Center for Labor and Community Research Specialist

Position overview

Position title: Center for Labor and Community Research Specialist (Assistant Specialist - Specialist)

Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience (see section D. Qualifications of the CAPM 602.230 Specialist Series). The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, Represented Specialist Series Fiscal Year. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $59,200 - $86,900.

Percent time: Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications.

Position duration: Initial appointment will be for a minimum of two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: August 23, 2023

Next review date: Friday, Sep 22, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Aug 22, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Center Overview The Center for Labor and Community (CLC) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a policy research specialist who will report to the CLC Program Director.

The Center for Labor and Community is dedicated to the study of working people, the labor movement, and the challenges of the rapidly-changing economy as it impacts working families and their communities in California and beyond. Our goals are to provide research, policy analysis and public and educational programming on labor, employment, and housing issues that support workers and their families, particularly those in low-income communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color on the California Central Coast.

CLC is expanding its capacity and scope of research, particularly in collaboration with community and labor organizations. The policy research specialist will conduct policy-relevant research with a particular focus on low-wage work, and addressing a diverse set of policies that affect working families, young workers, tenants and low-income homeowners, immigrants, and communities of color. Methods of research can be quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a new and growing center that brings together a team of researchers, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students producing rigorous, high-impact and high-visibility research in close collaboration with local labor and community organizations.

Position Responsibilities

In collaboration with the center's faculty director and program director, the specialist will contribute to the production of original academic, policy-related research of significance to both unionized and non- unionized workers and working families.

Design and implement research using the following methods: Quantitative research, including statistical analyses drawing on government datasets, academic survey research, private housing data, and industry trade data; Qualitative research, including field interviews, focus groups, and analysis of secondary sources.

Provide technical assistance to stakeholders, policy makers, media and internal staff on issues related to low-wage work, labor standards, occupational health and safety, and other labor and employment topics as well as on qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Coordinate research with academic researchers on other UC Campuses.

Serve as co-author on research reports and policy briefs and contribute to the drafting of op-eds and public testimony.

Contribute to the drafting of funding proposals for research projects.

Applicants with any of the following areas of expertise or experience are strongly encouraged to apply:

Experience conducting labor market analyses of wages and other job quality outcomes, the role of race, gender and immigration status, and firm and industry dynamics.

Strong quantitative skills and experience in working with large government datasets such as the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey, as well as strong STATA, SAS and/or R programming skills.

Strong qualitative skills and experience conducting interviews with a range of stakeholders, focus groups, and analysis of secondary sources.

Strong grounding in labor standards policies in the US.

Strong writing skills, geared toward policy research reports, as well as effective verbal communication skills.

Experience working in culturally diverse settings with academic researchers and stakeholders such as members of unions, worker centers, community organizations, policy advocacy organizations, and others.

Ability to work independently and creatively, contribute to and track the progress of multiple, simultaneous research projects with minimal supervision.

PhD and/or ten or more years of professional experience, with relevant contributions to public policy and academic research.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Center for Labor and Community : https: // labor.ucsc.edu

Institute for Social Transformation : https: // transform.ucsc.edu

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Master's degree, or a bachelor's degree plus a minimum of two years' professional research experience that was obtained post baccalaureate degree. Degree must be in a social science field that is relevant to the advertised position (e.g., sociology, labor economics, industrial relations, geography, etc.). Equivalent foreign degrees will be considered.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Statement of Research - This statement should be a one-two page summary of the candidate's research interests and experience.

Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement addressing your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review guidelines on statements before preparing their application.

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at https:// apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

Apply link: https: // recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01598

Help contact: [email protected]

Campus Information

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https: // www. uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https: // apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at [email protected] (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https: // www. hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https: // ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https: // www. ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, California