Analyst, Equity and Opportunity

Analyst, Equity and Opportunity

Equity And Opportunity Team Overview (E&O)

The Equity and Opportunity (E&O) team at the Lincoln Institute seeks to use land policy to improve well-being for communities, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable people and places. Land policy contributes to community well-being by creating structures that improve access to opportunity in the areas of housing, employment, and greening. We advance these topics by conducting research, translating that research into implementable resources for practitioners, and “ground-truthing” those resources in place-based projects and communities of practice. Our work focuses on smaller regional centers that are working to strengthen their opportunity structures and improve outcomes for their most vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on legacy cities, formerly industrial places that have experienced population and economic decline.

The E&O team works closely with partners from a wide range of backgrounds and prioritizes the same level of diversity within its team. We believe that our work is its strongest when it is the product of a range of perspectives, and we organize our hiring processes based on that belief.
 

Position Overview   

The Policy Analyst, Equity and Opportunity provides substantive research and logistical support for the Equity and Opportunity programmatic team. You will contribute to the “Remaking Local Economies” initiative (RLE), an effort funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that seeks to reframe how local governments in small and mid-sized cities approach economic development investments and initiatives to promote well-being growth, which measures success of all economic development by the success of the most vulnerable people and places. You will play a key role in translating our research findings into multi-year engagements in two places in the US.  

This fixed-term, full-time, hybrid role reports to the Director of Equity and Opportunity. Ideally, our candidate will be based out of our Cambridge, MA office; however, the Institute also has offices in Phoenix, AZ and Washington, DC based upon whichever location supports your hybrid work arrangement. Please note, this position is fully benefit eligible (see below) and is made possible through a grant until the end of August 2027. We hope the work accomplished will demonstrate the need for this position to continue beyond its current anticipated end date. 

What You’ll Do – Produce  

• Translate complex ideas around land use, economic and community development, and equity into clear materials to present to various audiences, including community members, government officials, civic and business leaders. 

• Prepare, assemble, and disseminate materials for convenings, local meetings, conference presentations, or other events. 

• Draft case studies, policy downloads, or other materials to support our place-based team partners and capture learnings from the roll-out. 

• Build a “feedback loop” between learnings in our place-based work and our academic research through organizing team collaboration. 

• Participate in and coordinate engaging research and practitioner networks to advance our Remaking Local Economies (RLE) goals 

What You’ll Do – Manage and Implement 

• Facilitate the implementation of our place-based component of the Remaking Local Economies initiative under guidance of the Director  

• Document and track all program activities; take comprehensives notes at meetings or events  

• Schedule and coordinate convenings, events, meetings and other gatherings  

• Support the development of materials for grant reports or other requirements of the funder 

• Support special projects and other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

What You Will Need  

• BA/BS with 5 years of relevant experience in urban planning, economic development, and/or community development, ideally including experience with community organizing or grassroots planning efforts, undergraduate degree can serve as a portion of the experience  

• Critical thinking/problem solving skills and disposition to propose new/creative approaches to difficult issues 

• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and creatively 

• Demonstrated research skills 

• Strong communication and presentation skills  

• Professional demeanor with positive, collegial, and collaborative leadership skills for multidisciplinary programs  

• Task-oriented work ethic, responsiveness to deadlines, and a commonsense approach to moving projects and agendas forward  

• Integrity and sound judgment  

• A demonstrated commitment to equity as both an approach to work and an outcome of that

Compensation Overview 

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) 100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 – Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest in joining the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer.

Our Values

We support a culture of forthright feedback, initiative, cooperation and teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and accepting responsibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Massachusetts Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Salary : $67,000 - $78,000