JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Opportunity for a Research and Policy Associate
with Commitment to Racial and Economic Justice
THE OPPORTUNITY
Working Partnerships USA seeks a Research and Policy Associate to join our team. This team member will support the strategic research, analysis, outreach, coalition-building and program coordination needed to move our campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, and equitable growth. This is a full-time, benefitted position based in Silicon Valley.
THE ORGANIZATION
Working Partnerships USA is a community organization bringing together the power of grassroots organizing and public policy innovation to drive the movement for a just economy. We build the capacity of workers, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color to lead and govern. Based in Silicon Valley, we tackle the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, equitable growth and a democracy that works for all.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Research and Policy Associate will be part of our Research and Policy team, which provides strategic research and analysis to the organization’s comprehensive campaigns and advocacy work. The work of the Research and Policy Associate includes both qualitative and quantitative research to reframe the debate, understand and shape public policy, and help move campaigns forward.
The Research and Policy Associate will participate in Working Partnerships USA campaign team meetings and support the Policy and Research Director and other lead staff including our Director of Economic and Workforce Policy in campaign development, policy development, and implementation.
Campaign research and policy development
Specific roles vary depending on the needs of the campaign, but may include:
Developing a research plan and timeline to support the goals of the campaign
Tracking the current debates about particular issues, such as living wages, affordable housing, health coverage, tech workforce diversity, public pensions, or others as needed
Conducting web and media searches to identify applicable solutions
Gathering best-practice policies and evaluating how they could be applied locally
Interviewing advocates and organizers to understand technically how a solution works and lessons learned
Summarizing key findings through memos and presentations
Providing logistical support for actions, meetings and events, including scheduling, turnout, event staffing, compiling minutes, and other duties as needed
Coalition-building around specific policy issues, including outreach, meeting facilitation, mobilization, and conflict resolution
Supporting our career development programs, including community outreach, classroom assistance, one-on-one follow-up, record-keeping, and related tasks
Representing Working Partnerships at meetings with allies and supporters, coordinating and attending actions, and supporting the work of the campaign and organization as a whole, including attending events on weekends/evenings when needed.
Data collection, analysis, and reports
The Research and Policy Associate helps utilize data analysis and research to reframe the debate about our local and regional economy, and integrate the research component into our comprehensive campaigns. Depending on the campaign or project, the Research and Policy Associate may be involved in:
Monitoring, tracking and summarizing local government agendas and public documents on a weekly basis
Identifying relevant data sources for a particular research project
Extracting and analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the California Employment Development Department, the California Health Interview Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and other sources
Supporting organizers in developing, conducting, and analyzing worker and resident surveys
Writing research briefs and policy papers that illustrate the meaning of the data to a variety of audiences; using data in compelling ways to tell a story
Being a spokesperson to the media on the main findings of the report
Making presentations to staff, board members, coalition partners, allies, and decision-makers on the data and conclusions
Required experience and qualifications
2-3 years of prior work and demonstrated commitment to worker and community organizing, economic justice, and social justice movements
Experience as a researcher and/or policy analyst
Exceptional written and oral communication skills and experience making presentations to multiple audiences
Inquisitive, flexible and adaptable with strong initiative and follow through skills
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
Accountable to both team goals and individual work-plan goals
Experience working in multi-cultural settings
Valid California driver’s license and access to a vehicle
Proficiency in basic qualitative research skills including internet and media searches and interviews
Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel to execute complex formulas and to create illustrative graphs and charts
Tenacity in performing investigative research, including identifying and pursuing interviews with key public agency staff and stakeholders
Willingness to work some evenings and weekends
Some travel is required, primarily within the greater Bay Area
Preferred qualifications
Direct experience working in low-income communities of color
Experience in at least one of the following areas: local government policy, public budgets, land use, affordable housing, transportation, PLAs, living wage, workers’ rights, sectoral analysis, strategic corporate research, or workforce development
Familiarity with data analysis programs such as SAS, GIS, or IMPLAN a plus, but not required
Bilingual in Spanish or Vietnamese a plus, but not required
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary for this position is between $45,000-$50,000, plus a generous benefits package, including full family health insurance and 401(k). This is a full-time, exempt position with opportunity for advancement over time. Working Partnerships USA is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited category.
Email cover letter and resume to:jobs@wpusa.org
Application deadline: September 1, 2015. The position will be open until filled and starts immediately.
Working Partnerships USA is an affirmative action employer, and we strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ, and all qualified persons to apply for this position. We therefore make special efforts to recruit individuals from groups that are historically under-represented in professional environments, or that suffer broader societal discrimination.
How to apply
Email resume and cover letter to: jobs@wpusa.org