Director, Science Policy

Permanent

Executive

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Our Organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

Science in the service of people and the planet.

Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.

Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.

Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.

Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions.

Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s Executive Program

The Director of Science Policy is responsible for advancing rigorous, independent science at UCS and enhancing UCS's effectiveness and visibility in developing evidence-based solutions and advocacy for a healthy, safe, and just future. This position exists to provide leadership, guidance, and project management on UCS strategies to bring scientists and robust science to bear on strengthening public policies and enhance UCS’ presence and reputation in the scientific community. Scope includes but is not limited to emerging issues that do not fit well into existing programs, and strategic opportunities to strengthen UCS prominence and connections in the scientific community. The position provides input on longer-term directions for UCS to ensure science-based advocacy, communications and analysis.

Responsibilities

Advance rigorous, independent science in UCS activities and mission.

- Provide leadership, guidance, and coordination of UCS strategies to bring scientists and robust science to bear in UCS research, advocacy, and communications.

- Lead and support organization-wide strategic initiatives and UCS-relevant rapid response activities and communications that don’t fit squarely within a UCS program or campaign

- Provide counsel to the President, Vice President for Programs, Policy, and Advocacy, the Executive Team, and the UCS Board of Directors on scientific and strategic issues of priority concern, including troubleshooting, and assessing possible emerging opportunities for UCS engagement with the scientific community.

- Identify and lead UCS initiatives to advance UCS scientists and analysts’ effectiveness and professional growth in the scientific community.

Enhance UCS connections to and prominence in the scientific and science policy communities

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key scientists, leaders, and science policy experts in academia, government, NGOs, and relevant scientific societies and institutions.

Represent UCS and enhance UCS participation and standing in prominent scientific and science policy spaces, such as scientific society conferences, Congressional activities, and National Academies events.

Encourage and facilitate the introduction of members of UCS’ scientific community to these networks and individuals.

As appropriate, lead and/or participate in major external scientific initiatives.

Advise senior staff leadership in the deployment, coordination, and opportunities to strengthen UCS’s networks of physical, natural, social, and health scientists, engineers, and economists, and recruitment of these professionals as volunteers, members, colleagues, and advocates.

Contribute to peer-reviewed literature, as appropriate.

Support Donor Relations and Media Relations

In coordination with the Development Department and relevant program staff, brief major donors, foundation directors, program officers, and members of the National Advisory Board.

Ensure effective representation of UCS’s scientific work in development activities.

Support development of fundraising strategies and contacts, particularly as it applies to emerging cross-disciplinary initiatives.

In coordination with the Communications Department and Program Directors, serve as a senior media spokesperson on the scientific and as appropriate, related policy dimensions of global environmental change issues.

Represent UCS on these issues in key policy and public forums.

Other Duties as Assigned

Develop and implement policies and procedures to promote, support, and ensure rigorous, independent science

Establish new (or update existing) policies and procedures for ensuring scientific excellence at UCS, including expectations for rigorous scientific and analytic methods, scientific ethics in data handling, and effective interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations.

Bring transparency and equity to all policies and procedures.

People Management Authority

May supervise consultants, interns, or fellows as appropriate.

Qualifications and Experience

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

Position requires a PhD in a relevant scientific field, and a sophisticated understanding of the role of science in shaping and motivating public policy on UCS issues.

Position requires ten or more years of successful comparable and relevant experience, including significant management experience, and demonstrated commitment to excellence in the application of science to public policy, especially on global change issues.

Position requires excellent leadership skills, project management experience, and outstanding written and verbal communication ability.

Expertise in the scientific and related policy dimensions of global environmental change issues is required.

Expertise in how rigorous, independent science informs policy decisions, and the role of science advocacy in a nonprofit setting.

Ability to understand and navigate in public policy forums.

Must be able to engage and effectively communicate with scientists in a variety of disciplines, policymakers and other leaders in the public and private sectors, and the public.

A strong reputation in the scientific community and a distinguished record of policy-relevant research is preferred, as is a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and support the professional development of scientific and other staff.

Demonstrated ability to write in a clear and accessible way for a range of audiences, especially under tight deadlines and quick turnaround rapid response situations.

Experience with the media and public outreach and familiarity with scientist organizing strategies is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Describe the work environment and physical requirements for performing the position’s essential responsibilities, including:  

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.

Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.

Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.

Work Schedule

Regular office hours, with occasional nights and weekend hours in connection with urgent events or critical deadlines.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel to represent UCS to external audiences (e.g., with the scientific community or policy makers).

Occasional travel to coordinate with colleagues and supervises staff.

Occasional travel to attend in-person Executive Team or Program meetings, and/or staff retreats (estimated 5-10 overnights per year) and in-person Board meetings (estimated 2 days for 2 of 3 Board meetings each year).

Details:

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $151,733.42. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is NOT in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.

Union of Concerned Scientists

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Director, Science Policy