Climate Justice Policy Analyst (California)

The Center for Progressive Reform (CPR) is seeking an energetic, organized, and dedicated researcher to join our staff as a Climate Justice Analyst (California). We welcome candidates with a deep commitment to progressive environmental and economic policies designed to address racial inequities.  

California leads the nation in implementing a wide range of “climate justice” initiatives as part of its multi-faceted climate strategy. We are seeking a policy analyst to investigate how California’s climate justice programs have functioned in practice, considering, in particular, their participatory structures and the efficacy of the state’s governance approach.

The goal of the research project is to improve environmental justice governance in California and to provide essential intelligence to states hoping to achieve similar equity goals and federal policymakers exploring new administrative and legislative possibilities. Based on our project research, we will evaluate and propose a range of policies and resources. We will communicate our findings and proposals to a wide range of stakeholders, including BIPOC-led organizations, academics, advocates, and state and federal policymakers.  The project will be designed to help all of these stakeholders advance effective measures capable of achieving their goals.

CPR is a national nonprofit organization that protects and strengthens policies for environmental health, climate justice and worker justice. Through research and advocacy, our network of more than 60 acclaimed scholars and professional staff seek to influence policymakers on a range of policy and good governance issues.

Our scholars and staff bring deep expertise to the public policy arena, from translating scholarly legal work for policymakers, publishing op-eds in leading news outlets, testifying before Congress, weighing in on regulatory proposals, working with the media, collaborating with like-minded organizations, and helping the public engage with the policy process.

CPR is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Visit our website to read our commitment, which we expect all staff to further. 

Responsibilities

The Climate Justice Policy Analyst will have primary responsibility for the overall coordination of the California Climate Justice research project and will serve as the primary researcher and analyst. The Climate Justice Policy Analyst will work closely with several CPR Member Scholars with expertise in climate justice policy. The Member Scholars will provide guidance and feedback on the California Climate Justice project, and the Analyst will help promote the Scholars’ climate justice research. 

Specifically, the Climate Justice Analyst’s work will include the following:

Research, writing, and analysis

• Drawing on existing research, catalogue relevant California climate justice programs and their decision-making modalities

• Research and assess agency decision-making and community participation for 2-3 critical climate justice programs, including document review and external interviews with stakeholders such as agency officials, local governments, and community members
• Serve as primary staff researcher (with CPR scholars) in the data collection, analysis, and writing of climate justice research project

Communications

• Write clear and concise blog posts, social media content, op-eds, issue briefs, and reports for broad publication to a variety of audiences (in close collaboration with CPR communications staff and CPR Member Scholars)
• Support efforts to communicate findings widely and creatively to policymakers, advocates, academics, media, and the broader public

Collaboration with others

• Collaborate with research partners and key environmental justice and community stakeholders to set specific research priorities and objectives
• Participate in coalitions and network with state and national peers, allies, policymakers, and funders to provide expertise and promote research findings

Organization and team-building

• Provide overall coordination for the project

• Join regular staff meetings, actively participate in CPR’s organizational activities, and contribute to atmosphere of inquiry, collaboration, and activism; seek collaboration opportunities with other CPR staff
• Support CPR Scholars and staff in reporting to funders as well as developing funding proposals for project’s Year 2 funding and related CPR initiatives

• Engage and support CPR Scholars as appropriate in pursuit of climate justice program goals, including research, advocacy, fundraising, and communications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Demonstrated capacity in researching, writing about, and advocating for climate and environmental justice, public policy, racial inequities, and related topics
• Knowledge of the field
• Relationships with key actors and networks, such as policy advocates, BIPOC organizations, and academics
• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain relationships with other researchers and advocates, including community activists
• Demonstrated commitment to the public interest community
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style, with proven experience in relating to institutions and advocates addressing issues of racial inequities
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills with attention to nuance and detail; Spanish-language skills are an asset
• The ability to self-direct, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks
• Excellent project management skills
• The ability to meet deadlines within a virtual office environment
• A mission-driven approach to work
• Creativity and a desire to learn and grow

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in public policy research and/or advocacy
• An advanced degree in a relevant field (i.e., law, public policy, public health, etc.).

This job announcement can also be found at http://progressivereform.org/about-cpr/jobs-cpr/