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

Position overview

Position title: Researcher / Senior Researcher, Green Economy Program
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/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t24-b.pdf The current full-time base salary range for this position is $73,000 - $188,200. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Summer 2025

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

Application Window
Open date: April 18, 2025

Next review date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 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

UC Berkeley 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.

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

The Researcher / Senior Researcher will collaborate on leading and expanding 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.

Position Responsibilities

• 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

Department: https://irle.berkeley.edu/

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

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Associate Specialist
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 Specialist
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.

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

Preferred qualifications

• 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


• Policy Writing Sample #1 - Writing sample on a topic relevant to the position


• Policy Writing Sample #2 - Writing sample on a topic relevant to the position
  (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04847

Help contact: megansalts@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 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.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

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.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.


• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties


• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA; Eligible for 3 days remote work


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04847