Research Specialist C, The Water Center

Research Specialist C, The Water Center

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in
Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,
and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks
among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World
Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide
opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,
all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to
scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked
nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes
who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of
Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban
campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and
recreational activities. With its historical significance and
landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of
atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for
work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes
excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their
families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of
professional development opportunities, supportive work and family
benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources,
and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Specialist C, The Water Center

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist C

Job Description Summary

The Water Center Research Specialist, reporting to the Director of
Applied Research and Policy, will play a central role in leading
and executing the Center's applied research and policy initiatives.
This position is responsible for designing and advancing research
projects, producing high-impact analytical and communications
deliverables, and translating complex water infrastructure and
policy issues into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.
The Specialist will work closely with Water Center staff and
collaborators across Penn to drive interdisciplinary efforts and
extend the reach and impact of the Center's work. Graduate-level
training or equivalent subject matter expertise in environmental
policy, water resources, or environmental studies is required. This
is a hybrid position, with an expectation of three days per week in
the Water Center offices.

Job Description

The Water Center at Penn is a community focused research
center working to find integrated solutions to the challenges
facing water systems and watersheds. We strive to be a trusted,
reliable partner whose work accelerates water equity.

DUTIES:

Lead applied research projects from design to delivery, including
writing reports, developing surveys and interviews, creating
public-facing materials, and presenting to stakeholders.

Conduct research on water infrastructure technical assistance and
emerging water policy challenges by collecting, analyzing, and
interpreting data and evaluating relevant policies across drinking
water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.

Conduct research on emerging contaminant policy by collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting data and evaluating the impacts of
existing policies.

Collaborate with the Communications Manager, Penn partners, and
external stakeholders, including utilities, government agencies,
and nonprofit organizations, to translate research into strategic
communications, inform policy and practice, and support
interdisciplinary initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of experience, or equivalent
combination of education and experience, is required. A Master's
degree is preferred. Should have education or experience in
environmental policy, water resources, environmental studies,
environmental engineering and/or water system management.

Experience conducting applied research, including designing surveys
or interviews, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and
synthesizing findings to inform policy or technical
assistance.

Strong written and verbal communications skills, with the ability
to translate complex water infrastructure topics into clear,
accessible materials for diverse audiences across reports,
presentations, and digital content.

Demonstrated experience in water systems management and community
water infrastructure preferred.

For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a
resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload
multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $67,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,
experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the
requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges
based on external market data for the job's level. Internal
organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is
made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the
requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn

offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health,
dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your
family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending
accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care
expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition

benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get
tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also
eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to

help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and
Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a
pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment
options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a

substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the
year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal
affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with
family-whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth

Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family
members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the
costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community
or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you
won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to
underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always
provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to

supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing
demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide
variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,
your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an

array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and
professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,

you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as
cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the
University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our
arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at
Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest
music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn
Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member
of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the
excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these
activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and

entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great
deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and
cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission
and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy
substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars
from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie
tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer

creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance
between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use
of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job
structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable

loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or
currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for
closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible

employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal
adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up
to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3600-Market-Street/Research-Specialist-C--The-Water-Center_JR00129583

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