Assistant Policy Scientist

University of Delaware • Newark, NJ

40d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration provides undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service across the broad fields of public policy and administration, and contributes to a range of interdisciplinary areas at UD. Named in honor of the 46th President of the United States and UD alumnus Joe Biden, the Biden School supports a full body of faculty, staff, and students in research, student support services, and finance and administration. The Biden School also hosts six institutes and research centers, including the Biden Institute, Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research, Center for Community Research and Service, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, Center for Historic Architecture and Design, and the Institute for Public Administration. We are a place where passion becomes profession and tangible impact is core to our mission. The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) is a research center that addresses the policy, planning, and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professional development, and the education of tomorrow’s leaders. As a member of IPA’s Regional Development team, the Assistant Policy Scientist will support and contribute to the development and management of public service work programs related to local government technical assistance and capacity building, municipal planning, and public administration functions, such as capital asset planning, housing and community development, and fiscal management. The Assistant Policy Scientist must possess significant writing, research, and analysis skills, along with the demonstrated ability in one or more of the following areas: community planning, housing policy, transportation policy, climate resilience and sustainability, or municipal budgeting/capital asset planning. Work is minimally supervised for less complex projects and moderately supervised for more complex projects. This position will support IPA’s commitment to meet the growing demand for regional development and planning services by providing research and public service in Delaware and the surrounding region. The Assistant Policy Scientist will ensure the continuity of professional and timely public service to our partners and clients, including but not limited to projects that support local governments, the Delaware legislature, and Delaware state agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget, Delaware State Housing Authority, and the Delaware Department of Transportation. This position is part of a career ladder.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with four years’ experience, Master's degree with two years’ experience or Doctoral degree.
• Experience in the field of public policy or a closely related field and may include some combination of full-time employment, internships and research assistantships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to initiate and negotiate contracts for services that support the vision and mission of the institute, school, and university.
• Ability to work flexible hours Monday through Friday.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• The position requires the incumbent to drive and travel statewide to deliver services and carry objects that are 25lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in and/or with local governments is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with database, spreadsheet, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and/or statistical analysis software is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops, delivers, and manages technical assistance programs to Delaware’s local governments.
• Conducts client-oriented research and public service projects focused on traditional and emerging regional development, planning and public administration topics. Key policy areas could include infrastructure, transportation, housing, climate resilience, budgeting, and energy.
• Designs, facilitates, and provides staff support for in-person and virtual outreach, training, and workshop sessions on in-demand topics.
• Identifies and actively pursues funding opportunities, successfully obtains smaller amounts of funding, and acts as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI with state agencies, local governments, and other organizations.
• Collaborates on programs and activities within IPA, the Biden School, and other University of Delaware programs.
• Presents at statewide conferences on topics related to IPA projects.
• Supervises small project teams consisting of support staff, professionals, graduate research assistants, and undergraduate students.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level