Join The New School 

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to approximately 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts (Mannes, Jazz, and Drama), Lang College and the New School for Social Research, and Parsons Paris. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.
 

The Tishman Center supports environmental and climate justice action, innovative design, and transnational movement building. We are committed to bringing an interdisciplinary and justice-oriented approach to contemporary environmental challenges. We have a strong history of building trusted partnerships with grassroots, frontline, and advocacy groups in the environmental justice and climate justice movement both regionally and across the country. A core competency for the Temporary Assistant Project Director is the ability to foster authentic relationships of trust, humility and mutuality grounded in the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. This position reports to the Director of Culture and Design.

Academic institutions committed to climate and environmental justice have a responsibility to build strong, equitable partnerships with those on the frontlines. The Centering Justice body of work at the Tishman Environment and Design Center (Tishman Center) seeks to advance more equitable and inclusive ways of working between academic institutions and impacted communities. 

This is a full-time, fixed-term temporary position for the period of September 2026 through June 2027. The appointment is supported by grant funding and is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds. The position is not expected to continue beyond the stated appointment period.

The Centering Justice Temporary Assistant supports the Centering Justice body of work through logistical, administrative, research and analytical support to each of the following areas:
 

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Core responsibilities fall within four areas of work which compromise the Centering Justice portfolio: 

The Annual Centering Justice Symposia: The annual Centering Justice symposia bring together academic centers committed to climate and environmental justice, EJ and CJ leaders, community-based organizations, and funders from across the country. The role supports the Symposia with the following tasks:

• Maintaining the database of past and current Symposia attendees, ensuring that the information in the database is complete and accurate.

• Supporting communications with Symposia attendees and/or speakers, such as drafting emails, tracking responses, monitoring the CJ Symposium email account and other related tasks.

• Reviewing internal and external documents such as agendas, speaker bios, slides, communications materials and others to ensure accuracy and alignment. 

• On occasion, attend the symposium, providing on-site logistical and administrative support, including note-taking during sessions.

• Other related tasks to support the planning and implementation of the Symposia. 

Community of Practice: The Centering Justice Community of Practice is a collective of nine environmental justice academic centers, led by the Tishman Center and spearheaded by diverse scholars committed to modeling service and accountability to climate and environmental justice communities and movements. The Centering Justice – Temporary Assistant supports the Community of Practice with the following tasks:

• Scheduling quarterly meetings and supporting communications with Community of Practice members, such as drafting emails, tracking responses and other related tasks.

• Supporting the preparation and updating of Community of Practice documentation and materials, including meeting notes, proposals, guidelines, impact highlights and other relevant materials.

• Contributing to Community of Practice projects and grant deliverables (see more detail below).

• On occasion, attending Community of Practice meetings, workshops, convenings or others, providing administrative, logistical and/or communication support.

Mellon Humanities Pilot: The Mellon Foundation provides funding to expand the Centering Justice initiative at the Tishman Center, supporting a pilot partnership to advance connections between the humanities and environmental justice. The pilot model between the Community of Practice and their EJ partners includes seeding projects to support academic centers and their EJ partners, humanities-based projects that fulfill the needs of EJ partners and Arts and Culture collaborations. The Centering Justice – Temporary Assistant supportsAssistantsupports the Mellon Humanities Pilot with the following tasks:

• Supporting the call for proposals for projects.

• Supporting documentation regarding the implementation and monitoring, evaluation and learning of the projects.

• Supporting the creation and maintenance of a database of artistic and cultural collaborations.

Resource Hub: The Tishman Center, in partnership with Centering Justice community members, has put together a selection of resources that can guide work with EJ communities. This curated site serves as a compass for those navigating the intersections of community work and academia or other sectors. The Centering Justice – Temporary Assistant supports the Centering Justice Resource Hub with the following tasks:

• Conducting research on relevant resources, compiling information, links to sources and key documents, and others.

• Supporting the maintenance of the Centering Justice Resource Hub website, including organizing and updating relevant resources in coordination with the Communications Team.

• Other related tasks to support the Centering Justice Resource Hub.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong written, listening, and verbal communication skills with a record of impact for change

• Commitment to the Jemez Principles & environmental justice (EJ) Principles: ability to listen deeply to, provide support to, and follow the lead of frontline, community based leaders and collaborators.

• Demonstrated solutions-oriented approach and high emotional intelligence.

• Proven track record of strong project coordination and communication skills, including attention to detail, ability to effectively prioritize tasks with little supervision, and work independently to accomplish assignments and projects.

• Comfortable engaging in an emergent, collaborative work-style with multiple partners, staff, and contributors.

• Familiarity with climate and environmental justice principles, practices, and organizations.

• Awareness of research methods and approaches. 

TEMPORARY HIRE TIMELINE 

This is a full-time, fixed-term temporary appointment supported by available grant funding. The appointment is expected to conclude on June 30, 2027.
 

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement.
 

Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee. #LI-DNI

HOURLY RATE
$40.00/hr

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.
 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.