FAS

Associate, Climate and Health 

12-month termed position (with potential to extend), full-time FAS staff

Washington, DC

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise: 

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

Required

• Experience or course work related to climate and the environment, public health, and/or public policy.
• Excellent writing skills, and capacity to write both independently and with co-authors.
• Ability to coordinate, engage, and support stakeholders toward shared goals.

• Strong organization and project management skills; a demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Exemplary oral communication and capabilities for people-centered relational management and networking.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and pursuing it within the mission of FAS.

Preferred skills

• Experience working in community organizing, coalition stewardship, and/or policy campaigns.
• Knowledge of state-level legislatures, administrations, and political landscapes.
• An understanding of issues at the climate-health nexus, like extreme heat and wildfires, and potential policy solutions. 

What will some of your responsibilities entail?  

• Aid building and maintaining expert networks: 
  • Form and deepen relationships with a broad range of organizations, experts, practitioners, and policymakers interested in addressing the impacts of climate change on health and livelihoods.
  • Facilitate efficient and effective collaboration among the network towards shared goals and objectives.
  • Steward formal and informal working groups, including scheduling meetings, developing effective agendas, and capturing and distributing notes and action items.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities to engage members of the network on policy windows.
  • Work with program leadership to strategically extend and diversify networks.
• Support efforts to advance policy change at the state and local level:
  • Track trends at the state and local level related to a broad variety of climate and environmental issues, with an emphasis on issues at the climate-health nexus.
  • Support program leadership in identifying where FAS is well-suited to collaborate with state and local policymakers, as well as expert and organizational partners, on such issues.
• Contribute to FAS’s thought leadership on climate and health with an emphasis on issues at the climate-health nexus: 
  • Draft and contribute to blogs, issue briefs, and reports 
  • Support on offering technical assistance to policymakers.
  • Catalog and analyze relevant data, research, and information to inform public debate and discourse and strategically shape the media ecosystem.

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists is hiring an Associate, Climate and Health, to join our growing Climate and Environment team. You will focus on supporting our Climate and Health sub-program, but may flex to support other sub-programs (Lands and Waters, Climate Tech and Innovation, and the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity) as needed. On Climate and Health, you will support our efforts to mobilize organizations, experts, and policymakers around policy that (1) addresses the climate-related drivers of health and (2) builds more climate resilient health systems. For example, our Heat Policy Agendas has coalesced hundreds of stakeholders around shared goals for addressing the issue of extreme heat at all levels of government. In particular, the associate will support network and coalition building, creating the recruitment mechanisms, relationship stewardship systems, coordination infrastructure, and outreach and mobilization strategies necessary to affect change on issues ranging from extreme heat to wildfires. You will report to the Senior Manager, Climate and Health.

The ideal candidate for this role will be skilled in project management, relationship building, and written and oral communication. You will also be a self starter who regularly seeks out opportunities for impact and is naturally collaborative with an understanding of how to work with others towards shared goals. You will be eager to be constantly learning, through keeping up to date with the latest research, attending events, and speaking with experts and policymakers.

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role. Meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote depending on the needs of the organization.

This position is guaranteed for 12 months. There is potential to extend contingent on job performance, FAS’s organizational needs, and availability of resourcing.

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Salary Range

• $60,000-$65,000

Benefits

FAS offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees’ health, financial security, and overall well-being. Benefits include a competitive 403(b) retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance support, pre-tax benefits such as healthcare and dependent care FSAs, and commuter benefits.

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.