Public Policy Researcher (Waltham, MA; Reston, VA; Remote)

ICF's Regulatory, Policy and Economics portfolio supports primarily public-sector clients with research, analysis, technical assistance, and implementation support to help them address complex policy, management, and regulatory challenges. We provide innovative, accurate, timely, and high-quality analyses and support services. We estimate the environmental, safety, and social impacts of regulations, policies, and programs and assess their costs, benefits, and economic impacts. We also evaluate program effectiveness. We work with virtually all federal agencies and with state and local agencies, as well as select non-profit and private-sector clients. Our key clients include the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, Department of Interior, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This entry-level full-time position will be located in Waltham MA or Reston VA (fully remote also possible) and is available immediately.

Job Responsibilities:

As a public policy researcher, you will provide applied research and consulting services in support of a range of projects for federal, state & local, academic and non-profit clients in the energy, environment and planning domains. Through the application of quantitative and qualitative analyses, you will contribute to improving the effectiveness of regulatory and non-regulatory programs and assessing their environmental and economic impacts.

The bulk of your work will be on domestic policy issues. You will work in collaboration with other junior and senior staff within a multidisciplinary team that includes economists, urban planners, environmental scientists, and engineers. You will also have direct contact with clients and will contribute to expanding our business.

Specific duties may include:

• Reviewing and synthesizing information from literature, rulemaking support documents, or other technical reports.
• Collecting and analyzing data to inform policy decisions.
• Contributing to memoranda, technical background documents, and regulatory support documents. 
• Drafting report text that summarizes quantitative analysis.
• Performing quantitative and qualitative analyses characterizing market feasibility, economic impacts and other effects of regulations or policies.
• Interacting with other team members and clients to prepare and discuss ICF’s work products, develop the analysis methodology, and present interim or final results.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, economics, urban planning, geography, environmental policy or related field.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience using R (preferred) or other structured programming language for data analysis.
• Experience working with demographic and socioeconomic data.
• Experience working in a client-focused project-based consulting environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: economics; policy and regulatory analysis methods; urban planning, federal rulemaking process; federal environmental and natural resource regulations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong quantitative and policy analysis skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and balance work on multiple projects under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite of products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: