Research Associate

Public Agenda

Part time with the possibility to transition to full time. 

March 2020

Public Agenda is a nonpartisan research and public engagement organization dedicated to strengthening democracy and expanding opportunity for all Americans. Based in Brooklyn, NY and founded in 1975 by Dan Yankelovich and Cyrus Vance, Public Agenda believes that a strong democracy requires informed citizens, engaged communities, productive public conversations, and policies that reflect the public’s concerns and values. Through nonpartisan research and public engagement, we work to make these essentials a reality while fostering progress on the issues people care about most, particularly those that are needed to expand opportunity for all Americans.

Public Agenda’s research department conducts quantitative and qualitative public opinion research.  We focus primarily on K-12 education, higher education, health care, democratic reform and civic engagement. We conduct occasional projects on topics such as immigration, climate resilience and criminal justice. We use methodologies including surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews. We are also building new expertise in media analysis. The research department works closely with the communications department to disseminate findings from our studies to policymakers, journalists, institutional leaders and other stakeholders.    

We seek a highly motivated, collaborative researcher who is interested in joining our team in New York City. This position reports to the Director of Research. As part of the research team, the research associate will be involved in all phases of our public opinion research and other studies. This is a part-time position with the possibility to transition to full time.  

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: 

• Conducting background research, including literature reviews and reviews of recent public opinion polling
• Overseeing research logistics including organizing focus groups and coordinating transcriptions
• Assisting with development of research instruments, including survey questions, focus group guides and interview questions  
• Conducting in-depth individual interviews with various populations, including with experts
• Assisting with qualitative and quantitative data analysis using programs such as Excel, SPSS or other statistical software packages like Dedoose or NVIVO
• Participating in writing reports, proposals and presentations.
• Collaborating with Public Agenda’s communications team on the production and dissemination of reports and presentations 
• Writing blog posts and other short summaries to share our research findings
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned

Occasional domestic travel may be required 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a social science field with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience OR: Master’s degree in a social science.
• Understanding of when to apply different research methodologies and some experience utilizing different methodologies, particularly surveys 
• Experience conducting individual interviews and ability to effectively engage individuals of diverse backgrounds  
• Ability to analyze qualitative data, preferably as collected through focus groups or interviews 
• Comfort with descriptive statistical analysis and familiarity with some advanced statistical analysis using SPSS or other software
• Strong Excel skills and experience creating charts and graphs
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, including writing and presentation skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, persistent and resourceful
• Able to coordinate schedules and logistics across multiple simultaneous projects
• Intellectual curiosity, a sense of humor and ability to work with a diverse team on a range of topics
• Interest in K-12 education, higher education, health care, democratic reform or civic engagement
• A strong interest in Public Agenda’s mission and a comfort level working in a nonpartisan (as opposed to an advocacy) organization.

Please submit a resume, cover letter and research-relevant writing sample (as one PDF) to Roslyn Beck at rbeck@publicagenda.org. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Our organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity in the workplace.  We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. 

Director of Communications

Public Agenda is a national, nonpartisan research and public engagement organization dedicated to strengthening democracy and expanding opportunity in America. Based in New York City and founded in 1975 by Dan Yankelovich and Cyrus Vance, Public Agenda fosters progress on democracy reform, K-12 and higher education, health care, immigration, and many other issues important to the American public.

Areas of responsibility include strategic communications planning, brand stewardship, development and execution of communications campaigns, media relations, publication production management and dissemination, social media management, service and product marketing, and writing and editing. The Director of Communications reports to the President, coordinates closely with the Director of Development on development goals and strategies, and coordinates closely with senior program staff on program communications needs and goals. S/he also manages a part-time Communications Associate, interns and communications consultants.  

Necessary experience and skills:

• At least five+ years of organizational communications experience, at least two in the nonprofit sector at a senior level
• Exceptional project management and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience and aptitude supervising and developing staff and managing a team
• Skilled at collaborating with content experts, and supporting senior spokespeople
• Website and social media expertise
• Commitment to Public Agenda’s nonpartisan orientation and mission

Helpful experience and skills:

• Ability to describe complex policy issues clearly and accurately for diverse audiences
• Experience with one or more of the issues that Public Agenda works on and a quick study to get up to speed on others as needed
• Established media relationships relevant to Public Agenda’s work
• Experience with donor development, events and grant writing

Public Agenda offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity in the workplace.

Location:

Public Agenda

Brooklyn Navy Yard

1 Dock 72 Way # 6101

Brooklyn, NY 11205-1242

To Apply:

Send a resume, writing sample and cover letter explaining how you heard about this opportunity and what you hope to gain from working at Public Agenda to careers@publicagenda.org. Please indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Communications Director position.

Environmental Requirements:

• This is not a physically demanding position
• Must be able to sit at a desk for the majority of the work day
• Regularly stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during workday
• Employee must be able to meet deadlines, arrive to work on-time, complete paperwork, follow directions and work as a member of a team

• May need to travel for conferences or other events from time to time

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Our organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity in the workplace.  We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

Associate Director for Public Engagement 

As part of the Public Engagement (PE) team, your primary role will be to manage the day-to-day work of the team, help design and track the team’s technical assistance work, and communicate with Public Agenda’s research and communications teams. You will lead projects on a regular basis, supervise the development of junior team members, assist efforts to bring in new grants and contracts, and help measure and guide the continuous improvement of the team. This position reports directly to the Director of Public Engagement and is based in the Public Agenda office in Brooklyn. 

Your primary responsibilities would be:

• • Project management – help design and implement work plans, budgets and timelines, manage partner relationships, execute project deliverables, track project resources and tasks using our management software (Monday.com), and write reports and memos. 
  • Technical assistance design – help the PE team further develop our approach to technical assistance by gathering tools and resources, developing plans and timelines for in-person and remote interactions with partners, setting goals and benchmarks, exploring new ways to incorporate equity principles in our work, and gathering and analyzing data on public engagement efforts. 
  • Provide technical assistance and trainings – assist our partners with their engagement activities including coalition-building, strategic planning, pre-engagement research, and the customization of engagement tools and materials.
  • Team management – oversee the work of junior team members, help measure and guide the continuous improvement of the team, and coordinate shared work with Public Agenda’s research and communications teams.
• Facilitate small- and large-group dialogue – work with partners to manage field logistics and participant recruitment, develop agendas and session materials, produce events, lead and record conversations, and help participants identify common ground and clarify conflicts and reach agreement for action

Necessary experience and skills: 6+ years of experience in public/community engagement

• Excellent project management
• ‘People person’ with proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to Public Agenda’s nonpartisan mission

Helpful experience and skills, but not required:

• Project development and grant writing
• Spanish

Public Agenda offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience, and includes an excellent benefits package. 

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity in the workplace. 

Send a resume, writing sample and cover letter explaining how you heard about this opportunity and what you hope to gain from working at Public Agenda to careers@publicagenda.org. Please indicate in the subject line that you are applying for Associate Director of Public Engagement.

Environmental Requirements:

• This is not a physically demanding position
• Must be able to sit at a desk for the majority of the work day
• Regularly stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during workday
• Employee must be able to meet deadlines, arrive to work on-time, complete paperwork, follow directions and work as a member of a team
• Regular travel is required in this position. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Our organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity in the workplace.  We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.