Senior Research Associate, Climate + Energy

About Sightline Institute  

Sightline Institute is committed to making Cascadia—the region stretching from Alaska to northern California and from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountain states—a global model of sustainability, with strong communities, a green economy, and a healthy environment. Founded in 1993, Sightline is one of the region’s premier public policy think tanks, influencing press coverage, legislative change, and public attitudes. 

In our programs on climate and energy, housing and cities, democracy and elections, and farms and forests, we identify and promote reforms that yield outsized improvements for the region’s people and places. We believe true sustainability exists at the intersection of environmental health and social justice and have an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

A nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research center, Sightline provides research reports, articles, and commentary; maps, graphics, and tools; framing and messaging guidance; and Sightline Daily, a curated headlines and opinion summary for the Northwest. Sightline’s influence depends on the depth and breadth of our researchers’ expertise and their persuasiveness in presenting analysis and arguments. We aim to draw attention to and build support for data-backed solutions to specific public problems through close engagement in policy debates. We advise and inform public officials, advocates, and the media, and we collaborate with diverse allies and unconventional coalitions in pursuit of our mission. Learn more at www.sightline.org.  

Position Summary  

Through rigorous research and policy analysis, the Senior Research Associate will support Sightline's efforts to transition the Pacific Northwest off fossil fuels and build a clean, just energy future. They will help advance Sightline’s Climate and Energy program priorities, including to electrify homes and businesses, ramp up renewable energy, and phase out polluting oil and gas infrastructure. They will remain flexible to supporting the team as high-impact opportunities arise and will have the chance to learn from and collaborate with other leading organizations and advocates. With climate backlash surging in the region, this is a timely and unique opportunity for a committed researcher to devote their analytical and communications skills to both defending and advancing Cascadia’s climate progress.   

The Senior Research Associate will report to Sightline's Director of Climate and Energy. They will be part of a high-functioning, collaborative cadre of researchers, communicators, and advocates, supported by a strong administrative and fundraising team. 

Essential Responsibilities  

• Conduct high-quality, accurate, and thorough research to support the Climate and Energy program’s strategy. 
• Search for, analyze, and interpret data related to Sightline’s Climate and Energy program priorities.    
• Write concise, clear, and data-backed fact sheets and issue briefs that synthesize research findings.   
• Support the Director of Climate and Energy in drafting long-form articles and policy memos for external audiences.  
• Help represent Sightline and Sightline’s climate and energy goals to policymakers, peer organizations, and advocates. 
• Identify, monitor, and evaluate relevant climate and energy policy developments in Cascadia as well as leading examples from other parts of the world. 

Desired Skills and Experience  

• At least 3 years of professional experience conducting high-quality research and/or policy or program analysis. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to succinctly, accurately convey complicated information to diverse audiences.   
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively among competing responsibilities. 
• Demonstrated experience quickly mastering new subject matter areas. 
• A track record of building respectful and effective relationships and collaborating with people across differences, including racial, ethnic, gender, cultural, and political differences.  
• The ability to be self-directed and self-motivated. 
• An eagerness to learn and incorporate feedback.   
• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work. Familiarity with or experience working on issues of social and/or environmental justice preferred.  
• Experience working in climate and energy and an understanding of the Northwest’s climate policies and players preferred, but not required. We care more about your skills than your subject-matter expertise.   
• Commitment to Sightline’s mission and values. 

Position Flexibility  

We most likely will hire a candidate who is at the “senior associate” level of skill and experience, as described. However, depending on candidates' experience and skill level, we will consider hiring for this position at Sightline's (lower) associate level or (higher) researcher level. Duties, expectations, and compensation would ramp up or down, commensurately. At Sightline, we believe in mentoring talent and providing opportunities for growth.  Therefore, if you are somewhat underqualified or overqualified for the position as described or have relevant experience and transferrable skills different from those listed here, but still feel you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.  

Compensation and Benefits  

As part of our commitment to equity and in an effort to reduce bias, Sightline has set established salary bands for each position level. The salary range for the senior research associate level is $60,000-$70,000 (plus 10 percent retirement, as noted below). Candidates whose experience better matches the associate or researcher levels would be eligible for salary bands below or above this range, respectively. Sightline is committed to supporting team members along their career pathway by encouraging learning and providing mentoring and training. Employees can earn annual merit raises and periodic promotions. 

We offer a robust package of benefits including a 401(k) plan with employer contribution of 10 percent of salary (added to—not subtracted from—pay so, for example, a $70,000 salary at Sightline is equivalent to a $77,000 salary at an organization that makes no employer contribution to retirement). 

Benefits also include: 

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and partial coverage for dependents 
• Four weeks of paid vacation 
• Ten paid holidays annually 
• Two weeks of paid sick leave 
• Paid parental leave  
• A three-month paid sabbatical every seven years 
• A monthly remote-work stipend 

Since Sightline is a nonprofit organization, employees are also eligible to apply for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Sightline’s staff members work hard but enjoy balanced lives and a collegial organizational culture. 

Location  

Sightline is a virtual-first organization. All staff members work remotely, though Sightline provides opportunities for in-person gatherings and collaboration, including an annual staff retreat. Our staff, contractors, and fellows are located across Cascadia, in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia. The largest concentration of team members is in Seattle. 

This position is fully remote, but the successful applicant will be based in the Cascadia region or willing to relocate. Sightline values team members living within the Cascadian region to successfully, credibly advocate for policy change here and effectively build local relationships. Additionally, there may be opportunities for travel within Cascadia.  

To Apply 

Please include: 

• A resume 
• A cover letter outlining how your skills and experience qualify you for the role's responsibilities. Please include a short description of your experience advancing equity and justice, ideally in your professional work.  
• A brief (2-4 page) writing sample that showcases your ability to write clearly, succinctly, and persuasively. Our preference is for writing samples that include analysis or recommendations related to a public policy issue (environmental or otherwise). Please include a 1-sentence description at the top of the writing sample that explains original context for the sample (e.g., a class, a job, etc.)  

Please assemble all application materials in a single PDF, labeled with your name. Send everything to [email protected]. Please put “Senior Research Associate, Climate and Energy” as the subject line of the email. Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample will not be considered. 

The application deadline is September 3, 2024, and applications received by that date will be given priority, but we will accept applications until the position is filled. Interviews will take place in mid-September. We will likely invite finalists to complete a work assignment designed to test their skills in the specific functions required for the position. We hope to extend an offer by early October. 

Sightline Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.