Summer 2024 

Open Positions in Detail

Digital Service Network (DSN): Spotlight Research

We are recruiting one (1) graduate student to join our Digital Service Network (DSN) project team and work alongside Researcher Colleen Pulawski (supervisor), Community Manager Michaela Caudill, and Fellow Kirsten Wyatt. As part of the DSN’s broader work to promote peer learning among digital government practitioners and highlight promising initiatives to make government service delivery more equitable and effective, we launched the DSN Spotlight series: short-form write-ups that feature innovative work happening across the DSN’s member governments. 

Recent Spotlights feature, for example, the implementation of digital accessibility policies and efforts to foster inclusion in gender-based data collection. Over the course of the Fall semester, these Student Analysts will lead research for and write Spotlights in close collaboration with DSN’s Researcher. This will include identifying initiatives to feature, conducting desk research and interviews with government practitioners from across the U.S., and producing well-crafted write-ups. This SA may also have the opportunity to contribute to the DSN’s larger, more long-term research efforts. 

In this role, you will gain experience with: conducting in-depth qualitative interviews; clearly and concisely synthesizing information from a number of sources; writing actionable research findings that are published to a broad, cross-sector audience; building knowledge of how technology and design can help improve government service delivery; networking with practitioners at the forefront of digital services innovation; and collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team that holds significant government experience. For this role, we are open to student candidates from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, though a strong interest in or experience 

with government work is a plus.

 

Digital Service Network (DSN): UX Research Assistant + Network Engagement

We are recruiting one (1) undergraduate or graduate student to join the Digital Service Network (DSN) team and work closely with Government UXR Program Specialist Kelly Henderson. The Student Analyst will support the development and implementation of initiatives focused on UXR resources for the DSN Resource Library  and desk research related to the UX Foundations project.

The Student Analyst will support the team in sourcing and evaluating relevant resources and supporting ongoing and new programming for the UX Subnetwork through helping to share stories and best practices within the network. Responsibilities may also include writing pieces on UX Foundation building blocks, interviewing government practitioners, and providing assistance with administrative tasks for the UX Subnetwork meeting. At the end of the semester, the Student Analyst may help draft a report or presentation sharing key insights into the process of building out a community of practice focused on human centered design with government teams. 

In addition, the Student Analyst will have the opportunity to connect with and support government practitioners across the digital service landscape, and gain insight into the inner workings of digital transformation in government by joining our UX Subnetwork.

 

Digital Service Network (DSN): Event Communications + Marketing

We are recruiting one (1) undergraduate or graduate student to join the Digital Service Network (DSN) team and work closely with Community Manager Michaela Caudill. The Student Analyst will support the development of a summer event series highlighting exciting work being done in state and local government digital transformation. 

The Student Analyst will also assist the team in full lifecycle event support from planning, marketing and outreach, registration, execution, and follow up. A central component of this work will be event marketing and the development of marketing materials to include event banners, social media posts, and email campaigns. Additionally, the Student Analyst will also have the opportunity to author event recap(s), summarizing key takeaways from the event(s) in the series.

 

Digital Benefits Network (DBN): Research Assistant

The Digital Benefits Network (DBN) team is recruiting a Graduate or Undergraduate Student Analyst to support the DBN’s ongoing research on digital identity in public benefits. This Student Analyst will work closely with Elizabeth Bynum Sorrell (supervisor) and other DBN team members. This role offers hands-on experience in qualitative research (especially desk research and interviewing), writing, and data collection. The Student Analyst will have the opportunity to pursue multiple projects including: a) updating the DBN’s existing landscape research on authentication and identity proofing approaches in public benefits, b) conducting research to document the deployment of mobile driver’s licenses and state single-sign on systems, as well as additional qualitative research related to digital identity. 

This student will gain valuable skills in data collection and management, qualitative interviewing, IRB Human Subjects training, and writing for a government audience, with opportunities for a byline on a DBN/Beeck publication. The student will also participate in mentorship and professional development opportunities including joining DBN team continuing education activities and connecting with practitioners for informational interviews. Ideal candidates for this role will be familiar with qualitative research methods (e.g., desk research, literature reviews, developing research questions), bring strong writing skills, and be comfortable giving and receiving feedback. Knowledge of public benefits programs, computer science, or cybersecurity issues is a plus, but not required.

 

Digital Benefits Network (DBN): Rules as Code (RAC) + Large Language Models (LLM) [2]

Explore the intersection of policy, law, and computer science as one of two Student Analysts helping advance the Digital Benefits Network’s (DBN) work on Rules as Code and Large Language Models. In the spring and summer of 2024, the DBN and the Massive Data Institute (MDI) will host a “Rules as Code (RaC) and Large Language Models (LLMs) Prototyping Challenge,” inviting technologists and policy experts to collaborate in using LLMS to experiment with Rules as Code and assess the capability of currently available LLMs to assist with the translation of benefits eligibility policy into code. Both students will report directly to DBN Senior Director Ariel Kennan and work closely with other DBN team members and partners at MDI. 

Students will be part of an interdisciplinary team solving for a challenge that has potential for high impact across the public benefits ecosystem. The students will participate on a prototyping team and support the overall Challenge (e.g., by writing summaries of other team prototypes/findings). The Student Analysts will help to select public benefits program policy and code frameworks, analyze LLM outputs, and play a vital role in prototyping checkpoints and Demo Day at BenCon 2024, DBN’s signature in-person conference. For students who would like to continue into fall semester, they would have the opportunity to be co-authors on a research paper detailing the findings from the prototypes and current LLM benchmarks for Rules as Code. Ideal candidates possess a background in public policy, law, or computer science, with an interest in prototyping with LLMs.

 

Digital Benefits Network (DBN): Comms/Social Media

Join the DBN as a student Communications Analyst and elevate your communication and social media skills while working on an impactful project! The Digital Benefits Network (DBN) is seeking a student analyst (graduate or undergraduate) to support the DBN’s communications strategy and outreach. This student will work closely with the DBN’s Program + Data Manager, Maya Salameh (supervisor), the DBN’s Senior Director, Ariel Kennan, and other members of the team. The DBN is a network-based project that regularly reaches hundreds of subscribers through our newsletter and social media channels. We also run an open source resource library, the Digital Benefits Hub, which receives over 2,000 visitors a month. Accordingly, spotlighting and sharing resources, information, and opportunities is central to our work. The Student Analyst will work on projects including crafting social media posts to amplify DBN newsletters, events, and resources. 

The student will also contribute to outreach strategy development for BenCon 2024 (DBN’s signature, in-person event) especially branding and visual identity. This student analyst will also gain hands-on experience in social media analytics, user persona development, communications strategy, and writing for accessibility for accessibility. The student will also have the opportunity to take the lead on a strategy and data analysis project and present insights to the team, enhancing your presentation skills. Ideal candidates bring familiarity with LinkedIn and X social media platforms and strong writing skills. Experience with communications or branding is a plus, but not required.

 

Beeck Center Program and Operations

The Beeck Center Programs team is recruiting an undergraduate student to work alongside the Acting Director of Programs, Grace Lacy-Hansell. The Programs team works across all Beeck Center projects to support cross-project needs and facilitate collaboration. This SA role will focus on the following areas: 

• CRM Support: Learn about the civic-tech ecosystem through building out information in our database of organizations and network members. 

• Developing Project Resources: Interview project members and consolidate project resources into a shared library (e.g. creating templates, cataloging resources). 

• Measurement and Evaluation: Learn about social impact M&E through helping track and evaluate impact metrics across projects. 

• Additional Work: The student in this role will also have the opportunity to work with their supervisor to build out additional areas of work that align with their interests and areas for growth, capacity permitting. 

Through this role, the SA will gain skills in organization, written and verbal professional communication, confidence in the workplace, and project management. Learn more about the Beeck Center projects here.

 

Beeck Center Business Development + Grants

The Beeck Center business development team is recruiting one junior or senior undergrad student to work alongside Lucie Bonneville, Development + Grants Manager and support Grace Lacy-Hansell, Acting Director of Programs. The Beeck Center’s business development and grant management team is cross-cutting, responsible for securing funding, maintaining funder relations, and managing and reporting on our active grants, gifts, and revenue-generating contracts. This SA role will focus on the following areas: 

• Funder research and landscape: Learn about the civic tech and private funder ecosystem by conducting research and creating a funder landscape tool with foundation information, portfolios and priority investment areas, similar grantees, contact information, strategic alignment, ongoing grant opportunities, etc. 

• Grant management and reporting: Help streamline and track the progress of grant deliverables and compile information on status and project activities for grant reports and grant check-ins over the summer. 
• CRM support: Migrate existing and new funder landscape information into the Beeck Center’s CRM, including organizational and contact information. 

Through this role, the SA will gain valuable skills and experience in nonprofit operations, project management, business development, grant reporting, research, and organization. Learn more about the Beeck Center projects here. 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Government

Explore governments’ role in hiring AI talent, acquiring AI tools, and putting those tools to use. This work will be in support of research and planning for three roundtables in collaboration with the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and the Tech Institute. This student will especially focus on the role of government as a buyer of AI, which will be the topic of the Beeck Center-led roundtable in Fall 2024. This role will involve both research and project management components. The student will report to the Acting Director of Programs, Grace Lacy-Hansell, but will work closely with other members of the team including Fellow Aaron Snow, among others. This role is ideal for a student with an interest in the intersection of AI and government who is excited about team coordination and bringing an event from idea to execution. They will also have the opportunity to interact with other Tech & Society Centers and be a part of our Student Analyst cohort.

 

GovTech: Research Assistant

As a GovTech Research Assistant at the Beeck Center, this student will play a vital role in supporting our GovTech Project Researcher and Fellow turning big ideas into actionable insights in the field of government technology (GovTech). Based on scoped research activities, this student will be responsible for collecting comprehensive information, documenting existing solutions and gaps, and contributing to the publication of landscape scans, findings, stories, case examples, and insights to be shared across our networks. This position will provide valuable experience and growth in research, design, public sector technology, and storytelling, community of practice development, network engagement, and writing.

APPLY HERE