Local recruitment: Senior Policy Analyst, Water Infrastructure

Summary

Position Title: Senior Policy Analyst

Reports To: Director of Water Infrastructure Policy

Classification: Full-time employee

Location: Remote position, with some required travel

Salary: $80,000-$90,000

Background

Our Water Team was founded around the knowledge that solutions, innovations, capacity building, and policy reform can dramatically increase the speed and effectiveness with which we solve water problems. We believe we can be a catalyst for change by applying legal and data analysis and driving policy reform to address persistent and emerging challenges. Our work supports system-level transformation while directly assisting states and communities—particularly small and historically under-resourced ones—in accessing critical resources and support.

EPIC seeks to hire a Senior Policy Analyst with a strong skillset and passion to develop data-driven policy solutions using legal and data analysis skills. The work will  focus on water infrastructure programs, including the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), contracting and procurement for water infrastructure including innovative approaches such as Community-Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3s), and other legal and policy frameworks relevant to funding of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.  Consideration of affordability, cost-efficiencies, workforce development, economic development, and other co-benefits of water infrastructure investments are central to our work. We proactively seek opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels to advance practical, data-driven solutions. By collaborating with public, private, and nonprofit partners, we aim to create meaningful, lasting impact. 

About EPIC 

EPIC builds policies that deliver spectacular improvement in the speed and scale of environmental progress so people and nature can thrive. A national nonprofit, EPIC is committed to finding and highlighting the best approaches to scaling up results quickly. Learn about our water infrastructure work here. 

Position Description 

Reporting to the Director of Water Infrastructure Policy, the Senior Policy Analyst will conduct insightful legal, policy, and data research and analysis to catalyze policy change that expands access to water infrastructure investments more efficiently and with greater impact. The position will also be expected to conduct legal, policy, and data analysis to support the Water Team’s responsiveness to the dynamic issues impacting delivery of safe, reliable, affordable drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management services.  This position will focus on evaluating, analyzing, and developing recommendations to enhance Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, accelerate cost-effective lead service line replacement, scale up green stormwater infrastructure, and enhance systems’ financial and environmental resilience. Experience working on these topics will be valued, but is not strictly required.

Responsibilities 

Legal, Policy, and Data Analysis

• Initiate and collaborate on creative,novel, and meaningful analysis of diverse sources of information on water financing and utilities that will help advance the goals of EPIC’s Water Team.
• Understand and analyze legal and policy frameworks governing water infrastructure funding and financing, and effectively communicate these frameworks and related legal and policy insights to both expert and nonexpert audiences. 
• Work with EPIC’s data scientists to define key policy questions and shape data analysis that effectively addresses critical policy concerns. 
• Use legal and data findings to support further research, policy analysis, technical assistance, outreach efforts, and to develop policy recommendations to improve the transparency, monitoring, allotment, distribution, efficiency, expediency, expanded reach, and co-benefits of investments in water infrastructure.
• Analyze and synthesize information on local, state, and federal water programs and their governing frameworks. Develop clear, actionable recommendations for improvement, and effectively communicate key insights to both internal and external colleagues.
• Demonstrate leadership and skill and knowledge development by becoming a source of data insights, hypotheses, and policy reform ideas. 
• Prepare and provide expert testimony and public comments on federal, state, and local policy deliberations and proposals. 
• Track developments in key local, state, and federal efforts on relevant water issues. 

Specific areas of research and analysis are likely to  include the following:

State Allocation of State Revolving Funds 

• Analyze state Drinking Water SRF programs to track the allocation of water infrastructure funding, evaluate the reach of allocations and other assistance to small and under-resourced communities, and develop recommendations to improve the transparency and accessibility of SRF data.
• Review state Drinking Water Intended Use Plans and Project Priority Lists to extract key insights and build a database that provides valuable, actionable information for state agencies and other interested parties.
• Leverage data and policy analysis to identify key barriers to the full utilization and broader reach of SRF assistance to small and under-resourced communities, while also highlighting best-practice models for improvement.
• Develop recommendations to improve the collection and reporting of SRF data and outcomes. 
• Identify and promote best practices and develop strategic recommendations to strengthen the long-term sustainability of state SRF programs.

Lead Service Line Replacement 

• Analyze, track, and report on the appropriation, allotment, distribution, and utilization of federal and state funds for lead service line replacement. 
• Identify persistent funding, data, policy, legal, and administrative challenges at the local, state, and federal  levels that obstruct the objective of removing all lead service lines in the United States within 10 years.  Develop feasible and innovative solutions, and identify and lift up best practice models. 
• Evaluate and propose strategies to enhance the cost-efficiency, scalability, and accessibility for vulnerable communities of local lead service line replacement projects through optimized contracting, procurement, and delivery models.

Community-Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3s) 

• Analyze and identify challenges to the broader take-up of CBP3s as a procurement and implementation model for water infrastructure projects, particularly for lead service line replacement and green stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Recommend policy reforms and implementation best practices  to improve access to SRF programs and other funding sources for CBP3s, addressing local and state barriers and facilitating successful project implementation. 

Water Infrastructure Governance, including Regional Approaches and Consolidation

• Understand, analyze, and explain legal and policy frameworks that drive and govern regionalization and consolidation efforts across water systems. 
• Apply data and policy analysis to identify opportunities for improving access to safe, reliable, and affordable water services through regional approaches, including system consolidation and governance reforms.

Communications and Outreach 

• Write reports, case studies, and blogs to advance the visibility and impact of EPIC’s water policy efforts.
• Build and nurture dynamic, high-impact networks of collaborators and peers to mutually advance our work and support their efforts.
• Engage with water policymakers, elected officials, regulators, legislators, utilities, and community groups to build your understanding of relevant frameworks and challenges, and share data and policy insights. 
• Coordinate with both internal and external colleagues on data collection and organization and maintain internal project tracking systems using communication platforms such as Slack, email, and Mobilize, and project management tools such as Airtable and Hubspot. 
• Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to plan webinars, produce blogs and publications, and identify conferences and events to effectively share EPIC’s analysis and insights with key stakeholders.
• Engage in work groups, webinars, convenings, coalitions, and public events to share EPIC’s findings and resources, ensuring their relevance and actionable impact.

Required Qualifications 

• A law degree or other relevant advanced degree.

• 5+ years experience in one or more of the following areas: water policy, water utility management, environmental policy, public policy, data analysis, and administration.
• Proven experience in researching, analyzing, and communicating legal, policy, and data insights to advance policy goals—preferably related to the safe, reliable delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services for all; water affordability; infrastructure funding and financing; and the development of resilient water systems.
• Ability to explain complex policy ideas and data analysis clearly through written, visual, and verbal communications.

• Proven commitment to ensuring access for all  to public health, safety, and welfare through resilient, durable water systems.. 

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater management, finance, or technical operations. 
• Strong quantitative skills and data management experience, for example, in Python, R, or Github.
• Direct engagement with municipalities, utilities, or communities on drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management issues. 
• Demonstrated understanding of a range of water infrastructure and other relevant policy issues. 
• Experience in using research and analysis for narrative building and engagement around policy reforms, including in legislative, regulatory, local engagement, or other relevant settings.
• Network of relationships in the water sector or government agencies and officials.

Location 

This is a remote position, with most work done at the candidate’s home. Office space is also available at EPIC’s College Park, MD office. Some national travel is required to attend  meetings, conferences, and other events. It is anticipated that this position will travel approximately 10-15  days per year. 

Salary Range 

$80,000 – $90,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

Staff Benefits

EPIC offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision care; matching 401k contributions up to 5% of salary; and five days of flexible “wellness” leave in addition to sick leave and four weeks of paid time off.  

Bar membership or other appropriate professional accreditation or membership in professional associations, and continuing professional development expenses such as CLE credit requirements, can also be covered. 

Application Process and Guidance 

Qualified candidates should email Valerie Nguyen at valerie@policyinnovation.org with “Senior Policy Analyst” in the subject line. Please include a resume and a cover letter labeled with your last name followed by the document type (e.g., “Ibrahim_Resume”). Candidates who advance beyond the first interview stage will also be asked to provide a writing sample and references. 

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible,  as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will close as soon as a suitable candidate has been secured.  

We believe that including more people from diverse backgrounds, including people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQ people, is essential for achieving our vision. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or members of other underrepresented communities. 

We know there is not one ideal candidate who has all the qualifications listed. If you have a mix of interests, skills, and experience related to the above – and a passion for this work – please do not let a gap in your expertise stop you from applying for this role or reaching out. 

Thank you for your interest in working with EPIC!