Senior Policy & Research Associate

About Climate XChange

Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan organization focused on supporting the needs of state actors advancing climate policy. Our mission is to achieve a rapid and equitable transition towards a zero-emissions economy by advancing state climate policy. We achieve this through our State Climate Policy Network (SCPN), which provides free virtual support to over 15,000 state actors working to pass ambitious climate policy, and our State Climate Policy Dashboard (Dashboard).

The Dashboard is a leading data platform for up-to-date state climate policy information across all U.S. states and major climate sectors. It provides in-depth information on over 65 climate policies, with key resources, model rules, a state comparison tool, and other useful information for policy practitioners.

Position Summary

The Senior Policy & Research (P&R) Associate will work closely with the Policy & Research Manager to take on key responsibilities that support CXC’s Dashboard and research agenda as a part of the P&R team. This includes supporting the Dashboard’s maintenance and playing a critical role in staying on top of state-level climate policy developments, as well as helping implement long-term improvements to the tool.

Responsibilities

Track state climate policy data

• Accurately track state-level climate policies across the country to maintain an up-to-date landscape of state climate policy.
• Maintain CXC’s policy tracking platform, Quorum, working with a detailed tagging system to cover all Dashboard policies and related topics.
• Generate weekly summaries on policy developments and trends for the P&R team.
• Support drafting state and federal policy updates for CXC’s newsletter by identifying relevant updates.

Support the State Climate Policy Dashboard

• Compile and update policy information, resources, model rules, and relevant state examples for each policy on the Dashboard.
• Assist with the development of new content for the Dashboard, including additional layers of analysis, such as new policies, policy components, key policy opportunities, or policy implementation pages.
• Work with the Policy & Research Manager to update the Dashboard’s website on a biannual basis.
• Assist with the maintenance and improvement of the Dashboard website.

Conduct climate policy research to support CXC’s research agenda

• Support ongoing climate policy research projects and partnerships. Priorities in 2026 include data center regulation and modeling emissions impacts from Dashboard policies using the Energy Policy Simulator.
• Support research tasks related to custom SCPN assistance requests.
• Support the creation of educational content on emerging climate policies and trends for the SCPN, particularly building off the Dashboard team’s policy tracking expertise.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental or public policy, environmental science, political science, economics, or a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in climate and energy policy, public policy, state government, research and/or advocacy work.
  • In lieu of a related Bachelor’s degree or work experience, candidates may possess an advanced degree, such as a Law or Masters degree in environmental or public policy, environmental science, political science, economics, or a related field..
• Experience with climate policy, which may include topics such as governance & equity, electricity, buildings, transportation, industry, clean energy, or natural resources. Experience in state-level climate policy is highly desirable.
• Proficient policy literacy and ability to read and interpret legislative and regulatory text.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills, including public speaking on behalf of the organization.
• Excellent time management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong alignment with CXC values. We’re science-based, impact-driven, committed to justice, equity, and diversity, led by empathy, and collaborative.
• Strong self-starter and self-motivated.

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of state political landscape, and legislative and regulatory processes, and policymaking processes in the U.S. in general.
• Proven experience conducting applied environmental policy research.
• Experience with policy tracking and using a policy tracking software.
• Experience with policy and/or emissions modeling
• Experience working with and analyzing large datasets. Coding experience a plus.

Reports to: Policy & Research Manager

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation and Benefits: Total compensation for this position includes health and dental and vision benefits, professional development opportunities, generous paid time off and family and medical leave policies, 17 paid holidays, a technology stipend, and a flexible schedule. This position is fully remote with a salary range of $59,000 to $62,500, based on experience.

Location: This position is fully remote. Preferred candidates will live in one the following states: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. Exceptions can be made for outstanding candidates. Occasional travel may be required.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until February 25th or until an adequate candidate pool has been received.

Total compensation for this position includes health and dental and vision benefits, professional development opportunities, generous paid time off and family and medical leave policies, 17 paid holidays, a technology stipend, and a flexible schedule.