Position Overview #
The Civil Society Technology Foundation (CSTF) seeks an innovative Education Lead to develop, curate, and expand our educational resources and outreach programs. This role is central to our mission of empowering individuals and communities to reclaim digital self-determination through accessible, practical education.
As a volunteer-led US 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, CSTF believes that access to knowledge and information is essential for empowering communities and fostering technological independence. Our Education Lead will create pathways for learners to understand, create, modify, and maintain the technologies they rely on.
About CSTF #
The Civil Society Technology Foundation operates on the principle that digital technology is, in its essence, a common good. We collaborate to remove barriers to creating, sharing, and using software through:
- Open software development - Building tools like our flagship Wild Cloud project
- Educational resources - Creating accessible learning materials for digital autonomy
- Community engagement - Fostering networks of technologists and civil society advocates
Our educational philosophy centers on “practical autonomy” - the capacity of users to understand, create, modify, and maintain the technologies they rely on, rather than remaining dependent on others.
Primary Responsibilities #
Educational Content Development #
- Develop and maintain educational materials in our learning library focused on civics, digital self-determination, and open-source technologies.
- Create learning paths for different skill levels from beginner to advanced
- Ensure content reflects CSTF principles of self-determination and open-source values
Curriculum Design & Learning Strategy #
- Design comprehensive learning curricula that build practical skills for digital autonomy
- Create assessment frameworks and hands-on exercises that reinforce learning objectives
- Develop mentorship programs connecting learners with experienced community members
- Structure learning materials to support both self-directed and group learning environments
Educational Platform Management #
- Manage educational content for civilsociety.dev
- Ensure content accessibility across different learning styles and technical backgrounds
- Implement feedback systems to continuously improve educational effectiveness
- Coordinate with web development team on educational platform features and improvements
Outreach & Program Development #
- Develop outreach strategies to reach individuals and communities seeking digital literacy
- Create workshop curricula for virtual and in-person educational events
- Build partnerships with educational institutions, libraries, and community organizations
- Develop train-the-trainer programs to expand educational reach through community educators
Required Qualifications #
- Educational Experience: 3+ years of experience in educational content development, instructional design, or technical training
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of open-source technologies, self-hosted infrastructure, and digital literacy concepts
- Communication Skills: Excellent ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences with varying technical backgrounds
- Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to digital self-determination, open-source principles, and democratizing access to technical knowledge
- Learning Design: Experience with curriculum development, learning assessment, and educational best practices
Preferred Qualifications #
- Technical Background: Hands-on experience with Linux, Git, server administration, software development, or related technical skills
- Adult Education: Experience with adult learning principles and non-traditional educational environments
- Open Source Community: Active participation in open-source communities and understanding of collaborative development
- Multilingual: Ability to develop or coordinate multilingual educational content
- Digital Rights Knowledge: Understanding of digital civil liberties, privacy, and technological sovereignty issues
Key Success Metrics #
- Growth in usage and engagement with educational content across both websites
- Positive learner feedback and demonstrated skill acquisition through assessments
- Increased community participation in educational programs and workshops
- Development of sustainable learning pathways from beginner to contributor level
- Creation of train-the-trainer programs that expand educational reach
- Integration of educational content with Wild Cloud development and community needs
Educational Content Areas #
Core Technical Skills #
- Linux Administration: Command-line proficiency, system administration, server management
- Version Control: Git workflows, collaborative development, open-source contribution practices
- Networking & Internet: Protocol understanding, self-hosting fundamentals, federated systems
- Software Development: Programming principles, debugging, testing, and documentation practices
Digital Autonomy Concepts #
- Self-Hosting: Setting up and maintaining personal servers and services
- Privacy & Security: Digital privacy practices, encryption, and security fundamentals
- Open Source Philosophy: Understanding licenses, community governance, and contribution models
- AI & Language Models: Critical AI literacy, understanding model capabilities and limitations
Community & Governance #
- Collaborative Tools: Using and administering community platforms, forums, and communication tools
- Digital Citizenship: Understanding rights and responsibilities in digital communities
- Transparent Governance: Participating in and facilitating community decision-making processes
Organizational Culture & Values #
This role requires deep alignment with CSTF’s core principles:
- Critical Adoption over Blind Use: Helping learners understand technology trade-offs and make informed choices
- Self-determination by Design: Ensuring educational content empowers user autonomy and control
- Open Source Always: All educational materials must be freely shareable and modifiable
- Tools Over Policy: Focusing on practical skills rather than advocacy or policy positions
- Democratized AI: Making AI concepts accessible and emphasizing community benefit over corporate control
Compensation & Structure #
This is a volunteer leadership position with the Civil Society Technology Foundation. As we grow and secure funding, this role may transition to a paid position based on organizational capacity and educational program success.
How to Apply #
CSTF is committed to making technical knowledge accessible to all who seek digital self-determination. We welcome applications from educators, technologists, and advocates who share our vision of democratized technical education.
To express interest in this position:
- Join our community at forum.civilsociety.dev
- Review our existing learning materials and principles to ensure alignment
- Introduce yourself as a reply to this forum post (or message the post’s author) and share your vision for technical education and digital literacy in civil society contexts
We operate with transparent, distributed governance and welcome collaborative input on educational strategy and content development.
Contact #
For questions about this position or CSTF’s educational initiatives, reply to this forum post.
Join us in building educational pathways that empower individuals and communities to achieve genuine digital self-determination through practical knowledge and hands-on skills.