ABOUT US

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion To achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

The Center for Rising Generations

The Aspen Institute's Center for Rising Generations is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. Inspired by the Aspen Institute's strategic plan and supported by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations:

• Works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth and young adults at the Aspen Institute
• Creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond Aspen
• Encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today's challenges

Learn more about our work at https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/center-for-rising-generations/

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Aspen Institute's Center for Rising Generations Associates Program is a transformative year-long program designed to immerse very early career professionals in substantive roles engaging in high priority work. As an Associate, you will have the opportunity to exercise your skills in leading and managing work, engage collaboratively with other associates in your cohort, and connect with a wide range of Aspen Institute staff and programs.

This position reports directly to the Director of Project. The salary for this position is $65,000. The expectation is for this role to be in our Washington, D.C. office a minimum of 2x a week to collaborate with colleagues.

Outcome

Upon completion, candidates will emerge as informed, experienced, and motivated leaders, ready to apply the skills they learned to future projects including leading mission-driven organizations, pursuing advanced studies, engaging communities, and advocacy. The Aspen Institute's Center for Rising Generations Program Associates role will be a transformational experience for young professionals to become influential voices, equipped to navigate future leadership opportunities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead a Project: Candidates will each have primary responsibility to lead one CRG priority project. As a project lead, candidates will be responsible for planning, reporting on progress, building support, troubleshooting, and executing to ensure the project is successful. Projects include:
  
  • Leading CRG's Spring research symposium and crafting CRG's on-going research agenda. In April, CRG will hold its first research symposium with established researchers as well as youth experts. We plan to follow this event by developing a research agenda and a research journal focused on issues important to young people and created by young people.
  • Supporting CRG's initial social media strategy. In early 2025, CRG will launch a social media presence with a focus on elevating youth voice, celebrating Aspen Institute's youth-focused programming, and lifting up organizations that are doing exemplary work with youth.
  • Creating and supporting CRG's Youth Advisory Committee and advising on the creation of a Youth Ideas Festival. CRG will be guided by a youth advisory committee made up of a wide range of youth and young adults. In early 2025, we will need to build out the expectations and responsibilities of the participants, identify and invite potential participants, and hold our first meetings.
  • Building CRG's mentorship platform. Aspen Institute provides an amazing opportunity for young people to engage with seasoned experts across a range of fields. In 2025 we will launch a platform that makes it easy for mentors and mentees to connect for short-term engagements on flexible schedules.
  • Crafting and implementing a program to connect local youth to Aspen Institute programming. Aspen Institute has a strong DC presence, and is looking to improve its engagement with young people across the DMV. In 2025 we will expand opportunities for local youth to connect to Aspen Institute and participate in Aspen Institute programming.
  • Supporting CRG strategic initiatives with the Executive Vice President. Kaya Henderson, the executive vice president who oversees CRG has a wide range of short term projects from meeting with prospective partners to building agendas for collaborative meetings, to representing CRG publicly.
• Participate in a Cohort: Through regular meetings, professional development opportunities, and shared skill-building sessions, candidates will help teach and learn from their fellow cohort participants while also getting support from experienced leaders.
• Collaborate with Your Peers: While candidates are leading their own projects, they will also work collaboratively with other cohort participants to support their work. Candidates will have the opportunity to work across projects to apply their skills, support other cohort members, and ensure that all projects are successful.
• Expand your Professional Network: Throughout the program, participants will attend conferences, participate in Aspen Institute's wider network events, and receive tailored career guidance to prepare them for their next challenge.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

The program is aimed at very early career professionals who demonstrate:

• Bachelor's Degree and 1-3 years' experience
• A passionate commitment to increasing opportunities for rising generations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively to complete complex projects
• Ability to plan multi-faceted projects, operate nimbly while adhering to the plan, and report effectively on progress
• Ability to ask for assistance when projects are at risk of going off track
• An interest in expanding and applying concrete leadership skills
• Exceptional analytical, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• A readiness to engage deeply with complex issues and diverse perspectives.
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission and vision of the Aspen Institute's Center for Rising Generations.

Key Competencies:

1. Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work with others in non-hierarchical settings. Disposition towards finding ways to contribute and to engage others who are interested in contributing. Willingness to support others and to seek support when needed.

2. Eagerness to Learn: Willingness to take on new tasks, to seek help, support, and guidance and to propose bold solutions. Ability to receive critical feedback and to apply new approaches to address challenges. Ability to demonstrate flexibility in finding paths to success.

3. Willingness to Engage: Ability to identify means of making significant contributions within the context of project priorities, to creatively move projects forward and to seek unconventional solutions. Nimbleness in shifting approaches when needed, while maintaining a commitment to project priorities.

4. Accountability for Outcomes: Ability to work effectively with senior leaders at Aspen to ensure that projects for which candidates have primary responsibility achieve desired outcomes on the prescribed timelines.

5. Professionalism: Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the professional environment of the Aspen Institute.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter that explains your interest in the Center for Rising Generations; ranks the top three projects listed under "What You Will Do" that are most interesting to you; and explains why you want to develop your leadership skills through those specific projects.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.