California Budget & Policy Center

Research Associate

California Budget & Policy Center

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Sacramento • California • United States

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Salary

💰 $31 - $41 per hour

About the role

  • Collect, clean, and analyze state and local data to support policy and budget analyses.
  • Prepare charts, tables, and graphics for use in reports, issue briefs, presentations, and other publications.
  • Assist in the preparation and drafting of written materials, including reports, fact sheets, and memos.
  • Track state and federal legislation, budget actions, and policy developments relevant to the Budget Center’s work, particularly related to early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policies.
  • Support analysts in reviewing data and materials for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.
  • Participate in public education and outreach activities, including presentations, webinars, and convenings, as appropriate.
  • Support responses to requests for information from advocates, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders.
  • Help translate technical or data-heavy content into materials suitable for non-expert audiences.
  • Participate in internal equity-focused efforts and professional development activities.
  • Engage in and contribute to the Budget Center’s race and gender equity efforts by applying an equity lens to research, analysis, and data interpretation, and participating in internal initiatives focused on equity and inclusion.
  • Assist with the development of the Budget Center’s annual policy conference (Policy Insights).

Requirements

  • Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial equity, preferably with experience embodying these values in equity-centered research, data analysis, or policy-related work.
  • Dedicated to the goals and mission of the Budget Center, with a strong interest in conducting research and supporting policy solutions that improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
  • Ability to effectively communicate (both written and verbal communication) complex information and concepts in a clear and concise manner to diverse audiences.
  • Strong attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks and track progress while meeting deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with analysts and cross-functional team members.
  • Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and build skills in policy analysis, research methods, and public communication.
  • Experience or demonstrated interest in public policy research, analysis, or a closely related field.
  • Experience in working on early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policy issues is a plus.
  • Strong analytical skills, including comfort working with numbers and spreadsheets.
  • Experience working with administrative datasets and Stata statistical software is a plus.
  • Experience working with population-based survey datasets and US Census datasets is a plus.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products and the Google Suite. Familiarity with data visualization platforms (such as Data Wrapper) preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma with four years of relevant experience is required. A degree in political science, economics, urban planning, or a related degree is preferred.
Benefits
  • Excellent health insurance and dental and vision coverage (100% coverage of premiums for the employee; 90% coverage of premiums for dependents);
  • Retirement benefits include a 403b plan and an annual SEP-IRA retirement contribution of at least 5% of salary (most recently set at 10% of salary); participation in the 403b plan is not required to receive an employer retirement contribution;
  • Annual paid leave benefits include:
  • 12 vacation days,
  • 12 sick days,
  • 10 holidays,
  • 4 personal days,
  • Yearly evaluation of additional time off benefits during summer (half-day Fridays) and winter (late December office closure);
  • Flexible work arrangements that support alternative schedules and both in-person and remote work;
  • 16 weeks of family leave for parents or caregivers;
  • FSAs for health, childcare, and transportation costs;
  • Annual stipends to cover home office, transportation, and well-being expenses; and,
  • Annual allocations for professional development.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
data analysispolicy analysisresearch methodsanalytical skillsexperience with Stataexperience with administrative datasetsexperience with population-based survey datasetsexperience with US Census datasetsdata visualizationattention to detail
Soft Skills
effective communicationcollaborationindependencewillingness to learnability to manage multiple taskscommitment to equitystrong interest in policy solutionsclarity in communicationfeedback receptivenessengagement in equity-focused efforts