Make an impact: Apply to be a Climate Resilience Data Analyst / Senior Data Analyst with the Smart Surfaces Coalition
The Smart Surfaces Coalition (SSC) is a rapidly growing non-profit start-up, expanding both in the U.S. and internationally. Made up of 40+ leading NGOs spanning architecture and design, city law and policy, energy, planning, data analytics, public health, and environmental justice, SSC leads the effort to accelerate the adoption of Smart Surfaces—integrated deployment of reflective, porous, and green surfaces, solar PV, and urban trees—in cities worldwide. This strategy is quickly emerging as one of the most important resilience and urban sustainability approaches globally, and is also one of the largest, least deployed, and most cost-effective ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change while addressing urban environmental justice challenges. Strong candidates will thrive in SSC’s dynamic, fast-paced environment.
We are seeking a passionate, detail-oriented individual with 2–4 years of relevant experience to join our team as a Climate Resilience Data Analyst / Senior Data Analyst. This is a full-time hybrid position, with preference for candidates located in or willing to relocate to New York City; Washington, DC is a secondary option.
Start Date: As soon as October 6, 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
Job Description
The Climate Resilience Data Analyst / Senior Data Analyst is a core member of SSC’s Data Team, working under the direct supervision of the Data Project Manager. This role is responsible for maintaining, developing, and refining SSC’s Excel-based Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) model, which underpins SSC’s Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool (BCAT), project implementation platform, and organization-wide impact quantification.
The analyst will process, analyze, and visualize data across a wide range of economic and environmental domains, including urban heat exposure, stormwater management, health and air quality, urban forestry, building energy efficiency, renewable energy, construction materials, and carbon sequestration.
Success in this role requires both technical rigor and strong soft skills: the ability to translate complex analysis into clear insights for technical and non-technical audiences, manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines, thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment, and act as a self-starter who takes initiative, works independently with creativity and sound judgment, and collaborates closely with senior leadership.
Job Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Data Project Manager, the Data Analyst will:
Maintain and refine SSC’s Excel-based Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) model to support city partnerships and scaling to new geographies, both domestically and internationally, including analyses across geographies, time periods, and custom scenarios.
Extract, process, and analyze data from third-party platforms, building systems and frameworks to ensure smooth data integration.
Develop clear, well-documented analyses and visualizations for team members, partners, and stakeholders.
Collaborate with senior staff on reports, memos, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Support development of SSC’s digital tools (Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool, Decision Support Tool) by working closely with the Data Project Manager to define data requirements, coordinate with external data partners, and ensure smooth integration of model inputs/outputs.
Contribute to UI/UX discussions to ensure tools are intuitive, transparent, and technically sound.
Research and design new quantification pathways for climate, health, energy, water, and economic impacts in both U.S. and international contexts.
Incorporate ongoing research on Smart Surfaces costs, performance, and availability into the BCA model.
Benchmark SSC’s modeling against peer-reviewed literature and industry standards to ensure methodological rigor.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in economics, environmental/climate science, engineering, geography, public health, data science, or related field.
2+ years of relevant paid work experience (or Master’s degree + 1 year) developing and managing complex databases, conducting quantitative research, statistical/computational analysis, and data visualization.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, arrays, and macros; ability to build, refine, and troubleshoot large-scale models.
Experience analyzing, cleaning, and visualizing data in Python or R.
Subject matter expertise in one or more relevant areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, climate modeling, hydrology, heat mapping, or epidemiological modeling.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and work effectively under the direct supervision of the Data Project Manager and with senior leadership.
Strong time management skills and ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment.
Demonstrated ownership and accountability for deliverables in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
Demonstrated creativity, independent judgment, and problem-solving ability in research and analysis.
Demonstrated ability to scope ambiguous projects, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.
Strong attention to detail, particularly with economic concepts such as unit conversions, discount rates, and nominal vs. real dollars.
Experience reviewing, synthesizing, and applying findings from peer-reviewed literature.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience using GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, StoryMaps) for spatial analysis of urban land cover and surface characteristics.
Experience designing and managing structured databases (including SQL) to support large analytical models.
Familiarity with environmental tools and models such as i-Tree, PVWatts, RSMeans, SWMM, BenMAP, and EIA dashboards.
Benefits
Salary: $75,000–85,000, depending on experience
Medical and dental coverage
Retirement benefits including SIMPLE IRA with employee match
3 weeks PTO, plus all federal holidays
Direct mentorship and professional development from senior leaders with deep expertise in climate, public health, economics, and urban planning
Exposure to a proven, results-driven coalition of 40+ partner organizations across sectors (architecture, policy, public health, urban data, environmental justice)
Hands-on experience shaping tools and analysis that influence real-world city policy and infrastructure investments
A collaborative, supportive team culture with a commitment to learning and growth
Application Requirements
A cover letter is required for consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.
Please email the following materials to Shallon Hartke (hiring@smartsurfacescoalition.org):
CV/Resume including a list and contacts for 3-4 references
Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in SSC’s mission
2–3 work samples that highlight the following:
Excel: An analytic workbook demonstrating advanced modeling or data processing skills
Technical writing with data visualization: A report, memo, or similar document that clearly explains analysis and includes charts/figures
Python or R scripting (optional but strongly encouraged): A script or notebook that demonstrates coding and data analysis ability
Immediate availability to begin training is preferred. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
About Smart Surfaces Coalition
SSC is a passionate, supportive team working to accelerate climate progress and to create more equitable and livable cities. We value our relationships with each other, hard work, and a high level of impact. SSC is funded by charitable foundations. We do not receive funding from corporations or trade associations.
SSC is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to racial equity and accessibility. Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are encouraged to apply. SSC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, gender identity or expression, or other status protected by applicable law.