Project Manager and Staff Researcher

Department Summary

About the Luskin Center for Innovation: Our mission is to advance effective and equitable solutions to pressing environmental challenges through actionable research that engages UCLA scholars, policymakers, and communities. We often focus on California, one of the world's largest economies, to support a model of environmental leadership that is relevant globally. Our approach is collaborative. We unite scholars across a wide array of disciplines and engage with hundreds of civic partners who inform and use our research. The Luskin Center for Innovation has influenced dozens of public policies and investments for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Position Summary

We seek to hire a part-time Project Manager and Researcher (with the possibility of full-time employment). The role is focused on community-based research, evaluation, communications, and technical assistance to track progress and support success of a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant funded effort in South Los Angeles. TCC is a California state program that funds community-led infrastructure projects and transformative plans for environmental, health, and economic benefits in under-served neighborhoods. TCC is a high-profile program dedicated to empowering communities to choose their vision, strategies, and projects to enact transformational change – all with data-driven milestones and measurable outcomes. Lessons from TCC are relevant for scaling climate action in other disinvested communities.

The Project Manager will engage deeply with the South LA Eco-Lab to advance its goals for a socially inclusive, sustainable, green, and climate-resilient community. Harnessing the leadership and vision of local residents, small businesses, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies, the South LA Eco-Lab is designed to facilitate economic development through climate action, and transform South LA into a healthier, more thriving neighborhood, one with lush green spaces, clean air, renewable energy infrastructure, and dynamic mobility options for pedestrians, bikers, and public transit riders. The South LA Eco-Lab is a coalition of civic partners that secured a $35 million, five-year TCC grant, in addition to other funding.

Responsibilities of the Project Manager include:

• Building and managing relationships with South LA Eco-Lab partners;
• Developing and refining qualitative data collection instruments such as surveys, interviewing guides, and focus group scripts;
• Directly collecting data with those instruments;
• Analyzing and reporting data in accessible ways;
• Producing journalistic written products about TCC efforts;
• Otherwise communicating about climate action in South LA in ways;
• Presenting findings to community stakeholders and government officials;
• Supervising students or resident fellows on the aforementioned tasks.

The Project Manager will also develop, fundraise for, and may implement a community research fellowship program that would entail training and guiding residents who would utilize their lived experience and skills to participant in TCC research and communication activities in their community. This is a rare opportunity for someone seeking a flexible, 20-hours a week position, with the possibility of increasing to 40-hours per week in 2025. The Project Manager may be required to attend meetings and events in South LA on a weekly or monthly basis. Daily work location can be hybrid, both at UCLA and remote, as mutually beneficial. We have a strong preference for someone with cultural competency and a deep connection to project area in South LA. See https://slatez.org/south-la-eco-lab/#area.

Qualifications

• Experience and/or comfort with being entrepreneurial and developing from scratch new programs or projects. (Required)
• Experienced and skilled project manager. (Required)
• Cultural competency and strong interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate and collaborate authentically, effectively, and professionally with a diverse group of community partners and colleagues. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, track, and meet simultaneous deadline requirements in the face of interruptions and shifting circumstances. (Required)
• Writing skills to prepare communication materials ranging from technical research reports to marketing materials that are analytical, grammatically correct, and as succinct as possible. (Required)
• Fluency in word processing platforms, such as Windows and Google Docs; experience using Excel and Google Sheets to organize data and run basic mathematical functions; and ability to understand and use new technologies and software programs. (Preferred)
• Basic skills in design tools to layout reports and/or create infographics. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to independently follow through on assignments, work effectively under frequent deadlines, handle fluctuating workload, and make logical decisions. (Required)
• Knowledge and interest in program and process evaluation as well fundraising. (Preferred)
• Knowledge in environmental planning and policy, particularly as they relate to environmental justice. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree A background or undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Communications or a related field or equivalent experience / training (Required)
• Master's Degree Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Public Health, or a related field or equivalent experience / training (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

COVID and Flu Vaccinations: The position is subject to providing evidence of inoculation.