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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 ProgramApplication Window
Open date: April 18, 2025
Most recent review date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
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.
Position Description
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/
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree
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.
● 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
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)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Help contact: megansalts@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service. These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
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.
For more information, 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.
- “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
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment