Staff Scientist--Pesticide Alternatives

Company/Organization: Pesticide Action Network North America
Location: downtown San Francisco, CA
Deadline for Application: August 30, 2011

General Job Description

Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) is seeking an articulate, organized and hard-working candidate to join their team as a Staff Scientist. The primary role of this Staff Scientist will be to manage and develop PANNA’s Grassroots Science Program. This position combines technical and scientific expertise with communications, community engagement, and campaigning. You’ll therefore need to be committed both to doing good science and to building public will for systems change. The ideal candidate will be math and tech savvy, a good writer and researcher, a strategic thinker, and thrive on learning new things while turning out deliverables on deadline. A portion of this position involves working with communities on participatory action research projects; good people skills are therefore a must. The ability to write scientific reports as well as crisp, compelling prose/copy and serve as a spokesperson are likewise required for this position.

PANNA is looking for someone who wants to work in a team and who enjoys the dynamic of a fast-paced organization where everyone works respectfully across a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. Graduate training can be in toxicology, chemistry, public health, environmental science or another related field with strong math and science underpinnings; what matters is being able to decipher data, read a study with an eye to its methodological strengths and weaknesses, and bring to bear your expertise. The future employee is also expected to be able to build strong, productive relationships with organizations of people on the front lines of pesticide exposure: farm families, farm workers, concerned parents from many backgrounds, Indigenous nations, and others. Familiarity with, and passion around issues of sustainable agriculture and/or environmental health and justice are ideal.

Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience, with generous benefits. Reports to the Co-director, Program and Communications.

Responsibilities:

Grassroots Science program planning and administration

o Working together with community groups, design and implement environmental and community monitoring projects that both document the scope and magnitude of pesticide exposure and build community capacity to advocate for better pesticide policy and practice
o Ensure that monitoring samples and data are analyzed rigorously, with the most appropriate and unimpeachable scientific methods
o Ensure that monitoring results are assessed and written up in a timely fashion and in a way that advances campaign priorities
o Manage a budget, supplies and equipment, and vendor/lab relationships
o Participate in strategic planning and evaluation
o Engage in fund-raising as directed by development colleagues

Advocacy writing and spokesperson

o Track and get up to speed on issues and bodies of research as needed
o Serve as a media spokesperson and expert
o Write weekly or bi-weekly blog posts, OpEds or other thought pieces in response to opportunities to change the public conversation on our issues
o Produce issue briefs, reports, technical comments and other advocacy materials in collaboration with campaign and communications colleagues

Campaign coordination

o Work with program teams and partner organizations to win policy change
o Partner with PANNA’s community organizer to ensure that Grassroots Science monitoring projects advance campaign objectives and build community power
o Track and participate in issue networks, coalitions and governmental agency stakeholder groups

Qualifications:

· Education: Graduate degree in a relevant scientific field is required;
· Experience:
o 3+ years of post-baccalaureate research or academic training in a related field
o At least 1 year of teaching, organizing or community-interfacing work experience
o Prior professional experience working in a nonprofit setting or on an issue campaign preferred
· Excellent verbal and writing skills, including the ability to translate technical information to lay terms that inspire action
· Experience working with diverse communities, and making scientific analysis meaningful for a variety of audiences
· Spanish language skills a definite plus
· Very strong research skills and drive
· Strong project management skills and follow-through
· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Google Apps, Salesforce and a Mac environment are helpful, though not necessary. Facility with statistical analysis software, graphing applications and GIS software is a plus
· Ability to work in diverse teams; manage time and workload effectively
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems creatively
· Understanding of environmental health, social justice and/or food system reform is strongly preferred; Political savvy, strategic thinking and passion around these issues is ideal

PAN strongly encourages applications from people of color, and people with international experience. For more information about PAN North America please visit: http://www.panna.org

To apply
Please submit an e-mail with attached letter of interest in working with PANNA, a resume with work experience and salary history (required) and both technical and lay writing samples — to heather@panna.org.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Selections of candidates for interview will be made beginning August 31, 2011, and continue as long as well-qualified candidates present themselves.

Pesticide Action Network North America (PAN North America, or PANNA) works to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. More detailed descriptions are available on website.

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