POLICY & RESEARCH FELLOW
CENTER FOR WORKLIFE LAW
Classification: Level 1 / Class Code 2038 / Exempt / Full Time / Benefited
Hiring Salary Range: $60,000 (or commensurate with qualifications)
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR WORKLIFE LAW
The Center for WorkLife Law, housed at the University of California, Hastings Law, is one of the nation's leading nonprofit and research organizations devoted to advancing gender and racial equity in the workplace and in education. WorkLife Law's current initiatives include:
- Bias Interrupters, an innovative metrics-based approach to workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- Impact advocacy to eliminate employment discrimination against family caregivers;
- Research on how gender bias differs by race and research on bias in STEM and other industries;
- The Pregnant at Work initiative to provide pregnant and lactating employees and their healthcare providers with critical information to prevent workplace discrimination, with a focus on the needs of the most marginalized workers;
- The Pregnant Scholar initiative to eliminate discrimination against pregnant and parenting students to advance racial, gender, and class equity in education;
- The Dar a Luz: Legal Rights for Farmworkers in Pregnancy and Postpartum initiative to make paid leave and accommodations available for farmworkers who seek to avoid exposure to toxic pesticides during pregnancy and breastfeeding; and,
- The COVID-19 initiative to support the economic security and health of vulnerable workers by helping them understand and access their rights to leave, income replacement, and job security during the pandemic (to learn more about some of the workers we assist, see our recent New York Times Op-Ed).
THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Policy and Research Fellowship cultivates promising new scholars and advocates interested in careers in sociology, organizational psychology, public policy, and/or law. Working under the supervision of the Center for WorkLife Law's Director, Deputy Director, and SVP of Strategy and Research, the Fellow will conduct policy and social science research and writing on implicit bias, diversity, workplace discrimination against family caregivers, and related topics. The Fellow will also work closely with the Research Director to design and implement surveys and interventions within organizations to measure and mitigate implicit bias, analyze workplace data, write reports and articles, and disseminate key research findings that will be used to advance gender and racial equity. The Fellow will translate existing research into practical and easily-implementable tools to inform organizations and individuals on how to interrupt bias. The Fellow will be responsible for staying informed about social science and popular culture developments on gender and racial bias in the workplace to identify new research and writing opportunities.
Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:
- RESEARCH – Conduct social science and public policy research on organizational bias, gender, and race discrimination, workplace diversity, fair scheduling, and bias against family caregivers. Stay abreast of new and ongoing research in the field.
- WRITING – Co-author written materials, which may include articles, blogs, memos, reports, and books with Center directors and other staff.
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT – Strategize, organize, and implement new or developing projects under the supervision of the Center's directors. The Fellow will work closely with WorkLife Law staff members and key external stakeholders to coordinate Center-led projects.
- GRANT MANAGEMENT – Work with Center directors and fundraising consultant to write grant applications and reports, and to track reportable metrics.
- OUTREACH – Coordinate the press and outreach strategies for major Center report releases, research findings, and other developments.
- WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA – Work with administrative team to maintain, edit, and update Center websites. Work with social media team to create infographics and videos promoting the Center's projects.
- ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT – Perform administrative duties as needed, such as proof-reading, editing PowerPoint presentations, scheduling meetings, and covering calendaring and general office functions when Program Associate is out of the office on vacation or sick leave.
- PUBLIC SPEAKING – Depending on abilities and experience, may have opportunity to make public presentations or speak with the media.
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree with strong academic record (degree in gender studies, race and ethnic studies, psychology, sociology, or a related field is a plus); Master's degree in a relevant field is a plus.
- Two to five years of work experience or post-graduate education;
- Demonstrated excellence in persuasive writing, including writing with an academic tone, as well as the ability to generate clear and engaging text for lay audiences;
- Experience conducting substantive research is a plus;
- Proven track record of high performance within an office or other work environment (experience in non-profit or academic setting is a plus);
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Familiarity, which may include lived experience expertise, with the challenges facing people of color and women in the workplace and society at large.
- Excellence in writing and editing, for scholarly, professional, business, and lay audiences;
- Excellence in academic and practical research;
- Ability to credibly, clearly, professionally, and reliably communicate with colleagues and individuals inside and outside of the organization – both orally and in writing;
- Impeccable attention to detail;
- Keen sense of judgment and tact;
- Ability to manage multiple assignments from different supervisors at once and prioritize work appropriately in a deadline-driven environment;
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook), Twitter, LinkedIn, and ability to pick up other software and applications quickly;
- Knowledge of WordPress or similar web design program and/or experience managing social media is a plus;
- Desire to take initiative and ownership over projects;
- Flexible, can-do attitude, and willingness to wear multiple hats;
- Commitment to gender, racial, and class equity and workers' rights.
BENEFITS
HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Employee Assistance Program
FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE
- Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
- University of California Retirement Plan (a defined benefit plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs
FOR YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE
- Fifteen paid holidays per year
- Generous vacation and sick leave
- Commuter Benefits Program
THE HIRING PROCESS
Failure to provide the information as required on the application form including attaching a cover letter and a resume shall immediately disqualify an applicant from employment consideration.
Please Note: **This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Depending on the quality and number of the applications received, only the better qualified applicants may be contacted for an interview. THE POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED.
The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.
UC Hastings College of the Law is an equal opportunity employer. UC Hastings strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Hastings College of the Law is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.