RFF seeks a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate with a Master’s Degree and 2-6 years of experience who has a strong working knowledge of economics for policy analysis, strong skills in data analysis, including geospatial data methods, and experience working on environmental issues, including especially climate risks and resilience and environmental justice. Successful candidates will also possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work independently, with limited supervision, as well as in teams. The candidate will work with researchers in RFF’s Climate Risks and Impacts Program, Adaptation, and Resilience Program, and Environmental Justice Initiative, supporting research projects and policy outreach and engagement across a range of issues.
Research Associates and Senior Research Associates are essential members of the Resources for the Future (RFF) Research and Policy Engagement staff. They play significant roles in helping to conceptualize projects, provide quantitative analysis, produce written outputs, participate in briefings, and contribute to project management. They participate in the production of impartial and impactful research that improves environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions.
Specific Responsibilities
- Research: identify, review, and synthesize academic and policy literature. Build and maintain datasets. Conduct various data analyses, including summarizing and mapping data over various temporal and spatial scales, and running regressions. Track policy developments at the state and local levels as related to various ongoing and prospective research projects, especially on topics related to extreme weather events, floods, wildfires, and sea level rise, as well as environmental justice. Other tasks assigned by program directors and project leaders
- Project management: create, assign, track, and effectively communicate tasks, deliverables, and deadlines with project teams to achieve project outcomes. Participate in program planning and the development of research agendas
- Participate in engagement with decision-makers and stakeholders
- And other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Experience & Competencies
- Education: Master’s Degree in a relevant field, including economics, public policy, environmental science, and engineering.
- Work Experience: 2-6 years in government, private sector research or consulting company, or environment, energy, and climate change-related nonprofit organizations, including community-based organizations.
- Experience in research on climate change and climate adaptation and resilience policy issues, especially risks and impacts from climate change, including impacts from weather extremes, sea level rise, flooding, and wildfires; adaptation and resilience policies and programs; and environmental and climate justice.
Desirable Skills
- Strong working knowledge of economics for policy analysis
- Strong skills in econometrics
- Expertise with statistical packages such as R and Stata
- Expertise with spatial data analysis using R and ArcGIS software
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently, under limited supervision, and in a team environment
Compensation and Benefits
- $60-$78,000 a year or potentially higher depending on experience
- 35-hour work week
- Flexible summer hours (4-day work week June-Sept)
- Flexible work arrangement policy (hybrid work)
- 11 paid holidays
- 4 weeks PTO to start, increases to 5 weeks after 5 years, in addition to 13 paid sick days per year
- Gym on site
- Deli on site
- Parking on site
- RFF contributes up to 15% of your salary to a 403(b)-retirement account, depending on employee age in addition to a 401(a)
- Commuter benefit plans (pre-tax metro and parking)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here 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 essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, some standing, walking, sitting, bending, and carrying light items such as books and papers is required.
Working Conditions
The work may involve everyday light risks and discomforts, which may require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This position description may not describe all duties, responsibilities, and skills associated with this position. It is intended to portray the major aspects of the job and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Other duties or skills may be required.
Job Details
Level: Experienced
Job Location: RFF - WASHINGTON, DC
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: Graduate Degree
Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $78,000.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Negligible
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Research
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
RFF (Resources for the Future) is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in hiring and employment, nor in the administration and other programs. RFF’s Vision for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Future.
RFF has made the safety of our staff and community a top priority. As a part of that commitment, all staff and visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. RFF will require all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to work in our office.
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