JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Political Research Associates

Political Research Associates is a Somerville-based think tank that fuses journalistic reporting techniques with traditional research to produce reports on the American right-wing in support of movements for reproductive and GLBT rights, environmentalism, civil liberties, and religious freedom.

Founded 25 years ago, PRA has become one of the country's most respected progressive think tanks.  It is the publisher of The Public Eye magazine, a quarterly on the American right read by scholars, activists, and journalists.

PRA is an equal opportunity employer.

Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression Project Lead Investigator

Political Research Associates (PRA) is an independent, non-profit research organization, established in 1981 in response to the emergence of the New Right.  PRA’s incisive research and analysis on the full spectrum of the U.S. Right’s movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights supply social change makers with the depth and breadth of information needed to challenge systemic oppression.  Social justice advocates have hailed PRA as the critical resource for information and insights about the Right that enable them to develop and implement innovative, strategic campaigns to counter the Right and build a society where human rights for all is truly the norm.

Lead Investigator on Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression

New relationships among federal, state, and local police agencies have greatly expanded the government’s capacity for domestic surveillance and policing.  This enhanced capacity is being deployed within a national security framework that blurs the lines between dissent and terrorism and between Muslims – among other suspect groups – and terrorists.  In the years since the 9/11 attacks, freedom of information requests and vigorous legal defense of the targets of surveillance and other repressive measures have surfaced important clues about the configuration of these new and expanded relationships, many of which are coordinated through Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and “fusion centers.”  With a few notable exceptions, however, such information has emerged and been presented by journalists and advocates in fragments.  There is as yet no map of the overarching infrastructure of these domestic spying and counter-terrorism operations.

The Lead Investigator will direct an 18-month investigation into the coordination (and operations) of federal and local policing agencies, particularly through JTTFs and fusion centers. This investigation will produce information and analysis of strategic value to the civil liberties community, organizers and advocates whose communities may be targeted as terrorism threats, journalists, and policy makers in the form of reports, articles, press releases, etc.

Duties Include:

1. Research plan design & implementation
2. Extensive literature review, interviewing, and writing;
3. Supervision of consultants and interns.
4. Participation in PRA’s Research Team;
5. Regular travel;
6. Public speaking and media interviews; and
7. Coordination of an advisory committee.

 Qualifications:

1. Excellent research, writing, oral communications, strategic, and interpersonal skills;
2. Substantial familiarity with this field of study;
3. Excellent judgment;
4. Demonstrated ability to set and meet deadlines, set priorities;
5. Ability to lead and serve as member of a team;
6. Commitment to PRA’s mission, values, and goals;
7. Sense of humor, creative thinking, and curiosity; and
8. Advanced degree or substantial experience in relevant field.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and one writing sample no longer than two pages via email to a.lessler@publiceye.org or fax to 617-666-6622.  We are looking to fill this position immediately and will consider applications as they are received. Final deadline: September 26, 2008.

PRA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Campus Antisemitism & Islamophobia Project Lead Investigator

Political Research Associates (PRA) is an independent, non-profit research organization, established in 1981 in response to the emergence of the New Right.  PRA’s incisive research and analysis on the full spectrum of the U.S. Right’s movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights supply social change makers with the depth and breadth of information needed to challenge systemic oppression.  Social justice advocates have hailed PRA as the critical resource for information and insights about the Right that enable them to develop and implement innovative, strategic campaigns to counter the Right and build a society where human rights for all is truly the norm.

Lead Investigator – Campus Antisemitism & Islamophobia Project

If there is any location in a civil society where substantive debates over hot button issues of the day should be able to occur, it is on colleges and university campuses with their tradition of unrestrained intellectual exploration, free speech, and academic freedom. Yet this is not the case today with the issues of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, of United States policy in relation to that conflict, and of U.S. foreign policy in the Mideast and surrounding regions. Not only is it rare to encounter civil debate over these issues, but all too often the debates unravel into confrontations laced with Islamophobic and antisemitic statements. In the present period it is difficult to extricate the issues of antisemitism and Islamophobia from one another; they are part of an inter-related dynamic in which demonization and scapegoating often render productive discussion and debate impossible. Students are quickly polarized, and there is little room for genuine questions to be answered, or different solutions weighed for merit.

The Lead Investigator will conduct research into the interrelated phenomena of Islamophobia and antisemitism on U.S. college and university campuses and produce a report of her or his findings for publication.  From a sample of 25 institutions of higher education, the project will assess: the character and extent of these forms of bigotry on campuses; the conditions that give rise to conflict; the key players intentionally and unwittingly fomenting bigotry; guidelines for distinguishing between bigoted and legitimate speech; and opportunities for counteracting campus Islamophobia and antisemitism.  The project period is one year, with the possibility of extension.

Competitive salary and benefits package.

Duties Include:

1. Research plan design & implementation;
2. Extensive literature review, interviewing, and writing;
3. Travel to multiple campuses and conferences;
4. Public speaking and media interviews- Participation in PRA’s Research Team;
5. Participation in PRA’s Research Team; and
6. Coordination of an advisory committee;

 Qualifications:

1. Excellent research, writing, oral communications, strategic, and interpersonal skills;
2. Substantial familiarity with this field of study;
3. Excellent judgment;
4. Demonstrated ability to set and meet deadlines, set priorities;
5. Ability to lead and serve as member of a team;
6. Commitment to PRA’s mission, values, and goals;
7. Sense of humor, creative thinking, curiosity, and a thick skin; and
8. Advanced degree or substantial experience in relevant field. 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and one writing sample no longer than two pages via email to Amy Lessler at: a.lessler@publiceye.org or fax to 617-666-6622.  We are looking to fill this position immediately and will consider applications as they are received. Final deadline: September 26, 2008.

PRA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

OFFICE MANAGER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Political Research Associates (PRA) is a 25-year-old independent nonprofit research center that monitors the political right from a progressive perspective. We serve as a national resource and support center for activists, journalists, educators and others who need to understand the right and its various social and political movements.

We are looking for a well-organized and team-oriented individual to join our eight-person staff. Office Manager/Executive Assistant oversees the smooth functioning of all office systems, conducts day-to-day bookkeeping, prepares for an annual audit, and manages the travel and schedule of the Executive Director.

Primary areas of responsibility include:

Executive Assistant:

• Managing Executive Director’s schedule, correspondence and travel
• Coordinating logistics of semi-annual Board of Directors Meeting & other Board relations tasks

Office Manager:

• Overseeing the accuracy and availability of all organizational records, in cooperation with the Web& Data Manager and Administrative Assistant
• Supervising inventory control; ordering and purchasing office supplies and equipment
• Answering phones and directing callers
• Monitoring and maintaining retirement plan and other staff benefits
• Providing administrative support using Word, Excel, email, and the internet
• Providing administrative support regarding mailing and shipping requirements
• Maintaining personnel records and payroll
• Assisting in the recruitment of personnel, development of organizational procedures, general office communications and systems, and other operational concerns as needed
• Assisting in the planning of monthly speaking series and other events and meetings
• Overseeing the bookkeeper: light bookkeeping, including accounts payable and receivable, expense reimbursement submittal, and assisting in preparation for the annual financial audit
• Occasionally working in conjunction with the Finance Director in producing regular and periodic financial reports and other

Qualifications: Proficient in Word, and Excel; strong organizational skills; ability to work independently with accuracy and attention to detail; ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment; commitment to the vision and mission of PRA. Knowledge of QuickBooks preferred.

Compensation: Salary based on experience. Full benefits.

To Apply: Please email, mail, or fax resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please state why you think you would be a good fit for our organization (www.publiceye.org). Send your application to:

Amy Lessler
Political Research Associates
1310 Broadway, Suite 201 Somerville, MA 02144-1837
a.lessler@publiceye.org
Fax: 617 666-6622

No calls, please. For more information about PRA, consult our website: www.publiceye.org.

PRA is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Internships

Research and Editorial Internship
PRA seeks an intern with experience in journalism or research to assist staff in investigating a variety of right-wing movements and institutions, and producing The Public Eye magazine.  The internship is a minimum 10-hour work week commitment.  Research responsibilities include extensive web, library, or phone research, fact checking, meeting with researchers and analysts, and writing.  The Public Eye responsibilities include assisting the Senior Editor with reporting and research, and copy editing.

Development and Communications Internship
We are looking for an enthusiastic intern interested in working on projects related to development and communications at PRA. The intern will work with the Director of Development and Communications on tasks related to fundraising, public relations, and media communications. Depending on the interest and skills of the applicant, the intern may take on some of the following tasks:

• Researching new potential grant-giving sources;
• Updating and collating donor information;
• Assisting in the organizing and preparations for fundraising events;
• Assisting in the production of newsletters and other communications and marketing materials;
• Assisting in the organizing of promotional events related to PRA publications;
• Assisting in the drafting of press releases and other public relations communications materials;
• Updating internal media contact lists.

Qualifications/skills: Excellent written communications, editing and proofreading skills; proficient in MS Word, Excel, and graphic related applications; detailed oriented; able to work on short and long-term projects; must be able to work independently and part of a team.

To apply, send a resume, two writing samples and a cover letter detailing why you want to work at Political Research Associates via, fax, email, or traditional mail to:

Amy Lessler
Political Research Associates
1310 Broadway, Suite 201
Somerville, MA 02144-1837
617.666.6622 (fax)
a.lessler@publiceye.org

Winter Session:  Jan - May
Summer Session:  June - Aug
Fall Session:  Sept - Dec