Job Openings

Position: Researcher or Senior Researcher
Department: California 
Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt
Location: Remote but in Los Angeles, CA, preferred
Reports to: California Director
Anticipated State Date: August 1, 2023
Salary Range: Salary Range $55,500-$72,500 for Staff Researcher and $65,500-$80,500 for Senior Researcher (depending on level of experience)

At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, Jobs to Move America ─ JMA is uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and expanded access to training for historically underrepresented groups.

Who we are  ─ About Jobs to Move America:
Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website.

What You’ll Do ─  Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Researcher plays a key role in conducting and coordinating research to support programmatic work to advance racial, gender and economic equity in strategic publicly funded sectors including infrastructure, transit, and manufacturing in California and across the country. The Researcher also supports community benefits agreement campaigns that encourage global manufacturing firms to commit to practices that create family-sustaining U.S. jobs and to generate economic opportunities for low-income communities of color, women, and other groups that have historically faced systemic barriers to accessing family-sustaining jobs.

Within 6 months

• Conduct research to support current efforts to win comprehensive campaigns using a variety of sources, including publicly available databases and online resources.
• Conduct corporate research and develop profiles to better understand the role of business and industry in upholding systems of oppression.
• Create systems and practices for tracking, deploying and utilizing research across the current and future California campaigns and JMA staff.
• File public records requests and interpret public records, such as legal filings, regulatory records, real estate documents, securities and exchange commission required filings and political campaign filings
• Develop reports, fact sheets, white papers and other campaign materials and research products for various audiences including elected officials, workers, staff at public agencies, partners and community members.
• Help cultivate relationships with transportation and public agency staff, attend regular board and committee meetings, review meeting materials, and monitor agency procurements and contract compliance.
• Comply with all organizational policies and procedures, including timely attention to administrative responsibilities.
• Contribute to JMA’s organizational development, for example assisting with fundraising, providing peer evaluations, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 15% of time).

After 1 year

• Develop campaign and policy recommendations based on research and analysis of public records, quantitative and qualitative research and surveys and any other relevant research.
• Ability to tailor information to different audiences and frame data to meet the needs and objectives of campaigns
• Discipline in balancing curiosity and exploration into relevant data while maintaining sharp focus on core research questions and thesis
• Maintain self-awareness of when you’ve hit the limits of your expertise and demonstrate initiative and openness to tapping experts as needed

About you ─ Required Qualifications:
Minimum

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort with factual and persuasive writing
• Experience using government websites and general resources to write profiles of companies, agencies, programs and policies
• Demonstrate persistence in questioning data to achieve 100% accuracy and full confidence in information being provided, including gathering verifiable data and evidence to support findings and recommendations
• Consistency in following up to ensure any questions on the data are answered—interrogate doubts and investigate anomalies on expected findings
• Ability to take a collaborative approach in ensuring research meets the needs of a campaign (will consult with communications, legal, organizing, policy and other teams to gather input and must be flexible to making changes)
• Demonstrate understanding of context and circumstances and practices creativity and curiosity in identifying research
• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including JMA employees as well as external partners
• Demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to participate in a culture of feedback with a commitment to continually strengthening practice of courageous and non-violent communication including: communicating clearly and directly with colleagues, being proactive to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, especially across differences, consistently strengthening ability and practice in giving and receiving both positive and constructive feedback to support each other’s learning and personal growth
• Maintain flexibility: be ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and adapt quickly to change
• Must be highly organized, able to multitask, and manage competing priorities
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and carry out assignments to completion
• Familiarity with Google Workspace
• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant campaign and research experience can be considered in lieu of a four-year degree

Other Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits:

• Salary Range $55,500-$72,500 for Staff Researcher and $65,500-$80,500 for Senior Researcher (depending on level of experience)
• Employers pay 100 percent of medical, dental, and vision premium
• Generous PTO: 12 days paid vacation, 12 sick days, 9 federal holidays, 12 personal days per year, 2 floating holiday
• Annual salary increases
• JMA contributes 5% of the employee salary towards their 401k plan after 6 months of employment.
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices.
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is a member of the bargaining unit.
• Covid-19 work from home monthly $75 stipend
• Cell phone Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• Work from home office set up provided if needed

How to Apply
Apply here. Upload a cover letter, resume, and three work references. Only applications submitted via this process will be considered. No phone calls, please. Interviews will be conducted virtually. As part of the candidate screening process for this role, applicants who advance in the interview process will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment.

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.  Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee’s voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.