Senior Scientist or Senior Analyst - Climate Law Institute

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Senior Scientist or Senior Analyst in our Climate Law Institute to advance our work to phase out fossil fuels and speed the just transition to clean, renewable energy.  The Senior Scientist or Senior Analyst will focus on policy and economic analysis to advance our campaigns. This position can either be remote or located at one of our offices in Oakland, California, Washington, D.C., or Albuquerque, New Mexico.

General position overview:

The Climate Law Institute wages innovative legal and grassroots campaigns to protect people, wildlife and ecosystems from climate change and the fossil fuel industry. We work at every level, on international, federal, state and local campaigns, to phase out fossil fuels, eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, and speed a just transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, and transportation. We are seeking to add a Senior Scientist or Senior Analyst to our dynamic team of scientists, lawyers, organizers, and communications staff. The new Senior Scientist or Senior Analyst will work to advance our campaigns through strategic quantitative and qualitative policy analyses, economic analyses, public and decision-maker engagement, and grassroots and media outreach. One major area of focus will be work to reduce oil and gas pollution and ensure the proper decommissioning and remediation of oil and gas infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Main duties:

• Work within our team and with outside colleagues to design, analyze, and advocate for strong state and federal policy outcomes, rooted in science and justice, to reduce oil and gas pollution, ensure the proper decommissioning and remediation of oil and gas infrastructure and speed the transition to clean, renewable energy and transportation.
• Analyze pending state and federal agency policies and legislative proposals through quantitative and qualitative analyses.
• Research and write comment letters, reports, policy documents, scientific publications, and factsheets for decision-makers and the public to advance policy positions.
• Prepare communications such as press releases and op-eds and respond to inquiries and interview requests from journalists.
• Give presentations at public hearings for decision-makers.
• Effectively collaborate with colleagues from academia, allied organizations, and frontline communities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:

• Advanced degree (Doctoral or Master’s) in a relevant scientific or analytic field and professional experience in scientific and policy analysis.
• With a Doctoral degree: minimum 4 years of professional experience in scientific and policy analysis.
• With a Master’s degree: minimum 8 years of professional experience in scientific and policy analysis.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including modeling, quantitative policy analysis, and/or economics analysis.
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct strategic quantitative policy analysis.
• Fluency in the scientific literature on climate change and related topics, and ability to build expertise in multiple subject areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues and organizations with a wide array of goals, perspectives, and backgrounds.
• Committed to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines.

Preferred qualifications, skills, and qualities: 

• Strong economic modeling skills and experience highly preferred.
• Experience with media outreach and interviews.
• Existing relationships and experience working with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. We especially encourage candidates who hold first-hand experience or meaningful, trusted relationships with communities impacted by fossil fuel production and environmental racism.
• Familiarity with environmental statutes such as the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Clean Air Act.
• Ability to work 30+ hours per week.

WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Exchange accurate information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Communicate and express oneself with others: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with other colleagues: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Working on a computer: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Typing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Writing by hand: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Sitting: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Standing: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Climbing up or down stairs: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Bending: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Squatting: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Reaching overhead: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Ability to drive: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Travel required:  [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Night or weekend work: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Work in outdoor conditions: [ X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, writing sample and 3-5 references. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please