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Assoc./Full Specialist - Labor Researcher - Institute for Research on Labor and Employment

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Position description

The Center for Labor Research at UC Berkeley is seeking a candidate for a research position focusing on labor issues in the construction industry. This is an academic position in UC Berkeley’s “Specialist” job title series.

The Center for Labor Research and Education (Labor Center) is a public service and outreach program of the UC Berkeley’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Founded in 1964, the Labor Center conducts research and education on issues related to labor and employment. The Labor Center’s curricula and leadership trainings serve to educate a diverse new generation of labor leaders. The Labor Center carries out research on topics such as job quality and workforce development issues, and we work with unions, government, and employers to develop innovative policy perspectives and programs. We also provide an important source of research and information on unions and the changing workforce for students, scholars, policymakers and the public.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Plan, oversee, and carry out research projects useful to construction industry stakeholders, including contractors, unions, community groups and policy makers. This may include studies of the economic impacts of prevailing wages, project labor agreements, and other contractor and labor standards; the impact of apprenticeship programs on construction workers and firms; research on the underground economy; and other policy-relevant topics in construction labor.

• Write reports and peer-reviewed articles based on quantitative analysis of government datasets and industry trade data, and on qualitative analysis of the construction industry.

• Organize collaborative and/or coordinated research with other labor economists on construction labor in the U.S.

• Monitor proposed regulations and legislation affecting the construction labor market, and develop research projects that are responsive to current policy proposals.

• Represent CLRE to the public and the media, making verbal and written presentations to stakeholder and community organizations, management, unions and policy makers on construction labor issues in California and nationally.

• Write or assist in writing grant proposals and apply for contract research opportunities.

Minimum Qualification required at time of application:
Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, economics, sociology, or a related field

Additional Required Qualifications:
• Two years of post-graduate work experience conducting policy research
• Demonstrated quantitative skills and experience in data analysis, such as analyzing government household and employer datasets
• Experience conducting qualitative research, such as industry analysis and interviews/focus groups
• Demonstrated writing skills for a public policy audience
• Experience making presentations and working with the media
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work well with university faculty, staff and students as well as labor and business leaders and other industry stakeholders
• Ability to take initiative and mange projects with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications:
• PhD or equivalent in public policy, economics, sociology, or related field
• Background in industrial relations and/or labor market analysis
• Experience working on issues of social justice and workers’ rights
• Experience working collaboratively with a diverse set of stakeholders including policymakers, industry practitioners and others
• Knowledge of the construction labor market, including apprenticeship and labor standards

Position will be full time (100%) for two years, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience, benefits are included.

To apply:
Upload your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter, one writing sample, and contact information for three references to https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/apply/JPF00709. Letters of reference are not required at this time. We will seek your permission before contacting your references. 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: http://apo.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html. The position will be open until filled, with an anticipated start date of summer 2015. To ensure full consideration, please apply by the first review date of July 7, 2015.

Please address any inquiries to Barbara Campbell at barbcampbell@berkeley.edu. UC Berkeley has an excellent benefits package as well as a number of policies and programs in place to support employees as they balance work and family.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Writing Sample - 1 Writing Sample

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)