasing scrutiny, FSE works to ensure school boards are equipped to make informed, transparent, and impactful decisions that improve public education across the state.

Role Summary

This position works independently on strategic initiatives that span program design, policy research, communications, stakeholder engagement, and event execution. This fellowship is designed Master's level students/graduates with some experience in professional leadership roles. The role requires the ability to understand how education policy, school board governance, and nonprofit strategy intersect in real time and be able to contribute to organizational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance strategic initiatives: Support projects across FSE’s priorities, from school board training to statewide forums; requires ability to apply strategic decision making‑ frameworks, synthesize complex inputs, and translate ideas into actionable steps.
• Conduct targeted policy and landscape research: Gather and analyze data on education governance trends and Delaware specific‑ context; requires strong synthesis skills to produce concise briefs and recommendations for executive use.
• Develop and refine program materials: Create training content, event agendas, and digital learning tools; requires capacity to distill research into practical, user friendly‑ resources that advance board and community goals.
• Project management and coordination: Coordinate milestones across multiple initiatives; requires organizational discipline and ability to prioritize in fast changing‑ conditions.
• Draft external communications and materials: Write emails, one pagers, and social content for partners, funders, and board members; requires clear writing, adaptability to different audiences, and attention ‑to tone and detail.
• Support events and convenings: Assist with planning, logistics, and materials for statewide forums and trainings; requires ability to anticipate needs, manage details, and represent the organization professionally in public settings.
• Contribute to special projects as priorities evolve: Take ownership of emerging tasks (e.g., AI policy pilots, podcast episodes, grant proposals); requires flexibility, problem solving‑, and willingness to navigate ambiguity.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Ability to connect details to broader strategy and anticipate next steps.
• Skilled at gathering, analyzing, and summarizing information quickly.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with sensitivity to audience and tone.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Initiative and adaptability in a fast paced‑, entrepreneurial environment.
• Professionalism and relationship building‑ skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Interest in public education, governance, and nonprofit leadership.