Environmental Planning and Policy Specialist

Job no: 500182
Work type: Full-Time
Location: Center City – Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Academy of Natural Sciences

About the Academy 

The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812 for “the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences”.  Since then, it has sponsored global expeditions, conducted pioneering environmental and systematics research, and amassed remarkable collections containing more than 18 million specimens from around the world and a peerless library and archive. Since 2011 its academic enterprise has been further strengthened through its affiliation with nearby Drexel University – a leading private non-profit research institution that focusses on innovation and entrepreneurship and provides a unique cooperative education program for its undergraduate and graduate degree students.   

Today the Academy is one of the most important natural science institutions in the world. However, the world is changing fast and the Academy – directed by its Strategic Plan 2019-24 – is changing with it.  Over the next five years the Academy will become a “force for nature” and advance its mission: “to understand the natural world and inspire everyone to care for it”. In so doing the Academy will build on its fundamental belief that diversity and inclusion generates better ideas, inspires creativity, and is essential to building a positive workplace so that in time it can become an institution that is of, by and for all Philadelphians. 

Job Summary

The Academy’s Patrick Center for Environmental Research has been devoted to understanding, protecting, and restoring the health of watersheds since 1947. It consists of a multidisciplinary group of environmental scientists and engineers focused on understanding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and applying this knowledge to assess ecosystem health and develop watershed-level strategies for enhancing environmental quality. The Patrick Center also works with diverse stakeholders, including government, community groups, industry, and environmental organizations to improve environmental stewardship.

Within the Patrick Center, the Environmental Planning, Policy, and Innovation Section conducts problem-centric research that aims to generate useful scientific knowledge; advises and collaborates with public decision-makers, including elected officials and regulators, planners, and resource managers; oversees the design and implementation of complex environmental projects that bridge science, policy, and a range of stakeholders.

The Environmental Planning and Policy Scientist will work closely with the EPPI Section Lead on the portfolio of projects housed within EPPI, provide project management support, and assist in the development of new proposals for projects that span environmental planning, research (both traditional and action-research), and evaluation. Current projects have local and regional foci, and center issues of environmental and climate justice in Philadelphia and the Delaware River Basin, with an emphasis on spatial analysis.

Essential Functions 

• Collaborate with the Environmental Data Science Section to co-lead GIS/spatial analysis component of existing projects
• Oversee the management of section projects, including leading internal and external partners, monitoring project process and timelines, addressing issues as they arise, managing project grants/contracts, and supporting grant reporting and project evaluation.
• support research and writing for white papers and peer reviewed publications.
• Identify new project opportunities and help craft proposals
• Collaborate with other PCER sections, such as the Environmental Data Science Section, and ANS departments, such as the new Community Learning Division, on new and existing projects/proposals of relevance to EPPI
• Collaborate, where appropriate, with Drexel’s new Environmental Collaboratory.
• Represent EPPI in internal and external meetings and conferences, as appropriate.
• Conduct other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications 

• Master’s degree is required in Environmental planning, policy, environmental spatial analysis, or related field
• Minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience, including experience in geographic information systems, web mapping, and spatial analyses.

Physical Demands 

• Typically sitting at a desk/table.

Location 

Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information 

This position is classified as an Exempt with a salary grade of J. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure,

https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.  

Special Instructions to the Applicant 

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. 

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Dec 19 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Jan 19 2023 Eastern Standard Time

ABOUT DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.