Climate Jobs Associate – Climate Jobs Institute (Cornell University)

About the Opportunity

The successful candidates will use research, policy, training and education skills to guide New York’s and the nation’s transition to a strong, equitable and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality union jobs, confronts race and gender inequality, and builds a diverse and inclusive clean energy workforce centering frontline communities.

Through deep relationships with labor unions and labor allies, Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) studies the labor and employment impacts of the clean energy transition; designs pro-worker, pro-union climate policy; and delivers innovative training and educational programming to unions, policymakers, the environmental movement, industry leaders and others.

Extension Associate is an academic, full-time, non-tenure track, term position with an initial appointment through June 30, 2027. The position may be re-appointed based on recommendations by the appropriate Director and Senior Associate Dean for Outreach and Sponsored Research, as well as available funding and work.

More information about the ILR School can be obtained at our web site, http://www.ilr.cornell.edu and the Climate Jobs Institute at https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/climate-jobs-institute.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusting relationships with labor unions, especially building trades and energy unions, environmental organizations, elected leaders, and other allies.
• Lead policy and technical research and analysis to design job-centered, pro-union, and equitable climate policy.
• Plan, organize, and implement educational convenings, trips, trainings, and workshops based on CJI’s research, policy, and expertise on the needs of partner organizations.
• Become subject matter experts in the labor and employment impacts of a range of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, building upgrades, low-carbon transportation and more.
• Join a team of talented, hardworking, and mission-driven individuals who value CJI’s partnerships with unions and labor allies, high-impact work, and building a positive, supportive, joyful, and equitable team culture.

Candidate Profile

• Master’s or other advanced degree in related subject matter expertise (industrial and labor relations, social science, labor economics, employment or labor law, workforce development) with relevant expertise related to labor unions, inequality and equity issues, and climate change.
• Candidate should have at least 2 to 4 years of experience working with the labor movement or on climate change with an emphasis on worker, labor or social justice issues.
• Experience and desire to work in a fast-paced, action-oriented research setting.
• Strong skills in written communication, report writing, quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial analysis, and policy research and analysis.
• Comfort and flexibility with working on several research projects simultaneously and supervising research assistants.
• Strong commitment to racial, economic, social, gender and climate justice.
• Ability to work independently and collectively within a team, strong interpersonal communications skills, and a commitment to cultivating a positive, supportive, hardworking and equitable team culture.

Compensation and Benefits:

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions and superior retirement contributions. Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information, click here.

Salary Range estimated for the Climate Jobs Associate: $75,000 to $89,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location.