Associate – US Lands Data and Analysis

This position is remote-eligible and only for consideration within the United States where WRI is state registered. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The WRI US Lands team takes a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to guiding the role that lands play in US climate action. As the US works to meet its climate commitments, lands play a key role in sequestering carbon, producing food and fiber, providing green infrastructure and ecosystems services, providing space for communities and infrastructure, providing cultural and recreational value, and more. Despite the many roles that lands must play, land is a finite resource and one that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. As the US changes the way that it builds infrastructure and produces power in response to the need for economy-wide decarbonization, the question of land management and land use tradeoffs becomes vitally important. The US Lands team works at the federal, state, regional, and local levels to produce policy-relevant research and to support on-the-ground implementation of impactful projects.

Job Highlight:

As a US Lands Associate, you will provide research, analysis, programmatic support and stakeholder outreach for WRI’s US Lands team. You will leverage data to assess and advance land use and land management strategies that effectively balance the many roles that lands and ecosystems must play. You will work with an interdisciplinary team to track and use the best available science, data, and tools to develop policy-relevant analysis of topics such as agricultural emissions mitigation, land-use tradeoffs associated with biomass use, and opportunities to increase carbon sequestration in the lands sector. You will be directly supported by team members from the US Lands team and Food team. Team members specialize in state and federal lands policy, environmental justice, food systems, geospatial analysis, corporate climate action, and more. You will report to the US Lands Lead Associate.

What will you do:

Research and Analysis (60%):

• Contribute to the identification of research questions related to land use, agriculture, forestry, and equity, the design of analytical approaches and the development of policy and practice recommendations based on findings
• Manage and analyze large and complex datasets to generate policy-relevant findings
• Develop and manage data inputs for a variety of complex modeling projects
• Monitor and synthesize relevant policy, scientific, and technological developments and identify implications for the team’s work
• Author and co-author knowledge products based on the team’s original research

Project Management (30%):

• Manage relationships and communications with external partners and project contractors to ensure smooth project functioning
• Actively track and coordinate relevant initiatives across WRI teams to ensure institutional consistency
• Help to coordinate writing, revision, peer review, and publication of knowledge products, including articles, working papers and reports
• Support other project management duties, including developing workplans, organizing meetings with partners, and coordinating tasks across relevant WRI workstreams

Communications and Outreach (10%):

• Engage with partner institutions including academia, NGOs, government, and private sector on knowledge sharing and joint research products
• Prepare presentations and briefings for internal and external audiences
• Support external engagements and opportunities at the regional, state, and national level
• Help coordinate project implementation and provide inputs into funder reports and track funder deliverables

What will you need:

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in environmental or climate science, or a related field required
• Experience: You have a minimum 5 years of full-time work experience in environmental or climate science or a related field with rigorous quantitative and/or scientific components and a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of interdisciplinary and multicultural teams. You have high proficiency in using Microsoft Excel to manage data and conduct spreadsheet-based modeling and analysis. You have experience conducting research on nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, agriculture, forestry, biomass and/or greenhouse gas accounting, preferably in the United States. You have a proven ability to synthesizing data analysis and research into policy-relevant written products
• Languages: You have written and verbal proficiency in English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential salary:

The salary range for this position is 84,000 to 95,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter by March 17th, 2023. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the United States.
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission-driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI.
• Long-term commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours.
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.