Job Description

Candidate Profile

Are you a nonprofit research and evaluation professional with a knack for data analysis and a desire to help shape the field of municipal sustainability? Do you have a strong background in areas like qualitative/quantitative research methods, relational databases, and data visualization? How about a passion for nonprofit impact analysis or network theory? If so, you might be an ideal candidate for USDN’s Data, Evaluation and Research Manager position!

Position Details

• Job Classification: Regular, Full-time, Exempt
• Work Location: Remote, Anywhere in the United States
• Salary: 65,000 – 75,000 Annual + Generous Benefits including 100% employer sponsored health, dental, and vision, flexible leave, and 401K.
• Reports to: Information Systems & Technology Director; working closely with and in support of members from the Operations, Development and Program teams.
• Closing Date: Recruitment will close on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Applicants encourages to apply early!

Position Description:

The USDN Data, Evaluation, and Research Manager develops high quality, impactful research and translates data into engaging communications to advance USDN Field Intelligence, steward impact data for grant and member reporting and to support the ongoing development of the field of urban sustainability. The position plays a crucial role in supporting information exchange and collaboration internally amongst staff and externally with members by designing process and data systems, performing research, building and maintaining databases of information about the work and interests of USDN’s local government members. The Data and Research Manager supports USDN by analyzing and presenting data through reports, visualizations, graphics, and spreadsheets, and supports USDN Program Directors focusing on climate resilience, transportation, renewable energy, building energy, climate planning, and equity on a range of research and project support needs

Responsibilities

Research Strategy and Project Leadership

• Setting the organization’s strategy for member research, field intelligence, and periodic evaluation.
• Helping to manage vendor relationships including strategic planning and key projects with Salesforce administrator and USDN.org website administrator.
• Developing time, resource, and sequence specific project plans for key research and data tasks for staff across USDN internal teams.
• Partnering with USDN staff and partners to develop necessary Salesforce and related systems architecture, trainings, and end-user materials to enable effective engagement with USDN information streams

Research and Analysis of Local Government Sustainability Data 

• Compiling information about local governments through research of the public domain and USDN internal sources to track progress and impact around the implementation of sustainability practices to support USDN strategic project work and help members get information they need to do their work better
• Conducting annual sensing survey and member activity preference survey;
• Administering other surveys to USDN member communities and synthesizing survey results to help USDN understand, respond to, and communicate about the interests, efforts and progress of members, as well as the value of the USDN network
• Managing the data connection strategy between survey platform data (e.g., Alchemer) and Salesforce data.
• Analyzing USDN program and impact data for grant reporting.

Visual Presentation of Data and Research 

• Organizing data into visuals for member and organization-wide information
• Creating and running reports and dashboards of data stored in Salesforce for USDN staff, members, funders, and other stakeholders
• Analyzing and creating visual and narrative reports of data collected through surveys
• Copy editing and formatting communications documents and presentations with USDN branding, including light graphic design work

Emergent and Special Projects 

Examples of tasks assigned to this position might include:

• Researching the North American communities that have implemented renewable energy procurement policies and sharing that information with staff and recording it in Salesforce;
• Coding data to help the tech/ops team design a piece of Salesforce configuration to store said data
• Collecting examples of jurisdictions using a racial equity lens in their community engagement work;
• Creating a one-page infographic summary of regional comparisons of participation in USDN activities;
• Collecting survey data about current sustainability office size, comparing it to historical data stored in Salesforce, and producing a chart to show trends over time;
• Assisting technology and operations staff in developing and implementing a data hygiene plan for the organization.

Requirements: 

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate some combination of the following skills, experiences, and abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree, or demonstrable ability in research and evaluation (a graduate degree in evaluation and research methods is a plus).
• Minimum 1-3 years experience in a research, evaluation, or data analytics focus role. Related work experience in the nonprofit or member services context is preferable.
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in sustainability, local government, or network theory.
• Skilled in computer technologies, including CRM platforms (basic Salesforce administration skills a huge plus), data analysis and visualization tools, Microsoft Office (Excel wizard!), Google Workspace, online survey platforms (e.g., Alchemer), etc.
• Experience in survey design and research methods.

The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:

• Proactive problem-solver,  with the ability to work through ambiguity to identify potential issues and brainstorm solutions.
• Results-oriented and committed to learning and continuous improvement.
• Mission-driven with a passion for fostering social, economic, and environmental change
• Ability to translate USDN Core Values and Racial Equity Principles and Commitments into Data and Research workflows, assignments and actions.
• Ability to balance a highly collaborative work culture with dynamic project work that requires an ability to work independently and with limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator and active listenerOrganized, analytical, and highly motivated.
• Detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Terms of Employment. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to Information Systems & Technology Director. The compensation range for this position is expected to be between $65,000 – $75,000  annually. USDN offers a robust benefits package, including 100% employer covered health, dental, disability, and life insurance, flexible leave policy, generous paid leave, and 401(k) program.

Location. This is a fully remote, work-from-home position. USDN has no central office but staff collaborate extensively via video call meetings and through periodic in-peron convenings. The candidates must furnish their own quiet office space for conference calls. USDN provides an IT stipend to cover internet and phone use, computer, software, and other home office supplies. Work hours: 9am-5pm Eastern, Central, Mountain, or Pacific Standard Times (flexible); 40 hours/week.

About USDN. The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) supports local governments to implement bold change in pursuit of equitable and sustainable communities. It does this by building the capacity of local governments to act, scaling promising practices and solutions, and harnessing data and insights to advance and influence the field. The heart of USDN’s work is a network of local government sustainability professionals from over 250 cities and counties across the United States and Canada dedicated to creating a healthy environment, advancing racial equity, and building thriving and resilient communities. USDN is powered by a distributed team of 20 people that work together across the United States, and a robust network of trusted partners and collaborators. USDN believes that a diverse, inclusive, and equity-centered climate movement is essential to achieving our ambitious goals for just, resilient, carbon neutral communities. Our work prioritizes those who experience the most vulnerability to climate change, disproportionate exposure to environmental injustice, and the biggest barriers to benefiting from climate solutions.

Urban Sustainability Directors Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage applications from qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, racialized communities, Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities. Should you require accommodations through the application process, please let us know.

How to Apply

Application Instructions. We accept applications through an online application program, Breezy. To apply click here. When you apply you will be prompted to provide your contact information (full name, email address, and phone number). You will be required to attach a resume, and to include your cover letter in a text field. Additionally, you will also be prompted to complete a demographic questionnaire. Your responses to the questionnaire are kept separately from your application and help us to monitor and improve our recruitment and outreach efforts, to reach a wide diversity of candidates. If you do not wish to provide responses to the demographic questionnaire, please select the option, "prefer not to answer." Recruitment will close on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Job Categories: Sustainability. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: See posting for details.

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