Work with Us

Company Overview: Close Up Foundation’s mission is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. As a non-profit/non-partisan leader in civic education since 1971, we believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens. Close Up primarily achieves our mission by engaging middle and high School students from across the United States on week-long programs based in Washington, DC. Close Up staff leads students through a life-changing educational experience which includes historic sites, iconic monuments and memorials, Smithsonian museums, meetings with elected officials and key public policy experts.

Position Overview: The Program Assistant cares for the well-being of middle and high school student participants in the field, while supporting Curriculum and Program Services staff. They work closely with Program Leaders to meet emergent needs.

Schedule: Shifts reflect the needs of the program schedules we are running on any given week. Typical shifts available: Monday 8:30am-8:30pm, Tuesday 8am-8pm, Wednesday 10am-10pm or 7am-10pm, and Thursday 8am-8pm or 9am-5pm. Occasionally we need coverage Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We have different needs weekly, however, you can expect to work between 12-28 hours each week March through June, depending on your availability.

Benefits and Compensation: All meals for Program Assistants are covered while working. The position offers paid training, including CPR certification. The hourly rate is $13.50.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage healthcare concerns of students under the direction of Program Leaders and our medical care partners
• Supervise, escort, and/or monitor students in need of medical care and deliver palliative care as directed; use metro and/or Uber and Lyft to transport students as needed
• Assist students with dietary needs in finding proper meals on program
• Record all instances of reported medical concerns
• Assist program staff with moving large groups of students in and out of sites and locating and transporting students who are separated from the group
• Perform administrative tasks including counting/sorting handouts, certificates, photos, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Physically capable of keeping up with the intensity of the program schedule, hopping on and off buses throughout the day, and coordinating the movement of students – in varying weather conditions
• Authorization to work in the U.S. for any employer
• Willingness to submit to a criminal background screening and professional reference check

Other Qualifications

• Comfortable interacting with middle and high school students, their guardians and healthcare professionals
• Ability to exhibit patience, understanding, approachability, and flexibility while interacting with students who are not feeling well and are away from familiar surroundings
• Ability to communicate in a direct and sensitive fashion
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and and manage/balance stressful situations
• Professional demeanor and strong work ethic
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Experience caring for middle and/or high school students
• Familiarity with navigating Washington, DC and the metro

Qualified candidates should email their résumé to jobs@closeup.org. Only applicants selected to interview will be contacted. No recruiters, please.

Company Overview: Close Up Foundation’s mission is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. As a non-profit/non-partisan leader in civic education since 1971, we believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens.

Position Overview: Program Instructors engage Middle and High School students from across the United States in controversial public policy discussions while using the nation’s capital as our classroom. They lead students through a life-changing educational experience which includes historic sites, iconic monuments and memorials, Smithsonian museums, meetings with elected officials and key public policy experts. Program Instructors facilitate multi-partisan issue-based debates for learning reinforcement.

Scheduled Hours: The Program Instructor schedule is not a standard nine-to-five work week.

• Each week mirrors the program schedule to which an Instructor is assigned, generally a 55-hour week.
• Program schedules typically run from 8am through 10pm most days, and programs usually start late afternoon on Sundays and run through Thursday night.
• Most programs are based in Washington, D.C. but there are opportunities to travel to New York City, Florida, Texas and other historic sites.

Contract Dates, Compensation & Benefits: Beyond the initial contract, there is room for growth at the Foundation.

• We are currently hiring for a contract period of January 2, 2020 – July 31, 2020.
• Benefits include medical, dental and life insurance with low cost premiums.
• Free parking and/or mass transit subsidy is available and all program meals are provided.
• 120 hours of paid pre-program training in our curriculum, methodology and programing followed by on-going professional development that sets up Program Instructors for success.
• The opportunity to earn a free graduate credit upon completion of the contract with an accompanying research paper is available.

Responsibilities: The Program Instructor prepares and leads daily program components. They will hop on and off buses throughout the day, coordinating the movement of a large group of students on all program activities in the Washington, D.C. area and other program locations.

Qualifications: Candidates will be asked to teach a short lesson as part of the interview process.

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in political science, history, education, social science or related field)
• Authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer
• Demonstrated passion for working with diverse students in grades 6-12
• Interest in current public policy issues, history, politics, government and experiential education

If you are excited about the prospect of becoming a Program Instructor, we welcome you to apply and explore how you can be part of an amazing network of Program Instructors who have led more than 900,000 students over 45 years through a once-in-a-lifetime Close Up experience.

To apply, submit an email to jobs@closeup.org explaining why you’d make a great Program Instructor and attach your résumé. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Employment offers are contingent upon receipt of proof of undergraduate degree and a favorable criminal background check.