Research Environmental Scientist

About the Hiring Group

RTI International’s Center for Water, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Solutions (WARES) is seeking an experienced Applied Research Specialist to lead and support qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and communications addressing environmental and natural resource challenges. The position will contribute to projects involving water resources, agriculture, energy, climate resilience, natural hazards, and environmental risk communication. The ideal candidate will have strong research, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to translate stakeholder needs and complex information into actionable insights and recommendations.

The candidate will contribute across the project lifecycle, including research design, qualitative data collection and analysis, stakeholder and community engagement, human-centered design, communication strategy, development and evaluation of decision-support tools and communication products, project and task management, proposal development, client management, and strategic business development.

The position is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, with telecommuting options. Candidates do not need experience in every area listed below. RTI offers opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, develop innovative approaches to complex challenges, and translate research into practical applications.

What You'll Do

Candidates should demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:

• Designing and conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research, including interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, surveys, and other methods for understanding stakeholder perspectives and needs
• Analyzing and synthesizing qualitative information through thematic coding, systems mapping, and related approaches, and integrating qualitative and quantitative data, to identify patterns and generate actionable recommendations
• Designing and implementing stakeholder and community engagement strategies using human-centered design, co-creation, participatory research, and workshop facilitation
• Translating complex scientific and technical information into accessible reports and compelling visualizations, decision graphics, presentations, and digital content for diverse audiences
• Leading research tasks and multidisciplinary project teams, including coordinating staff and partners; managing schedules, budgets, deliverables, and quality assurance; and communicating with clients in writing, meetings, and presentations
• Supporting business development through opportunity identification, proposal strategy and writing, partner engagement, and cultivation of research, funding opportunities, and client relationships
• Building collaborative relationships across disciplines, organizations, and stakeholder groups to advance research, develop innovative solutions, and proactively solve problems

Preferred experience includes:

• Stakeholder and community engagement related to climate action, climate resilience and adaptation, environmental planning, or natural resource management
• Qualitative research and analysis, including for time-sensitive and multi-faceted research projects
• Flood warning communication, natural hazards risk communication, and/or research involving emergency managers, weather forecasters, and other operational decision makers
• Research-to-operations, implementation research, and/or evaluation of how scientific information, forecasts, and decision-support tools are interpreted, communicated, adopted, and used in decision-making
• Collaboration with government agencies, academic institutions, community organizations, and other partners on multidisciplinary research initiatives, including peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, white papers, and research

What You'll Need

Minimum required qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience, master’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant fields include Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Communications, Public Policy, Behavioral Science, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, or research communication in environmental, natural resources, public health, or related fields
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• A collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Strategic thinking and creativity in connecting ideas, identifying opportunities, and developing approaches to complex challenges
• Excellent written and verbal communication, active listening, facilitation, and communication with diverse audiences
• Initiative and independence in executing research, leading project activities, and developing new work and partnerships
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to evolving needs, and maintain high standards of quality and reliability
• Curiosity and willingness to learn and apply new scientific concepts, methods, technologies, and approaches
• A high level of self-discernment and commitment to quality

Additional preference: Flexibility for domestic and international travel.

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Hiring Salary Range

$94,000 - $116,000