Research Associate

California Budget & Policy Center • Sacramento, CA

3d • $64,707 - $84,435 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Associate is a valued member of the Budget Center’s growing team that supports the advancement of our strategic agenda through research and analysis, helps author innovative reports, and interacts with local, state, and national partners. This role works closely with policy analysts and senior staff to collect and analyze data, track policy developments, support the preparation of publications and presentations, and translate complex information into accessible materials that advance public understanding of budget and policy issues affecting Californians with low and middle incomes. For this position, we are seeking candidates who have a general interest in budget policy and interest and/or experience in working on early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policy issues. The Research Associate reports to a senior member of our analyst team or an Analyst Team Director.

Requirements

• Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial equity, preferably with experience embodying these values in equity-centered research, data analysis, or policy-related work.
• Dedicated to the goals and mission of the Budget Center, with a strong interest in conducting research and supporting policy solutions that improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
• Ability to effectively communicate (both written and verbal communication) complex information and concepts in a clear and concise manner to diverse audiences.
• Strong attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks and track progress while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with analysts and cross-functional team members.
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and build skills in policy analysis, research methods, and public communication.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in public policy research, analysis, or a closely related field.
• Strong analytical skills, including comfort working with numbers and spreadsheets.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products and the Google Suite.
• Bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma with four years of relevant experience is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in working on early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policy issues is a plus.
• Experience working with administrative datasets and Stata statistical software is a plus.
• Experience working with population-based survey datasets and US Census datasets is a plus.
• Familiarity with data visualization platforms (such as Data Wrapper) preferred.
• A degree in political science, economics, urban planning, or a related degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and analyze state and local data to support policy and budget analyses.
• Prepare charts, tables, and graphics for use in reports, issue briefs, presentations, and other publications.
• Assist in the preparation and drafting of written materials, including reports, fact sheets, and memos.
• Track state and federal legislation, budget actions, and policy developments relevant to the Budget Center’s work, particularly related to early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policies.
• Support analysts in reviewing data and materials for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.
• Participate in public education and outreach activities, including presentations, webinars, and convenings, as appropriate.
• Support responses to requests for information from advocates, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders.
• Help translate technical or data-heavy content into materials suitable for non-expert audiences.
• Participate in internal equity-focused efforts and professional development activities.
• Engage in and contribute to the Budget Center’s race and gender equity efforts by applying an equity lens to research, analysis, and data interpretation, and participating in internal initiatives focused on equity and inclusion.
• Assist with the development of the Budget Center’s annual policy conference (Policy Insights).

Benefits

• Excellent health insurance and dental and vision coverage (100% coverage of premiums for the employee; 90% coverage of premiums for dependents)
• Retirement benefits include a 403b plan and an annual SEP-IRA retirement contribution of at least 5% of salary (most recently set at 10% of salary); participation in the 403b plan is not required to receive an employer retirement contribution
• Annual paid leave benefits include: 12 vacation days, 12 sick days, 10 holidays, 4 personal days, Yearly evaluation of additional time off benefits during summer (half-day Fridays) and winter (late December office closure)
• Flexible work arrangements that support alternative schedules and both in-person and remote work
• 16 weeks of family leave for parents or caregivers
• FSAs for health, childcare, and transportation costs
• Annual stipends to cover home office, transportation, and well-being expenses
• Annual allocations for professional development

What This Job Offers

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