Research Support Specialist, Climate Jobs Institute - NYC

This position is located in New York, NY, within the ILR School located at 570 Lexington Avenue.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University has an immediate opening for a Research Support Specialist - Research Support Specialist C06 in the Climate Jobs Institute in the Extension/Outreach Division with a focus on the intersection of labor, employment, and climate change.

Our Team:

The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University's ILR School is guiding New York's and the nation's transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality union jobs, which cultivates and develops inclusive and equitable working relationships.

Through cutting-edge policy research, deep relationships with on-the-ground partners, and innovative training and education programs, the Institute provides the information that policymakers, the labor and environmental movements, industry leaders and others need to navigate this historic transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The Climate Jobs Institute serves as the academic and educational partner to the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, providing research, policy and educational support to coalitions of unions in numerous U.S. states.

What You'll Do as a Research Support Specialist

As aResearch Support Specialistat the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI), you'll play a key role in supporting our research and policy work focused on climate, labor, and equity. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys digging into complex topics, collaborating with others, and making a real-world impact.

Here's what your work will involve but not limited to:

• Research & Writing: You'll contribute to and lead research projects-writing reports, analyzing policies, and reviewing literature. You'll also help gather and analyze data from fieldwork, archives, and other sources.
• Legal & Policy Analysis: You'll use tools like Lexis, Westlaw, and PowerSuite to research legal and regulatory issues in areas like labor, energy, and employment law. Your findings will help shape policy recommendations at the local, state, and national levels.
• Collaboration & Support: You'll work closely with CJI faculty, staff, and ILR students, and help mentor undergraduate fellows. You'll also support educational programs by preparing materials and presentations.
• Public Engagement: You'll attend and present at conferences, workshops, and public events. You may also help write media articles and edit grant proposals to support our communications and funding efforts.

A full job description is available upon request. Please email Brenda L. Herrling at blp27@cornell.edu.

This is a term, full-time, bargaining unit position that falls under the NYC ILR Extension exempt CWA contract.

The position is for up to a two-year term, with an initial term ending June 30, 2026. The term will automatically renew for the second year through June 30, 2027, contingent upon available funding. Reappointment for additional terms is possible based on successful performance, available work and continued funding.

The position is based in Cornell University, New York City ILR Extension office located at 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022.

More information about the ILR School can be obtained at our web site, http://www.ilr.cornell.edu and Climate Jobs Institute at https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/climate-jobs-institute

What we need:

• Bachelor's degree and two to four years of relevant experience, education, or equivalent combination.
• Experience conducting legal research and analysis in a law firm, legal department, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated ability to write research reports/manuscripts for publication using appropriate style guides.
• Extensive experience with editing documents and research reports for publication.
• Ability to prepare presentations, create slides, and craft documents for educational programs and trainings.
• Experience in translating research/evaluation and complex concepts for a general audience.
• Ability to work on multidisciplinary teams, providing creative and critical independent thinking while also considering diverse opinions and approaches.
• Experience or internship working with unions, labor boards, or academic labor programs.
• Experience with internet, Lexis/Westlaw, and library searches.
• Good familiarity with many of the following areas including labor unions, especially building trade and energy sector unions, worker organizing and collective bargaining contracts, climate protection and clean energy policy, renewable energy and other low-carbon economic sectors, low-wage precarious work and inequality, and union and worker training programs.
• Must be able to manage multiple competing deadlines and be flexible with changing work priorities.
• Capable of working independently for long stretches of time with limited supervision.
• Capable of working in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, telephone and public presentation skills.
• Advanced experience with preparing, creating, and transforming academic citations in multiple formats such as APA, MLA, and Bluebook.
• Experience and skill using and learning different software packages and web-based tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Zoom or videoconferencing software, Lexis Nexis, library databases, and Qualtrics).
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Master's or advanced degree in public policy, law, labor relations, or related discipline.
• Prior experience working in climate change, labor, or policy communication.
• Four to five years of experience in research and/or program evaluation environment.
• Experience working in a team environment, providing collaborative input, and contributing support to creative database projects.
• Ability to manage large datasets and extrapolate from data for use in public policy analysis.
• Knowledge of the construction industry, public sector procurements, or union organizing.
• Extensive knowledge of the offshore wind industry including the manufacturing supply chain, emerging clean energy technologies, New York state public policy on climate and offshore wind, and labor standards for renewable and clean energy projects.
• Research experience with reviewing and examining collective bargaining agreements.
• Capability to perform public policy research and understand the decision-making and law-making process of multiple states, federal, and international contexts.
• Knowledge of Canva and InDesign is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Spanish (or other foreign languages).

Salary per CWA exempt bargaining unit contract: $64,350 through June 30, 2025.

ILR School appreciates employees by providing the opportunity for 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule.

If interested in applying, we welcome you to include a cover letter and resume with your application to highlight your interest and experience for the position.

No sponsorship for an employment visa is available for this position. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

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• Unique applicable skills

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