Climate Change Policy Analysts

Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Job Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $42K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $55K
Median Salary: $73K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $98K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $129K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.

Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.

Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.

Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.

Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.

Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.

Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations.

Promote initiatives to mitigate climate change with government or environmental groups.

Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.

Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management.

Write reports or academic papers to communicate findings of climate-related studies.

Develop, or contribute to the development of, educational or outreach programs on the environment or climate change.

Present and defend proposals for climate change research projects.

Prepare grant applications to obtain funding for programs related to climate change, environmental management, or sustainability.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Development environment software
Unidata Network common data form NetCDF
Information retrieval or search software
North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program NARCCAP data tables
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Object or component oriented development software
R
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer data input scanners
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Law and Government
80%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language
77%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mathematics
70%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Communications and Media
59%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Engineering and Technology
57%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Geography
56%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Administration and Management
55%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Physics
55%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Transportation
54%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Biology
53%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Top 10 Skills
Reading Comprehension
85%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking
78%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning
75%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
75%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Systems Evaluation
73%
Importance

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Systems Analysis
70%
Importance

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Time Management
68%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Top 10 Abilities
Written Comprehension
85%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity
75%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Information Ordering
70%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Speech Clarity
68%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
95%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing Data or Information
88%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
87%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
87%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
86%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
86%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers
85%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Developing Objectives and Strategies
83%
Importance

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
82%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Detailed Work Activities

Evaluate civic projects or public policies.

Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.

Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.

Conduct climatological research.

Interpret research or operational data.

Advise others on matters of public policy.

Communicate results of environmental research.

Compile environmental or climatological data.

Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.

Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.

Develop educational programs.

Prepare proposal documents or grant applications.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Major
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Marine Sciences
Sustainability Studies
Environmental Geosciences
Geography and Environmental Studies
Chemistry
Public Health
Interests
Investigative
86%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Enterprising
67%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
43%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Artistic
39%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Realistic
29%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social
29%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
95%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Integrity
89%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Persistence
86%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Attention to Detail
84%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative
84%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Cooperation
82%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Achievement/Effort
80%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Dependability
80%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
75%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Leadership
74%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values
Achievement
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Working Conditions
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
39%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.