$78,000 yearly
Union of Concerned Scientists
Washington, DC, USA
Oct 18, 2019
Full time
Senior Transportation Analyst/Engineer
Union of Concerned Scientists
Clean Transportation Program
Washington, DC, Oakland, CA or Cambridge, MA
The Position
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit working to solve some of our planet’s most pressing problems. UCS combines technical analysis and effective organizing and advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for stemming the tide of global warming, advancing sustainable food and agriculture policy, promoting clean energy and transportation, fighting misinformation and reducing the threat of catastrophic nuclear war.
New transportation technology and business models are changing how people get around. Help us analyze what this means for pollution, congestion, equity and access, and what policy solutions can steer us towards better outcomes. Then, put your analysis to work, collaborating with a crack team of advocates, media and outreach experts to bring your analytical findings from the world of models to the real world. This position will challenge you in many ways, requiring skillful analysis, persuasive writing for a variety of audiences, public speaking, and many other skills you have or will acquire.
Responsibilities
Ride-hailing and Automated Vehicle Research and Policy Analysis
carry out research and analysis aimed at understanding the climate, transportation equity, and air quality implications of ride-hailing services and emerging autonomous vehicle technologies.
Develop and evaluate state and federal policies and strategies to ensure positive transportation equity and pollution impacts of ride-hailing and anticipated automated vehicle deployment.
Communications
Inform the public, policymakers, business leaders and the media about the latest policy-relevant findings on advanced transportation technology and new mobility issues in a clear and accessible manner
Write web content, magazine articles, and Op Eds for newspapers
Act as spokesperson for UCS on these topics and prepare responses for media requests; write and review blogs for UCS blog, The Equation.
Advocacy
Help UCS advocate for smart transportation policies with decision-makers at the federal and state level.
Engage in legislative and regulatory efforts to advance UCS’ policy agenda.
Effectively work with UCS colleagues, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to advance campaigns.
Materials
Prepare compelling written materials in a variety of formats ranging from short factsheets to longer reports, testimony, technical comments, and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Expert Engagement
Build and maintain working relationships with other experts in academia, government, NGOs, and industry through conferences and policy-relevant research collaborations.
Qualifications and experience
The position requires strong quantitative and analytical skills with a preference for candidates with expertise in transportation planning, vehicle technology research and analysis, and/or vehicle or transportation policies. General knowledge of transportation, energy, and climate policy is also required.
Work requires a minimum of 5-7 years of successful relevant and comparable experience for candidates with master’s degrees, including background in research and analysis. A prerequisite for this position is proven advocacy and communication skills, experience developing analysis to inform policy, and demonstrated technical analysis skills.
The position also requires knowledge of effective issue campaign development, understanding of the policy process, including advocacy techniques and legislative strategy. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical experts and other professionals as well as with policymakers and the public is strongly preferred. Media experience a plus. A Masters Level Degree in a relevant area (science, engineering, economics, public policy) is preferred. Training or experience in supervision and project management is also desirable. Proficiency in word processing and computer spreadsheets is required and experience with energy and transportation models is strongly desired.
Little or no exertion; may require extended periods at a computer; may require extended periods at a computer. Periodic travel (about 10% of the time) to events, conferences, speaking engagements, and other UCS offices will be required.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time position with a preference for the position to be based in UCS’s Washington DC office, although an Oakland CA or Cambridge, MA placement is also possible. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $78,000. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org
To Apply: Please upload a cover letter, resume, writing sample. https://apply.workable.com/union-of-concerned-scientists/j/0B3FF62561/ Ideally, writing sample should explain a technical policy issue for a non-technical audience. Please include salary requirements in the cover letter. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please.
Deadline : November 24th or until filled