Job Opportunities

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland is looking for research assistant(s) with excellent research, coordination, and communication skills. The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts. 

These will be paid hourly positions up to 40 hours/week over the fall. The research assistants will work with CGS and our collaborators, as appropriate, to apply robust and innovative research approaches to understanding national climate ambition, energy transition, climate finance, nonCO2 mitigation, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates. 

Specific projects may include but are not limited to the following:

• Near- and long-term low carbon development strategies of key countries
• All-of-society climate mitigation strategies in the United States
• Accelerated fossil transition pathways in key countries, potentially including but not limited to subnational strategies
• Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, such as air quality and human health, economic development, and other national priorities
• Scenarios for analyzing climate and transition risks to the economy and financial system
• Decarbonization strategies for industry, transportation, and other sectors
• Methane and other non-CO2 reduction strategies at national or subnational levels
• Agricultural and other land-related mitigation options

Specific tasks may include the following:

• Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies
• Collect, analyze and visualize data
• Contribute to writing reports and potential research papers
• Support research communications, data visualization, and content creation for all of CGS’s digital mediums

Specific required skills are:

• Knowledge in climate, energy, and sustainability issues and policies
• Excellent English language proficiency required, particularly written
• Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment
• Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management

Specific preferred skills include:

• Coding skills in R, Python and/or STATA
• Geospatial analysis and/or econometric skills
• Ability to read and interpret legislation

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE 2024 FALL PROGRAM? APPLY NOW! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The priority deadline for the Fall is August 9, 2024. 

Under the supervision of the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, the Digital Communications Coordinator will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities. Develop and implement robust social media and web strategies to increase the visibility of the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS), its researchers, and their events and publications. Develop content and digital strategies that will increase community engagement among CGS stakeholders and key audiences. Improve traffic across the Center’s website and all social platforms. Create and edit digital/social content and toolkits, including for social media accounts, newsletters, webpages, and blogs. Oversee SEO strategy for web content, produce a weekly internal newsletter, and launch a new CGS newsletter for an external audience. Manage the design, production, and effective multichannel distribution of CGS’s research products and related promotion and messaging. Produce or manage the design of impactful graphics and other images for the web, social media, publications, and presentations. Track and measure the ongoing performance of CGS web and social accounts, assessing the performance and engagement of CGS’s brand, research, thought leadership, products, and advocacy efforts. Use data-driven and other analytical strategies to help determine web and social media as well as program and initiative success. Make recommendations for improving the center’s web and social media performance on an ongoing basis. Develop promotion and awareness campaigns to elevate the visibility of CGS research and publications. Maintain consistent brand messaging and style for all web and social media content. Establish a strong online presence that connects with audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Coordinate with the School of Public Affairs’ digital and web team. 

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in digital marketing or digital communications is required.

Experience:

• Two to three years experience in social media and web communications and marketing.

Preferences:

• Developing content for digital media platforms (websites and social media platforms).
• Designing visuals for social media and other digital platforms
• Establishing a strong online presence and in building an organization’s voice and audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Developing digital media promotion and awareness campaigns.
• Generating effective digital analytics to assess web and social media performance.
• Using Canva, ShutterStock, Sprout Social, Constant Contact, Google Analytics, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced through displaying self-awareness, understanding, and valuing others.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $75,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The priority deadline is October 2, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Under the supervision of the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, the Assistant Program Director will take on the following tasks and responsibilities. Develop and maintain partnerships with external organizations and stakeholder groups to elevate CGS’s visibility and advance its goals. Plans, directs, and coordinates strategic engagements with CGS external partners and stakeholders. Manage and at times represent CGS at multilateral meetings and conferences, advancing CGS’s research and policy recommendations. Help to build and expand CGS visibility and impact at the local, national, and global levels. Help define engagement scope, objectives, risks, and approach. Manage complex strategic engagements on behalf of CGS and its leadership and researchers. Prepare event and meeting agendas, assemble materials for distribution, develop briefing notes, and draft talking points. Manage multiple projects and events simultaneously.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public policy or climate/environmental studies
• Seven or more years of professional experience in public affairs, external relations, or stakeholder relations, specifically in the climate or environmental policy field

Preferences:    

• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance the center’s reputation and that of its scholars.
• Promote positive relationships with the public, government officials, and key stakeholder organizations.
• Ability to work with and build coalitions with similar academic and climate policy/advocacy organizations.
• Monitor and assess policy developments and legislation that might impact the center’s research agenda and coalition efforts.
• Serve as a champion the center’s research, mission, values, and goals.
• Knowledge of Washington climate and environmental policy-making a plus.
• Strong project management skills
• Collegiality, positive attitude, and sense of humor is a must.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced through displaying self-awareness, understanding, and valuing others.

The salary range for this position is $96,000-$120,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The priority deadline is October 14, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Assistant Director for Finance (ADF) at the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS), in the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Policy (SPP), will be responsible for overseeing CGS finance functions. The ADF will manage the implementation of all sponsored research administration, financial and accounting functions of the CGS portfolio. The ADF will manage pre-award and post-award activities and compliance of all CGS grants, prepare and submit required sponsor financial reports, and will be the finance POC for sponsor grants team and subaward collaborators. The ADF will also handle the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) joint appointments and work closely with the PNNL business office to monitor PNNL agreements and appointments. The ADF will oversee all accounts, generate regular project financial reports, and work closely with the research director and research leads to ensure research progress is inline with project budgets. The ADF will also direct all financial processes for CGS, including all procurement tasks (purchase orders (POs) and payments) and travel activities. In addition, the ADF will monitor the financial strength of CGS and produce executive summaries to support the CGS leadership team’s decision making and to be used for internal and external presentations. The ADF will report to the CGS director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 7 years experience in finance/accounting and/or sponsored research administration.
  • Two (2) or more years of direct supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Sponsored Research Administration, Compliance, Accounting and Finance.

The salary range for this position is $104,000-$120,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The best consideration date is November 4, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Human Capital and Operations Manager (HCOM) at the Center for Global Sustainability in the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Policy (SPP), will be responsible for CGS all aspects of payroll and daily administrative activities. The HCOM will manage the entire human capital management cycle for both academic and staff appointments from manage position, job requisitions, hire and onboarding, I-9, compensation, termination, and change job. CGS employees are comprised of almost 50% foreign nationals requiring visa applications and extensions. The HCOM will also oversee all facilities and space for CGS as well as IT equipment and general daily operations for CGS.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of professional human resources or operations experience.

The salary range for this position is $68,240-$85,300. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The best consideration date is November 4, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Business Services Specialist works with the Human Capital and Operations Manager at the Center for Global Sustainability to process all aspects of payroll and daily and administrative activities. The position will be responsible for payroll and human resources functions Including visa processes for International hires. Other duties include office supplies and equipment purchases, file management, and other miscellaneous administrative duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:
High School Diploma or GED.

Experience:
Six years progressively responsible experience in a combination of budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, and personnel work.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Working knowledge of and ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Working knowledge of management principles and practices. 
• Skill in applying basic analytical skills to review expenditures and revenues, prepare forecasts, and reconcile accounts. 
• Skill in performing basic mathematical computations. 
• Skill in planning work and supervising others. 
• Skill in organizing and executing multiple assignments under specific time constraints. 
• Ability to understand and interpret University policies and procedures in the areas of finance, human resources, payroll, purchasing, and sponsored programs. 
• Ability to prepare and present budgetary, accounting, and other reports and schedules. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Ability to operate office equipment, computers, and related software. 
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact.

Preferences:

• Superior customer service skills – proven experience and background in working with people at all levels within the organization (students, staff, faculty) and with external customers
• Excellent communication skills – proven writing skills and ability to communicate clearly by video and other electronic media in a clear and professional manner.
• Experience and proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and cloud-based collaborative file-sharing products.
• Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and work effectively within a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills
• as evidenced; by understanding and valuing others; and interacting effectively with a diversity of people; fostering equity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of J-1, F-1, and H1b visa requirements and application processes. Experience at a higher education institution.

The salary range for this position is $49,582-$59,498. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The position will close on October 21, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Organization Overview
Through innovative research and policy engagement, the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) seeks to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, communities, and people envision and implement possibilities for ambitious climate and sustainability action. CGS is a leading university-based research center based inside the Washington, DC beltway that engages to inform national, international, state, and non-governmental policy and decision processes.

Position Description
The CGS is hiring up to two Program Coordinators to provide project management across a portfolio of projects within CGS country programs, particularly the U.S. program and the international portfolio. The responsibilities of this position also include supporting the CGS research office and country program leads on collaboration coordination and stakeholder engagement as well as helping to coordinate CGS research activities with communication and general operations. Additionally, a smaller share (about 25%) of these roles will contribute to research analysis and the development of research products as appropriate.

Project(s) Description
Over the past years, CGS has led an integrated program to shape U.S. and global understanding of how to think about, build the support for, and deliver ambitious all-of-society climate strategies in the U.S. and other major economies globally. As global ambition and the need for climate action continue to increase, we will support comprehensive approaches that can lead to more ambitious, credible, analytically robust, and durable outcomes both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Experience and Qualifications
This position requires an innovative and energetic leader with a commitment and passion for supporting and building on CGS’s values, goals, and strategy. The candidate should be self-motivated, team-oriented, committed to mentoring and education, and interested in supporting and deploying field-leading research to inform policy-making on climate and sustainability issues. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of success.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum of 4 years of experience in relevant areas, including policy analysis, research program management.
• OR a masters degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant areas.

Preferences:

• Understanding of the academic research environment.
• Strong project management skills and experience.
• Preferred degree discipline: climate change, energy, environment, public policy, business administration, etc.
• Experience with climate policy in the United States (either at the federal level, state and/or local government level) or internationally (including Asia, Latin America, and Africa), along with knowledge of key stakeholder groups.
• Experience in linking research insights to external impact.
• Experience working with both universities and policy environments outside of academia.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• The ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced through displaying self-awareness, understanding, and valuing others.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $75,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If interested, apply here.

The Research Assistant will work with CGS and our collaborators to develop and apply robust and innovative research approaches to better understand pathways to reach challenging and ambitious climate and sustainability goals at international, national, and/or sub-national levels. Such research approaches may include integrated quantitative analysis and modeling, empirical methods, qualitative and mixed methods, or other approaches to understanding energy systems, land use, non-CO2 climate forcers, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates.

Primary duties and tasks of this position may include:

• Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies.
• Conduct background research on energy technology trends.
• Collect and synthesize data for use in quantitative, integrated modeling.
• Process, analyze, and visualize data.
• Modify and run an integrated assessment model (GCAM) to produce different policy and technology scenarios.
• Process and downscale model outputs to needed resolution.
• Contribute to developing reports and research papers.
• Support policy engagements with key local, national, and international stakeholders.
• Use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to address key research questions.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

Preferences:

• Excellent English language proficiency.
• Degree in Public Policy, Engineering, Economics, or related field, with knowledge in climate, energy and sustainability issues.
• Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Coding skills in R and/or Python.
• Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If interested, apply here.