First position: Project Manager, Safer Chemicals

Overall Function

The Project Manager, Safer Chemicals is a critical support role in the development, execution, and communication of EDF Safer Chemicals initiative projects. The Safer Chemicals initiative seeks to drive significant reductions in the use and exposure to toxic chemicals especially among vulnerable populations and communities at greatest risk by securing lasting solutions that target long-standing inequities in exposures and associated health impacts.  The project manager will work across teams, participating on advocacy on chemicals policy as well as managing policy and science projects internally and with external partners. They will also support strategy development, donor communications, and team coordination across the Safer Chemicals Initiative.  The Project Manager, Safer Chemicals will report to the Senior Manager, Safer Chemicals and will work closely with senior Health Directors.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support EDF Safer Chemicals initiative with focus on relevant policy analysis, writing, and translating environmental health policy work for broader consumption.
  • Play a key role in advancing advocacy goals through representing EDF through meetings with policymakers, presentations, interviews, as well as internally with EDF staff.  
  • Support and manage ongoing projects with internal and external partners, including from academia, NGO partners, industry, and community-based organizations.
  • Contribute to strategic planning, donor reports and other communications to current and prospective EDF donors.
  • Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
  • Develop work plans, negotiate project agreements and scopes of work, identify and procure necessary resources, and manage project work and deliverables.
  • Develop and apply appropriate means for measuring the success of Safer Chemicals projects.
  • Contribute to reports, fact sheets, blog posts, and other materials for general and specific audiences on the topics of focus.
  • In addition to these responsibilities, the Project Manager will play an integral role in other activities including fundraising, project evaluation, identifying new opportunities, thought-leadership development, meeting facilitation, and disseminating and communicating sector results.
  • Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of related experience or advanced degree (preferably Master of Public Health or Master of Environmental Science) with 2 more years of related work experience in environmental health, policy analysis, environmental advocacy or related fields.
  • A broad understanding of environmental health science and policy including the health impacts of chemical exposure and environmental justice; familiarity with EPA regulatory policy and/or the Toxic Substances Control Act preferred.
  • Experience managing relationships and working in partnerships, including with community-based organizations, to support more inclusive policy development and implementation.
  • An ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of small teams in an energetic and creative environment.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong analytical skills and experience supporting highly visible work.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle many tasks and deadlines and to respond quickly to changing opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency in the use of PCs and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

2nd Position: Research Analyst, Safer Chemicals

OVERALL FUNCTION

The Research Analyst will be a key team member of EDF’s Safer Chemicals strategic initiative. The Safer Chemicals initiative seeks to drive significant reductions in the use and exposure to toxic chemicals especially among vulnerable populations and communities at greatest risk by securing lasting solutions that target long-standing inequities in exposures and associated health impacts. The Research Analyst will conduct chemicals-focused research primarily to support EDF’s work to ensure health-protective implementation of the nation’s main chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as amended by the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, as well as other relevant statutes that support efforts to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals. Working within our team of attorneys, scientists, and policy specialists, the Research Analyst will also assist with the development and implementation of policy solutions to protect public health and the environment from toxic chemicals. The Research Analyst will report to the Scientist, Healthy Communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct scientific and policy-related research on key chemical risk evaluation and risk management issues related to TSCA and other environmental statutes.
  • Track, collect, and analyze information from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and other chemical databases to support specific policy and advocacy needs, including EPA’s reviews of, and actions on, chemicals under TSCA.
  • Synthesize findings of analyses in various formats (e.g., memos, data analyses) to support EDF comments on EPA activities and related advocacy.
  • Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
  • Monitor legislative activity, including TSCA oversight, and support congressional outreach related to toxic chemicals.
  • Contribute to science communication by developing or supporting public facing materials (e.g., reports, fact sheets, blog posts) for general audiences on chemical and TSCA-related topics.
  • Represent EDF in external forums with a high degree of professionalism.
  • Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience or Master’s degree (preferably Master of Public Health or Master of Environmental Science), and related work experience in environmental health, policy analysis, environmental advocacy or related fields;
  • Ability to collect, manipulate, and analyze scientific data and participate in preparation of reports;
  • Ability to synthesize, interpret and communicate scientific information in an advocacy setting;
  • Demonstrated research, communication and writing skills;
  • Ability to work independently and to support a multi-disciplinary team, using judgment required to plan, prioritize, and organize diversified workload;
  • Ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience;
  • Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Highly proficient in the use of PCs and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.); and
  • Familiarity or experience with the following subject areas is desirable but not required: (i) TSCA statute and implementation; (ii) chemical toxicity, exposure and risk assessment issues; and (iii) environmental justice.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

https://www.healtheffects.org/opportunity/research-assistant

The Health Effects Institute (www.healtheffects.org) seeks a motivated Research Assistant to join our science team. HEI is a leading scientific institute that funds high-quality research on air pollution, energy development, and health effects to inform policy decisions around the world. This position will primarily support our core air pollution program with opportunities to learn from staff across all of HEI’s programs.

This position is an excellent entry-level, full-time opportunity for an individual who has science training and wants experience that would be helpful in defining their next steps in educational and career development. We expect a candidate to make a 1.5-to-2-year commitment, beginning in August 2023 or soon thereafter. The successful candidate will work closely with HEI’s scientific staff in an intellectually engaging and collaborative work environment located in the heart of Boston’s downtown.

About HEI

HEI is a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1980 as an independent research organization to provide high-quality, impartial, and relevant science on the health effects of air pollution in the United States, Europe, and around the world. HEI typically receives balanced funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the worldwide motor vehicle industry. Other public and private organizations periodically support special projects or certain research programs.

The core air pollution program produces science to inform important environmental and health decisions in North America and Europe. Learn more.

The global health program offers opportunities to help advance the goals of clean air in countries around the world — especially in low- and middle-income countries with high air pollution levels. Learn more.

The energy program provides policy-relevant science about population exposures and health effects associated with onshore development of oil and natural gas from shale and other unconventional resources, including the process of hydraulic fracturing, in the United States. Learn more.

Position Description

Responsibilities
•    Work with science staff to prepare summary documents, including technical reports, policy briefs, and factsheets related to ongoing projects and meetings and meeting minutes.
•    Collect, organize, and analyze scientific literature and manage literature databases.
•    Participate in various meetings and events conducted by HEI.
•    Prepare clear and effective visual presentations of data.
•    Conduct secondary research as needed on specific topics.
•    Assist with social media strategy, content generation, and scheduling as needed.
•    Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications
•    
Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, public health, environmental science, engineering, or closely related field. Candidates with Master’s degrees will not be considered for this position.
•    Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work with people from diverse technical and geographic backgrounds.
•    Experience with MS Office suite and citation management systems (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley).

•    Strong writing and science communication skills.
•    Quantitative analytical and data visualization skills; experience with R and/or Python and GIS software would be helpful.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. This includes candidates who are on OPT/STEM OPT. HEI values opportunities for in-person interaction among staff and with its scientific committees but provides some flexibility for working remotely.

Compensation, Benefits, and Environment

HEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in its work and staff. We endeavor to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all at HEI, free from discrimination of all types, including race, gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity, national origin, and disability. HEI offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a stimulating environment, including the following:

•    Excellent work–life balance.
•    Generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
•    Contributions to a 403b retirement plan.
•    80% of health and 100% of dental premiums are covered by the organization.
•    Fully paid life insurance.
•    Flexible spending accounts available for health, child, and elder care expenses.
•    Pretax commuter benefits.
•    Salary range: $39,000–$59,000.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their applications via email (HR@healtheffects.org) and include the following items:

•    Cover letter briefly expressing interest in and qualifications for the position.
•    Résumé.
•    Unofficial transcript of courses taken for the last degree. Please note that we may request official transcripts if you are invited for an interview.
•    Two samples of independent writing.
•    Names of three references with contact information.

HEI will not consider incomplete applications. In case you have questions, please contact Mr. Quoc Pham at qpham@healtheffects.org. HEI will not contact references without informing the candidates.

Please include “Research Assistant 2023 Position” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin on June 15, 2023 with interviews starting June 21, 2023. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

Human Resources
Health Effects Institute
75 Federal Street, Suite 1400
Boston, MA 02110