Associate I, Policy, Research & Analysis, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative

The Government Performance Portfolio

Pew’s government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.

The portfolio’s work can be traced back to our founders’ early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals.

Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions.

Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population.

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground.

We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change.

In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public.

Project Description

The substance use prevention and treatment initiative (SUPTI) works to develop and support policies that address substance use prevention and treatment.

The project provides direct technical assistance to states, territories, and other jurisdictions on how to improve access to evidence-based, high-quality treatment for people with substance use disorders and implement other strategies to reduce the number of overdose deaths.

The project also conducts federal and state advocacy to achieve its programmatic objectives. To inform this work, the project conducts and publishes research on evidence-based and emerging practices and maintains relationships with external experts and other stakeholders.

The team centers health equity in all our work. Staff come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds with policy, advocacy and research experience.

Position Overview

The associate I informs and influences public policy by providing research and programmatic support to achieve the goals of the project.

The associate I assists with analyzing policies that impact substance use prevention, treatment, and harm reduction access and delivery.

This role contributes to research projects, drafts and edits publications, develops subject matter expertise on emerging issues in substance use policy, and assists with stakeholder convenings and communications.

This position, based in Pew’s Washington, DC, office, reports to the associate manager, policy, research & analysis and will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.

Conduct background research and analyses of key policy and scientific issues related to substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery, and summarize this information.

Draft and update internal and public-facing resources, including fact sheets and infographics, based on research conducted.

Contribute to research and publication efforts, including conducting literature reviews, analyzing publicly available data, and drafting research summaries, policy analyses for assigned projects.

Support SUPTI members with ad-hoc assignments, initial drafts of work products, research projects and tasks, as well as broader Pew-wide projects as assigned.

Generate analyses to support state and federal policy objectives.

Help ensure the accuracy of products and publications through quality control and fact-check processes by coordinating with Pew’s research quality and support team.

Assist with events and convenings, including planning logistics, drafting stakeholder communications, and notetaking.

Contribute to and participate in tasks of the project and department as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects and committees as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

Generally, one year of applicable professional experience, including demonstrated research, analytical, writing, and fact-checking skills.

Strong research, analytic, and writing skills, including the capacity to synthesize large amounts of information and identify themes, and conduct basic data analysis in Excel and a software package such as STATA, R, or SAS.

Aptitude to comprehend and assess study design, methodology, and research findings and effectively communicate research results and limitations to lay and scientific audiences.

Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.

Demonstrated time management skills, including meeting multiple deadlines. Experience setting priorities and identifying resources.

Capacity to independently execute tasks under the direction and support of the associate manager.

Works professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate culture that emphasizes excellence and teamwork.

Strong systems skills including Microsoft Office products required.

Travel

This position requires occasional domestic travel to meetings and conferences.

Salary Range

$63,800 USD - $71,300 USD

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay.

The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

• We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including : comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage;
• financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts;

retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work / life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military / veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.