The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Michael McConnell Peace with Justice Fellow
JOB CATEGORY: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
STATUS: Part-Time, 21 hours per week
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Specific Term, 1 year
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Chicago Peacebuilding Program Director
REGION/UNIT: US/MIDWEST
LOCATION: Chicago, IL, USA In office 2 – 3 days per week.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 31, 2026.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION
AFSC Chicago Peacebuilding is hiring a Michael McConnell Peace and Justice Youth Fellow to support local programs. The fellow's main responsibilities will be to support and develop youth participation in AFSC programming, and to work in city-wide campaigns to divest from policing and incarceration and win investments in community-based resources to promote real safety. The fellow will work closely with the AFSC Chicago Peacebuilding Program Director on our issues, including the abolition of police and prisons. Other responsibilities may include research, communications support, and the creation of political education materials on defunding policing and militarism – as needed. This is an entry-level fellowship position, and training will be provided to ensure that the Fellow has the support needed to flourish in this position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Program Support
- Provide support with ongoing program work
- Attend weekly coalition meetings, acting as timekeeper and notetaker, representing AFSC Chicago Peacebuilding, as needed.
- Create educational resources for youth by developing anti-militaristic youth curriculum for high school students.
- Collaborate as needed with other AFSC programs by attending the bi-weekly CSBP meeting and taking notes.
- Develop and publish the Chicago Peacebuilding Newsletter using Every action.
- Support the Chicago Peacebuilding team with monthly fundraising t-shirt sales and t-shirt shipment.
Organizational and Administrative Support
- Provide administrative support for local and national AFSC projects, as needed.
- Assist in executing the strategy and content developed for Chicago Peacebuilding social media sites.
- Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
- Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
- Other duties and projects as a
SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
NA
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s in related field preferred.
- Minimum one year of experience in community organizing, social justice campaigns, or youth leadership programs required. Additional experience in strategizing for abolitionist campaigns preferred.
- Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as
- Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
- Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
- Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
- Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
- Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
- Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION
The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Non-Exempt Salary Family: Fellow Job Code Fellow Minimum Hourly Rate $29.67. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.
The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.
AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. In addition position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.
