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Analyst, Climate Resilient Water Systems
Location: California (Remote)
Program Description
The Climate Resilient Water Systems workstream is a part of the People and Nature team and is dedicated to developing water policy and management solutions that balance water supply and demand and increase the resilience of water systems that support communities and ecosystems. The team has established a reputation as a trusted and credible partner with diverse stakeholders, governments, and water agencies; expertise in groundwater challenges and solutions; and as an advocate for transformational change in water policy and practices that incorporate ecosystem and environmental justice goals. The Climate Resilient Water Systems team currently is focused within California, the Colorado River Basin and Texas, with active exploration of new work in other domestic U.S. and international locations.
In California, EDF’s Climate Resilient Water Systems team is developing new tools and strategies to support inclusive multibenefit water management across the state. Balancing water supplies and demand will be critical to ensuring the reliability of water supplies for agricultural, community, and environmental users as climate change is exacerbating California’s volatile hydrologic conditions. Experts estimate a significant portion of irrigated farmland will be removed from production in the coming decades as the state becomes hotter and drier and regions seek to balance their water supplies. EDF has been a leader in advocating for funding, planning, and implementation of coordinated multibenefit land repurposing to ensure formerly irrigated farmland is voluntarily transitioned to new uses that require little to no water and provide social, economic, and environmental benefits such as restored habitat corridors, community parks, and low-impact solar.
Overall Function
The Analyst, Climate Resilient Water Systems is an important member of the Climate Resilient Water Systems workstream on the People and Nature team. The Analyst will contribute to activities related to promoting agricultural and rural community resilience, including supporting inclusive water and land use decision-making and governance, natural infrastructure, sustainable and equitable water management plans and programs, demand management, sustainable groundwater management, and multibenefit land use and water policy strategies and advocacy. Through research, moderately complex data analysis, project tracking and coordination, and writing support, this position will support the teams’ goals and objectives while having a particular focus supporting EDF’s multibenefit land repurposing initiatives. Further, the Analyst will assist in implementing California’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, cataloging tools and resources to support water and land use planning, and developing communication materials related to land repurposing and sustainable groundwater management.
The Analyst reports to the Manager, Climate Resilient Water Systems and may assist in the exploration of similar approaches and strategies in other water-limited geographies.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct timely in-house analyses related to multibenefit land repurposing and sustainable groundwater management, as relevant to priorities and goals.
- Research and help prepare internal and public communications, including reports, website content, presentations, and blog posts in alignment with Climate Resilient Water Systems, People and Nature, and EDF’s established strategies and goals.
- In coordination with development staff, participate in developing funding proposals and interim reports, when appropriate.
- Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
- Prepare relevant correspondence and reports, respond to requests for information and other inquiries, and help coordinate Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program activities among team members that support climate resilient water systems and multibenefit land repurposing.
- Assist consultants in coordinating the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program Statewide Support Entity, including support in scheduling meetings for relevant partners, facilitating communications, and providing online workspace support, such as developing content, reviewing materials, and drafting updates.
- Help identify externally developed resources, support outreach, and collaborate to develop new guidance materials for water, land managers, and community members.
- Research land fallowing and farmland conservation programs that have been developed locally and regionally and identify key lessons learned.
- Track and summarize latest research and developments related to sustainable groundwater management, land use practices, and renewable energy potential in California.
- Support tracking of projects and help document progress towards CA water team objectives.
- Assist with grant writing and reporting related to multibenefit land repurposing initiatives.
- Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, economics, hydrology, conservation biology, or related fields and at least three years of related professional experience or Master’s degree in a related field with at least 1 year of relevant experience required.
- Familiarity with California water policy (including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act), hydrological systems, conservation principles, and agricultural systems.
- Proactive, exceptional personal organization, and attentive to detail.
- Excellent research, time management, and analytical skills.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience presenting moderately complex analysis to a broad range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated problem solving and research skills.
- Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as a part of a multidisciplinary team across various time zones while prioritizing a diversified workload and meeting deadlines.
- Strong computer proficiency, including experience with Excel and Word.
- Experience working with agricultural and rural community stakeholders is preferred.
- Proficiency with GIS desired.
- Willingness to travel within California up to 5% of the time, as needed.
Hiring Range
We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization.
The pay range for this role is 57,000 – 65,000 USD which takes into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.
Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
