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Policy Researcher/ Lead Policy Researcher, Green Economy Program (Associate/Full Specialist) - UC Berkeley Labor Center

Position overview Position title: Policy Researcher
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t24-b.pdf.
A reasonable estimate for this position is $70,500 - $132,700.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Summer 2024

Position duration: Two (2) years with the possibility of renewal based on funding and performance

Application Window
Open date: April 8, 2024

Most recent review date: Monday, Apr 22, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Labor Center Overview
Founded in 1964, the UC Berkeley Labor Center works on the most pressing economic challenges affecting working families in California and communities across the country. The Labor Center Green Economy Program conducts research and analysis on issues of job creation, quality, access, and training in the emergent green economy. In addition, we provide technical assistance to state agencies, labor, and other stakeholders who are engaged in developing and implementing policy related to energy and climate change in California and nationally. A core objective of our work is to ensure that the transition to clean energy empowers workers and improves labor market equity, rather than degrading it. We believe this is an essential strategy for an efficient and effective response to climate change.

Position Description
The UC Berkeley Labor Center, at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), UC Berkeley, has an opening for a Policy Researcher and a Lead Policy Researcher in its Green Economy Program. Both the Policy Researcher and Lead Policy Researcher positions may be hired at the Associate or Full Specialist rank, depending on years of work experience and educational background.

Policy Researcher
The policy researcher will contribute to the Program's research on workforce standards and strategies related to the energy transition, and worker-led approaches to economic development and industrial policy aimed at building the green economy. The position will involve significant collaboration with unions, environmental organizations, and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders at the state and federal level to advance a worker-led clean energy agenda.

Responsibilities Include

• Conduct policy research and analysis, and collaborate on developing new policy models, in the area of workforce standards, economic development, and industrial policy related to the energy transition
• Serve as co-author and/or lead author on policy research reports and briefing memos, and draft op-eds and public testimony
• Contribute to team's work providing technical assistance to stakeholders, policymakers, and media on policy debates surrounding labor and the energy transition
• Support Program Leads with outreach to partner organizations, build and strengthen relationships, and facilitate collaboration
• Work closely with the Program's team in identifying new research projects and opportunities for collaborating with field partners
• Support Program Leads with developing curriculum and delivering trainings for unions, worker advocates, and other stakeholders
• Supervise and mentor student workers

Lead Policy Researcher

The lead policy researcher will lead and expand the Program's California-focused policy research on workforce standards and strategies related to the energy transition, and worker-led approaches to economic development and industrial policy aimed at building the green economy. The position will also involve significant collaboration with unions, environmental organizations, community-based organizations, and government officials/staff and other stakeholders at the local, state and federal level to advance a worker-led clean energy agenda.

Responsibilities Include

• Conduct policy research and analysis, and collaborate on developing new policy models, in the area of workforce standards, economic development, and industrial policy related to the energy transition
• Serve as lead author on policy research reports and briefing memos, and draft op-eds and public testimony
• Provide technical assistance to stakeholders, policymakers, and media on policy debates surrounding labor and the energy transition
• Conduct outreach to partner organizations, build and strengthen relationships, and facilitate collaboration
• Work closely with the Program's team in identifying new research projects and opportunities for collaborating with field partners
• Contribute to the Program's trainings for unions, worker advocates, and other stakeholders
• Supervise and mentor student workers
• Contribute to funding proposals

The Labor Center is unable to offer visa sponsorship for these positions.

Unit: https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Policy Researcher & Lead Policy Researcher

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Policy Researcher & Lead Policy Researcher
Associate

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and at least five (5) years of professional experience. OR
• Master's degree or equivalent international degree and at least three (3) years of professional experience.

Full

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and at least ten (10) years of professional experience. OR
• Master's degree or equivalent international degree and at least eight (8) years of professional experience. OR
• PhD or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience

Preferred qualifications
Policy Researcher

• Master's or equivalent international degree with three (3) years experience in analyzing public policies at the federal, state, or local level (can include experience before the degree)
• Experience contributing to research on public policy, including tracking legislation and regulations, analyzing and comparing key concepts, and assessing promising policy models
• Familiarity with labor standards and/or climate and energy policies and/or industrial policy and/or economic development, with an understanding of core issues for workers and unions
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with unions and other stakeholders, such as environmental organizations and industry/employer associations
• Demonstrated facilitation and collaboration skills
• Strong policy writing skills
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects independently, meeting project timelines, managing stakeholder relationships, and working discreetly with confidential information

Lead Policy Researcher

• Master's or equivalent international degree, with five (5) years experience in analyzing public policies at the federal, state, or local level (can include experience before the degree)
• Demonstrated track record of conducting high-quality research on public policy models in the US or abroad, including tracking legislation and regulations, analyzing and comparing key concepts, and identifying and developing promising policy models
• A strong grounding in labor standards and climate/energy policies and/or a strong grounding in current and emerging models of industrial policy and/or economic development, with an understanding of core issues for workers and unions
• Demonstrated ability to work with and bring together unions and other stakeholders, such as environmental organizations and industry/employer associations, and experience engaging these stakeholders
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills
• Excellent policy writing skills
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects independently, meeting project timelines, managing stakeholder relationships, and working discreetly with confidential information

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Please state in your cover letter if you would like to be considered for the Policy Researcher position, the Lead Policy Researcher position, or both.
• Policy Writing Sample #1
• Policy Writing Sample #2
• Applicant Information Form - Please download and complete the following Applicant Information Form.
  
  Open the Google Doc (linked above)
  Select File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx)
  Open the Word Doc, and complete the requested information
  Save the document as a PDF (rename the document with your name in the subject line)
  Upload the PDF document to your AP Recruit Application

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04366

Help contact: myearian@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location
Berkeley, CA - Eligible for 3 days Remote


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04366