Senior Associate, Research, States' Public Sector Retirement Systems

The Pew Charitable Trusts
Washington - United States
S: DOE

The Organization:
The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew. Our work lays the foundation for effective policy solutions by informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause and insisting on tangible results. Our projects encourage efficient, responsive governments – at the local, state, national and international levels – serving the best interests of the people. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society. With offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Brussels and London and staff in other regions of the United States as well as Australia, Pew provides an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals. We are a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork with mutual respect.

Project Description
In the last several years, Pew's research on the enormous bill coming due for public sector retirement benefits has helped drive the issue to the top of states' policy agendas. More than 40 states have made modest reforms aimed at better managing the ballooning costs of pensions and retiree health care for their employees, but a growing number of policy makers want to explore comprehensive changes. Given the high stakes for states' budgets and workers, policy makers need trusted information and guidance to help them consider possible options, understand what is known about each, then make decisions based on the best available information, tailored to meet the needs of both government and employees. This project will work with states to examine their challenges and help policy makers consider implementing data-driven policies that result in affordable and fiscally sustainable retirement systems while maintaining states' ability to recruit and retain skilled workers. This project is currently funded by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and Pew. Specifically, the project will: Provide highly credible, independent, and nonpartisan research, including 50-state reports, to help answer critical questions about which policy actions are most cost effective and aid lawmakers in understanding workers' preferences. Provide selected states with customized technical assistance informed by tailored research. Engage influential stakeholders to build the support necessary to enact reform.

Position Overview:
The Senior Associate, Research, will help develop research and conduct outreach to policy makers and key stakeholders for Pew's project on States' Public Sector Retirement Systems. This position, based in Pew's Washington, D.C. office, will report to a Research Manager. The individual will be hired for an initial period through September 30, 2014, with the possibility of renewal, depending on the project's progress, ability to raise funds, and board deliberations. Research: Working collaboratively across a team of researchers, policy analysts, reporters, and communications professionals, help develop and implement research—including but not limited to 50-state assessments and state-specific analyses—on public sector retirement benefits. Contribute constructively at every stage of the project, including: Helping to coordinate research being conducted by team members and consultants. Conducting primary research, including empirical analysis, compilation and analysis of data sets, literature reviews, and interviews. Working with staff and consultants to identify data sources, and where existing data are not available, developing and implementing alternative data-collection plans. Identify limitations and opportunities presented by such data. Ensure data quality and rigor and appropriateness of all analyses. Accurately analyzing and communicating results through reports and other research products that are highly relevant to policy deliberations and easily understood by the public, media, and policy makers, often in collaboration with GP and Pew Communications staff and external writers and other consultants. Develop internal systems for data collection, analysis, and tracking: Coordinating the development of a collection of relevant research and datasets on public sector retirement benefits. Developing strategies for monitoring relevant developments on state pension and retiree health care systems and identifying key emerging trends. Gather information from the field and build internal knowledge and expertise by: Attending and reporting on conferences, trainings, and other professional development opportunities. Critically synthesizing information sources, including careful consideration of the limitations and opportunities presented by each. Building team expertise through internal memos and presentations. Outreach: Contribute to communication and outreach efforts by helping to facilitate internal and external partnerships, developing and executing programming and logistics for in-person and online convenings of policy makers and other key audiences, researching and writing Web-only content, developing talking points and presentations for senior staff, and conducting other tasks as assigned. Quality control: Contribute to a high level of quality and accuracy in GP' work by: Maintaining a constant commitment to accuracy in all work. Participating fully in GP' rigorous internal quality control process.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred. At least five years of professional experience conducting research projects with both quantitative and qualitative components aimed at informing and advancing effective public policy. Experience working on issues related to public sector retirement benefits a plus. Demonstrated skills in researching and analyzing public policy issues, including an ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue. Demonstrated ability to learn and master new issues quickly. Understanding of state budget and fiscal issues preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and/or Microsoft Access required, use of or strong familiarity with SPSS, Stata, and/or SAS preferred. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Clear, effective writing style. Able to develop and manage productive and collaborative relationships both internally and externally. Experience managing staff and/or consultants a plus. Ability to think strategically, critically, and creatively, juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time efficiently, remain attentive to details, and identify resources for projects. Demonstrated track record of delivering complex projects or project components on time and on budget. Ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to fit into a creative, fast-paced, and highly professional corporate culture which record of working both individually and as a member of a team to meet goals.

Travel
Occasional travel in the United States and to relevant national conferences expected. Pew is an equal opportunity employer.

Job summary