Resource Economist

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nationally prominent science-based nonprofit working on issues we believe to be the greatest environmental and security threats of our time. UCS combines rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical solutions. We strive for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Our specific focus areas include global warming, renewable energy, advanced vehicle technology, nuclear power safety, nuclear weapons and related security issues, preserving the integrity of science, and sustainable agriculture.

As a core member of a vibrant and creative, interdisciplinary team including ecosystem scientists, molecular biologists, media professionals, lobbyists, and communications specialists, the Resource Economist will bring strong analytic skills and modeling expertise to our Food and Environment Program and to the organization as a whole. The Resource Economist will have significant opportunities to contribute to program strategies on agriculture and the environment and will bridge the gap between UCS and academic and government researchers focused on environmental externalities of agriculture and land use modeling.

The Position:
Under the direction of the Food and Environment Program Director and working with other program staff, the Resource Economist will provide in-house expertise in modeling and economics to support UCS’s advocacy in the area of land use choices and the incorporation of the unintended health and the environmental consequences of ranching and agriculture into policy debates.

Responsibilities:

• Develop program goals, strategies, tactics, particularly on agricultural, land use, and environmental issues.
• Review and critique current policies; propose new policies to address new problems.
• Design, implement, and manage research projects on land use and the externalities of agricultural and ranching policies.
• Manage projects, including consultants, research, analysis, writing, and outside-expert review.
• Write program communications on agricultural, land use, and environmental issues.
• Develop economic and policy competence on agricultural, land use, and environmental issues.
• Represent program on agricultural and climate issues.
• Participate in developing fundraising strategies.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in applied agricultural, resource, or environmental economics or other appropriate discipline
• Demonstrated strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Experience with relevant models and modeling environments, for example, GAM, MatLab, FASOM
• Familiarity with spatial data manipulation and modeling preferred.
• Familiarity with the economics and public policy issues associated with the externalities of agricultural activities and land use 
• Strong analytic and project management skills
• Understanding of how economics and advocacy shape public opinion and policy debates
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills

Experience needed:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural, environmental, or resource economics or other appropriate discipline
• Familiarity with public policy process regarding agriculture and land use 
• Demonstrated ability to produce reports on economics and policy issues and write about complex policy and economics matters for a lay audience

NGO experience is preferred but not essential.

To Apply:
Before August 25, please submit a cover letter with salary requirements and how you learned of the position and resume via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Resource Economist” in the subject line. Email materials in Word documents only. No phone calls.