About the Organization
Partners in Education connects community resources with schools and students to support academic success and career readiness. Volunteers serve important roles in all our programs, which include Readers are Leaders, a three-year pilot program providing literacy support in Santa Barbara Unified elementary schools, and the Speaker Collection, in which volunteer guest speakers provide career-related talks and demonstrations to middle and high school classrooms across Santa Barbara County.
Position: Program Coordinator Fellow
We are seeking a curious and collaborative Fellow to support the management of our volunteer program. This position offers the opportunity to apply research skills in an applied educational setting while contributing to improved literacy and career-readiness outcomes for Santa Barbara County students. Due to the iterative nature of our volunteer program and an organizational focus on continuous improvement, the Program Coordinator Intern will encounter a variety of changing duties in support of volunteerism and other program and organizational goals. Partners in Education makes it a priority that its interns find their experience meaningful, educational, and enriching.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Program Coordinator Fellow reports to the Program Manager and will work on a team of college student workers. This position will assist with the following activities:
- Volunteer Management: Recruit, screen, schedule and support a diverse cohort of 50+ volunteers including college students, retirees, school parents, and business professionals
- Process Improvement: Conduct process improvement projects, covering a variety of program processes, including volunteer training, check-in, scheduling, and enterprise processes, including program planning and document creation
- Program Planning: Create schedules, budgets, scopes of work, and other program planning artifacts, in collaboration with key stakeholders
- Program Evaluation: Develop and implement evaluation methods/processes to measure program performance, including volunteer, student, and teacher satisfaction
- Reporting & Analysis: Analyze and report performance data to inform program improvements and share outcomes with stakeholders
Qualifications:
Current PhD student in Education, Psychology, Literacy Studies, or related field
Experience with educational program development, implementation, or evaluation
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently, as well as in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders
- Ability to produce clear and rigorous documentation and analysis
- Research experience including data collection and analysis
- Background in volunteer coordination preferred but not required
Benefits:
- Apply research methodologies in a real-world educational setting
- Network with educational leaders across Santa Barbara Unified School District
- Gain experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation
- Contribute to meaningful community impact through literacy support
Application
Submit a cover letter, resume, and brief statement (500 words max) on the value of volunteerism and at least two best practices for effective management of volunteer-based programs.
The Program Coordinator Fellow will work 10 hours per week for 20 weeks, starting in June 2026.
Position: Internship Development and Evaluation Fellow
The Summer Graduate Research Assistant will support the development and evaluation of the Job Readiness Training and Internship Program by conducting applied research, developing data systems, and analyzing employer engagement strategies. This role will focus on improving how the program recruits, onboards, and partners with local businesses while strengthening the program’s ability to track outcomes and measure impact. The position is designed for a PhD-level student with experience in research methodology, data analysis, workforce development, education policy, or related fields.oved literacy outcomes for elementary students.
Primary Responsibilities:
Program Evaluation & Research
- Conduct a review of best practices in workforce development and employer partnership models
- Analyze existing program data related to student internships, employer participation, and program outcomes
- Develop recommendations to improve employer engagement and internship placement processes
Employer Partnership Research
- Design and implement a structured data collection process for employer partners
- Conduct interviews or surveys with participating businesses to understand workforce needs, barriers to participation, and partnership benefits
- Analyze findings to identify trends and opportunities for program expansion
Data Systems Development
- Assess current data tracking methods for student participation, internship placements, and employer engagement
- Develop or refine data collection tools (surveys, dashboards, reporting templates)
- Create a streamlined system for tracking employer onboarding and internship outcomes
Strategic Program Development
- Identify opportunities to strengthen employer onboarding processes and partnership sustainability
- Produce a final report summarizing findings, recommendations, and data-driven strategies to enhance program effectiveness.
Qualifications:
- Experience with program evaluation or applied research
- Strong data analysis and research skills
- Experience conducting interviews, surveys, or stakeholder research
- Ability to translate research findings into practical program improvements
Skills:
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Data organization and analysis
- Program evaluation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Report writing and presentation
- Background in volunteer coordination preferred but not required
Benefits:
- Apply doctoral research in a real-world educational setting with immediate impact
- Network with industry professionals and educational leaders
- Potential integration with dissertation research
- Gain practical experience in program development and implementation
- Contribute to innovative models for expanding career pathways
Application
Submit a cover letter, CV, and brief proposal (750 words max) outlining potential research questions or approaches you would explore to enhance the effectiveness of the CTE-hosted industry internship model.
The Internship Development and Evaluation Fellow will complete the internship in 200 hours, starting in June 2026.
