Junior Fellow

The USC Annenberg School's Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP) is seeking an exceptional recent graduate as a full-time Junior Fellow working on a range of issues including the role of media and technology in democracy, the future of journalism, and understanding and bridging the political divide.

The Junior Fellow will work closely with CCLP Director and University Professor Geoffrey Cowan, Adam Clayton Powell III, Director of Washington programs, Susan Goelz, CCLP's Office Manager, as well as with CCLP's Senior and Faculty Fellows. The Junior Fellow will serve as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Cowan, provide administrative and research support for public events, policy studies, and be deeply involved in other programmatic activities. The Junior Fellow will also produce and maintain content on the Center's web site, social media and other publications.

To learn more about CCLP activities, applicants should visit our website https://communicationleadership.usc.edu/.

Qualifications and application process

The ideal applicant will be highly organized and possess exceptional research and communication skills, superior academic performance, and solid knowledge of and passion for the areas in which CCLP is engaged. Occasional travel, night and weekend work will be required. The ideal applicant will have been involved in a leadership capacity in activities related to the work of the Center and hold a bachelor’s and/or advanced degree in journalism, communication, international relations, political science, history, public relations, or a related field. 

Applications should be submitted via the USC Careers page and should include the following: 

• Resume or CV 
• A brief essay/cover letter (about one page) explaining why you are interested in this position and how, based on your background, you expect to contribute.
• One or two writing samples showcasing your writing ability and/or research ability (e.g. a paper from class, articles, or blog posts).
• Optionally, based on the topics and themes that our center works on, offer 1-2 proposals each for a) discussion topics and panelists for on-campus conversations that could be organized by CCLP; and b) research projects that we could undertake. 
• Please include professional references and/or letters of recommendation and an academic transcript. 

Additional Information:

• This is a full-time, hybrid, hourly staff position for one year, with an option for a second year. 

• The hourly pay range for this position is $24.00-$26.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

• USC has excellent benefits, including health and dental benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans; tuition benefits for staff and their family; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, transit subsidy program, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

About the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Located in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a national leader in education and scholarship in the fields of communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations. With an enrollment of more than 2,200 students, USC Annenberg offers doctoral, master's and bachelor's degree programs, as well as continuing development programs for working professionals across a broad scope of academic inquiry. The school's comprehensive curriculum emphasizes the core skills of leadership, innovation, service and entrepreneurship and draws upon the resources of a networked university located in the media capital of the world. For additional information, see our website: https://annenberg.usc.edu/.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 1 year, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Administrative support services