Smart Surfaces Coalition

Full Time Positions

Seeking: Resilience Data Analyst

MAKE AN IMPACT with the smart surfaces coalition

The Smart Surfaces Coalition (SSC) is a fast-growing non-profit organization made up of 40+ leading NGOs from a wide range of industries including architecture and design, city law and policy, energy, planning, urban data analytics, public health, and environmental justice. The Coalition supports the rapid adoption of Smart Surfaces—a term referring to the integrated deployment of reflective, porous, and green surfaces, solar PV, and urban trees—in cities in the US and globally. This is one of the largest, least deployed, and most cost-effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and is central to addressing urban environmental justice issues. SSC seeks a passionate and enthusiastic individual with 1–3 years of directly relevant, substantial experience to serve as a Climate Resilience Data Analyst.

Title: Climate Resilience Data Analyst

  • Location: Hybrid remote. Candidates located in/near or willing to relocate to Washington DC are preferred

  • Position: Full-time

  • Duration: 2+ years

  • Start Date: August 2023

  • Job Description

The Climate Resilience Data Analyst will conduct research and analysis in a wide array of economic and environmental impact areas to support the development of SSC’s Cost-Benefit Analytic Tool, which quantifies the co-benefits of Smart Surface deployment in urban contexts. Research topics will include urban heat exposure, stormwater management, health and air quality, urban forestry, building energy efficiency, renewable energy, construction materials, and carbon sequestration.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Research and develop quantification pathways for components of the Cost-Benefit Analytic Tool, including climate, health, energy, water, and economic impact variables

  • Track Smart Surface technology costs, performance specifications, regional availability, and market penetration

  • Conduct economic and job-impact analyses of regional Smart Surfaces implementation

  • Benchmark performance of Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool against other industry standard models and methods

  • Develop reports/memos and present on Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool research to SSC team, SSC partners, city partners, community partners, and SSC Steering Committee.

  • Perform analytical and research tasks under the supervision of data project manager or other team members

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Environmental Studies, Climate/Energy Science, Urban Planning, Geography, Engineering, Public Health, or other related field

  • Demonstrated passion for climate change mitigation and adaptation, urban transformation, environmental justice, and equity

  • Experience conducting quantitative research, analysis, and managing data, with excellent math and computer skills

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills

  • Detail-oriented, with attention to unit conversions, discount rates, nominal and real dollars, and other economic principles

  • Effective self-starter who takes ownership and accountability for project deliverables with a demonstrated ability to multitask

  • Experience conducting systematic literature reviews

  • Ability to synthesize and summarize research and analysis

  • Ability to work and communicate well with project managers and team members

  • Strong time management and ability to manage a remote work environment

  • Ability to work independently and to exercise judgment and creativity

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in wrangling, cleaning, and analyzing data using R or Python

  • GIS proficiency, including QGIS, Esri products (ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps)

  • Database design, using AirTable or other GUIs

  • Experience working with leading environmental models (BenMap, SWIMM, PVWatts, I-Tree)

Benefits:

  • Salary - $50,000-60,000

  • Medical + Dental coverage

  • 3 weeks PTO, in addition to all federal holidays

SSC has 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.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not rules. Applicants with different experiences and skill sets than those listed are encouraged to apply!

Interested individuals should email a CV and cover letter describing their background and what work areas most interest them to Dean Berkowitz (dberkowitz@smartsurfacescoalition.org). SSC is looking for a candidate with immediate availability for training. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Smart Surfaces Coalition 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.