Program Assistant, Freedom to Read

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a proactive and organized program assistant to support our research, analysis, and operations in defense of the freedom to read and learn in schools. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the senior program manager, Freedom to Read.

PEN America’s U.S. Free Expression Programs champion the freedom to read, learn, and think that is under threat in educational institutions in the United States. Through research, advocacy, media engagement, coalition-building, and public events, we aim to ensure free expression and free speech principles are upheld in schools, public libraries, colleges, and universities.

The program assistant will chiefly provide research and data support to the Freedom to Read Program, tracking and analyzing book bans and censorship in K-12 education and public libraries. The assistant will be able to make a critical and creative difference on a team advocating for the future of free expression in education — an urgent issue now facing American democracy. There will be opportunities to gain familiarity with free expression issues broadly in the U.S., contribute to research processes and methods, and support the development of PEN America’s resources and research reports (for past examples, see Banned in the USA: A Spotlight on School Book Bans 2025-2026 (2026); Out of Circulation: Expanding Censorship in Public Libraries (2026), and Facts & Fiction: Stories Stripped Away by Book Bans (2026).

In addition to research, the program assistant will provide administrative support to the team, including coordinating expenses, scheduling meetings, maintaining records, calendars, and project management tools, and assisting in communication across departments, particularly with regard to communicating timely and accurate data.

The successful candidate will possess a strong aptitude for qualitative and quantitative research, experience with data collection, management, and analysis for public impact. They will have experience with administrative tasks, an interest in advancing free expression and the freedom to read, and the ability to work collaboratively in a quickly changing environment. The position requires an energized and highly organized work style, attention to detail, a diplomatic disposition, and the ability to execute prompt, courteous, and effective email communication. Finally, the ideal candidate must have knowledge of and passion for literature, as PEN America’s mission is above all to defend and celebrate writers and their work. 

All positions are subject to a five-month trial period and assessment. In alignment with PEN America’s current policy, all applicants should be available to report to the New York City office at least three days per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support research efforts by identifying, inputting, and tracking instances of book bans in K-12 public schools and public libraries into PEN America’s comprehensive database of book bans, maintaining detailed spreadsheets, and completing data memos
• Validate cases of censorship through review of school board meeting minutes, school board hearings, district, department, and government agency websites, public records requests, and other primary sources
• Help grow and maintain a network of public records request partners nationwide by organizing trainings, developing and updating education resources, and sharing best practices
• Track breaking news and compile key stories for the Freedom to Read team
• Manage, track, and triage submissions to PEN America’s Book Ban Report Tool
• Execute administrative tasks, including calendar management and scheduling of meetings and press availabilities, record keeping, and expense tracking
• Respond to internal data requests for public communication via social media content, newsletter, and other tools, reviewing communications for accuracy
• Support awareness efforts by preparing slide decks, developing one-pagers and brochures, and maintaining up-to-date fact sheets
• Serve as a thought partner on the Freedom to Read team, particularly with relation to research processes and products
• Support internal and external coordination across teams and projects
• Support and advance PEN America’s mission to safeguard free expression in the United States and abroad
• Other duties as assigned

All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training, or other initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of experience with research, data collection, and analysis using qualitative and quantitative methods 
• Understanding of and interest in contemporary debates over free expression and the freedom to read, as well as literature and/or publishing
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational, project management and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and multitask effectively
• Ability to engage professionally with stakeholders across a range of ideological perspectives 
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with database programs and project management tools such as Asana, or ability to learn quickly
• Familiarity with social media, strategic communications, and/or advocacy preferred
• Experience defending free expression and/or freedom to read in educational settings is a plus
• Ability to travel an estimated 10% of the time depending on program needs
• Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies. PEN America promotes open and respectful dialogue across differences, and we work to allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish.
• Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists, and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country's government

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $55k - $65k, commensurate with experience. PEN America's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits, and a 403b retirement plan.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample) via BambooHR. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to having a workforce that reflects the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.