Research & Data Assistant

The Commonwealth Institute is looking to expand its analytical capacity by adding a

Research and Data Assistant to our team. You’ll learn how to produce credible, timely,

and accessible analysis on important issues facing Virginia and, in doing so, help improve

the lives of people in Virginia statewide.

Who We Are

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (TCI) advances racial and economic justice

in Virginia by advocating for public policies designed in partnership with people most

impacted, and shaped by credible, accessible fiscal and policy research. TCI’s vision is that,

in the coming years, people of color and people with low incomes have used their power to

build new, inclusive systems of justice and opportunity in Virginia.

TCI respects, values, and celebrates the attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that

make each person unique. Bringing diverse individuals together allows TCI and allies to

collectively and more effectively address the issues that face Virginia communities. TCI

further recognizes that we live and work in a society that is structured by racism and white

privilege, both of which adversely impact communities of color. It is one of TCI's core values

that its organizational culture, staff, partners, strategies, and investments advance racial

justice within and beyond the organization.

Throughout its 20 year history, TCI has amassed an impressive record of achievements,

including being a central player in the successful efforts to connect people with low

incomes to health care through Medicaid expansion, boost the minimum wage, protect and

strengthen the state Earned Income Tax Credit, expand immigrant rights, improve Virginia’s

K-12 education funding system, reform costly tax breaks, and reform policies that lead to

the criminalization of poverty in the state.

What You’ll Do

• Make real progress on challenging policy issues by conducting quantitative research

and analysis, tracking budget and legislative proposals, helping to identify solid

policy recommendations, and equipping diverse stakeholders to understand and

use these recommendations to advance their work

• Explain your findings to the public, policymakers, and other advocates by crafting

blog posts, reports, op-eds, infographics, data visualizations, and similar materials in

conjunction with other TCI staff members

What We’re Looking For

• A Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, public policy, sociology, or a

related field, or comparable professional experience

• Experience in using research skills/methods or data analysis to examine a complex

policy issue

• The ability to produce polished, accurate, and context-aware work
• Experience communicating complex quantitative data through data visualization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage follow-through across multiple projects
• The ability to meet deadlines and, when necessary, adjust plans to account for

changing conditions

• The ability to take ownership of outcomes and not simply completing tasks
• The ability to maintain a constructive approach that moves work forward
• The ability to ask questions to build understanding of impact and context
• A passion for improving the lives of people in Virginia with low incomes and

communities of color, tempered by the understanding that policy progress rarely

happens overnight and takes collaboration

• A team player with a strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice

TCI provides generous benefits including comprehensive health care, dental, and vision

coverage; generous vacation leave; and a retirement plan with organizational matching

contributions.

We also support and provide opportunities for professional development and growth.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is within a collective bargaining unit represented by

a recognized staff union, TCI United (NPEU).