Local Government Project (LGP) Temporary Research Specialist - Cornell Law School and the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Law School is a globally recognized institution known for excellence in legal scholarship, teaching, and experiential learning. The school offers JD, LLM, and JSD programs and is home to leading scholars and practitioners engaged in innovative legal research across a wide range of disciplines.

The Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic’s dual mission is to teach students important aspects of the First Amendment and to vigorously defend its clients’ First Amendment rights. Through coursework and cutting edge First Amendment litigation, advocacy and research, students gain theoretical and practical skills while achieving the best possible outcomes for their clients. Aside from its free speech litigation work, the Clinic houses the Local Journalism Project, an innovative initiative that provides focus to the Clinic’s work on behalf of local and community news outlets and journalists and the Local Government Project, which examines how democratic values – especially free expression – are functioning at the local government level.

About The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy is Cornell University's interdisciplinary public policy school, dedicated to advancing evidence-based solutions to society's most pressing challenges through research, teaching, and public engagement. The school brings together leading scholars, practitioners, and students to address issues including democracy and governance, technology policy, health policy, social inequality, sustainability, and global development. Through its commitment to impactful research and community engagement, the Brooks School prepares future leaders while supporting public institutions and policy innovation at the local, national, and global levels.

   

Cornell Law School, through its First Amendment Clinic, and the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy seek a highly motivated, entrepreneurial, and data-driven professional to serve as the Local Government Project (LGP) Temporary Research Specialist. This position supports a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening First Amendment protections and open government practices within New York State school boards.

 

Working under the supervision of Mark Jackson, Director of the First Amendment Clinic at Cornell Law School, and in collaboration with Paul Eastburg Friesen, Research Associate at the Center for Global Democracy at the Brooks School of Public Policy, the Research Specialist will lead the completion of a statewide pilot project examining school board policies and practices through a First Amendment lens.

 

The project seeks to identify opportunities for improvement in public participation policies, promote transparency, enhance freedom of expression, and support effective democratic governance at the local level. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with university researchers, students, community stakeholders, advocacy organizations, and school board officials across New York State.

 

This position is generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.

 

Project Background

The Local Government Project has been underway for six months and has already collected public participation policies from approximately one-third of New York State school boards. An interim report summarizing initial findings has been completed.

 

The Research Specialist will assume primary responsibility for:

·        Completing statewide data collection efforts.

·        Managing and supporting undergraduate and graduate student research assistants.

·        Examining how school board policies are implemented in practice.

·        Identifying trends, challenges, and best practices related to public participation and First Amendment rights.

·        Delivering a comprehensive final report with findings and recommendations.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver:

·        A completed statewide database of school board policies and practices.

·        A draft final report summarizing project findings and recommendations.

 

Responsibilities:

·        Follow and implement the project's established methodology and research protocols for collecting and analyzing school board policies and practices.

·        Expand and complete the statewide database of school board public participation policies.

·        Assess policy implementation through qualitative and quantitative research methods.

·        Network and build relationships with citizens, advocates, school board members, administrators, and other local government stakeholders throughout New York State.

·        Identify emerging issues related to First Amendment rights, public participation, transparency, and open government.

·        Coordinate and supervise undergraduate and graduate student research assistants.

·        Collaborate closely with faculty, clinic staff, fellows, and student researchers across Cornell Law School and the Brooks School.

·        Analyze findings and develop recommendations aimed at enhancing First Amendment protections within school board governance.

·        Prepare and submit a final written report describing project findings and future opportunities for research and policy development.

·        Participate in project meetings and provide regular updates on research progress.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

·        Bachelor's degree with 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in public policy, law, government, research, social science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

·        Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

·        Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities.

·        Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing research data.

·        Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including public officials, citizens, advocacy organizations, and academic partners.

·        Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating student researchers or project teams.

·        Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

·        Commitment to public service, democratic engagement, and collaborative problem-solving.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Undergraduate degree from the Brooks School of Public Policy with 3 to 5 years of relevant experience.

·        Experience working with First Amendment, open government, transparency, or civil rights issues.

·        Familiarity with New York State local government or education governance structures.

·        Experience conducting policy analysis and data-driven research projects.

·        Demonstrated interest in democracy, civic engagement, public administration, or constitutional law.

 

 

Ideal Candidate:

·        Entrepreneurial and self-directed.

·        Passionate about strengthening democratic institutions.

·        Skilled at managing research projects from start to finish.

·        Comfortable engaging with a broad network of stakeholders.

·        Detail-oriented and committed to producing high-quality, evidence-based work.

·        Experienced in balancing independent work with collaborative team environments.

 

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in the role and how your background, experience, and career goals make you a strong fit for this opportunity.

Part-Time, Temporary Position (up to 19 hours/week)
Location: Ithaca, NY or Remote*
Duration: Up to six months from hire date.
Compensation: $40-$65/hour
Benefits Eligibility: Not eligible for Cornell benefits.

No relocation assistance or visa sponsorship is provided for this position.

*Note: The position may be conducted remotely within the United States (pending university approval). Please note that New York convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for the position if the work is conducted outside of NYS. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside NYS.

 

   

University Job Title:

Temporary Research Support - SP

   

Job Family:

Temporary Academic Support

   

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

   

Contact Name:

Liz Flint

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-10-05