Research Associate

Reports to: Senior Manager of Research  

Location: Remote or DC Office 

Posting Date: February 13, 2023 

Application Deadline:  February 24, 2023 

Anticipated Start Date: April 10, 2023 

Organization Description: The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners that works to ensure that rural and tribal communities across the United States have access to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste disposal, and economic prosperity through direct technical assistance, training, and financial assistance in the smallest communities across the country, many of which are economically disadvantaged. RCAP works to build capacity at the local level, while raising the voice of rural and tribal communities through advocacy, storytelling, research and strategic partnerships. Last year, RCAP served more than 3.4 million rural and tribal residents, with a median household income of just over $38,000, approximately half of the national average.  

RCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to our diverse workforce across a range of dimensions. Individuals who come from rural areas; who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color; who are queer, trans, non-binary, or two-spirit; people with disabilities; people who are immigrants; people from poor and working-class backgrounds; and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.  

We expect all our employees to share a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and always seek ways to improve how well we live these values. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know. Once you have applied, we welcome your feedback on how you have experienced our values around diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process.  

Position Description: RCAP is hiring a Research Associate to implement and grow RCAP’s research who has a passion for improving quality of life, and public and environmental health in rural America.  

A major portion of the Research Associate’s time will be dedicated to supporting the work RCAP is beginning as a new EPA National Environmental Finance Center (EFC). As an EFC, RCAP will be helping un/underserved small, rural and Tribal communities all across the country prepare for, access, implement and sustainably manage infrastructure dollars. The Research Associate will be assisting with mapping and research efforts related to the development of a process to help prioritize outreach and technical assistance for small, rural, and Tribal disadvantaged communities across the country that most need support in order to access Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and other infrastructure funding to overcome their most urgent infrastructure needs.   

Hours: Exempt Full-Time 

Salary Range: $55,000-$65,000 – a cost of living adjustment will be included if the applicant resides in Washington, DC area, in which case the Research Associate will be considered “hybrid,” with the expectation that the Research Associate will work from the DC office multiple times per week. If the Research Associate is not based in the DC area, the position will be considered remote. RCAP does not offer relocation expenses.   

RCAP offers a generous benefits package which includes: health, dental, and vision insurance; vacation and sick time; paid holidays; parental leave; and 403b-contribution. 

Specific Duties/Responsibilities:  

Project management and teamwork 

• Support RCAP’s Senior Manager of Research and Research Specialist with:  

• Helping the team keep on track with deadlines and communications. Methodical, clear documentation of research processes (e.g. tracking citations and metadata). 

• Interacting with internal and external partners professionally and with minimal supervision once relationships have been developed.   

• When time permits, contributing to RCAP’s other research work on a broad range of topics which are important to rural communities, including community and economic development, broadband access, drinking water quality, access, and affordability, and climate impacts in frontline communities and their access to high quality and affordable water and wastewater utility services. 

• Assisting with events and other activities to support RCAP’s goals, such as conferences, Advocacy Fly-Ins, site visits, and meetings. 

• Assist the Research and the Programs teams with needs assessment and data gathering to support funding proposals. 

• Work with the Senior Manager of Research, develop and grow skills in project management and strategy. 

Geospatial analysis and mapping 

• Data collection from various sources, management, inventory, and analysis of geospatial data. Synthesize geospatial data and create maps for publications in ArcGIS using cartographic principles. 

• As time permits, assist with or lead internal mapping and spatial analysis requests for reports and proposals. 

Data gathering and analysis 

• Willingness to dive deep into research on a topic, such as by performing literature reviews, internet or news searches; compiling, organizing, and tracking information; synthesizing data clearly for team members within RCAP and externally. 

• Quickly pick up on nuances of new topics, while being comfortable asking for help and asking questions. 

• Helps provide data points, visualizations, quality control, and edits for RCAP reports, grant applications, and publications, including for the Annual Impact Report. 

• Research funding options for financing affordable infrastructure solutions for water challenges in small communities (including but not limited to State Revolving Funds) 

Information synthesis and communications 

• Collaborate on publications including white papers, blogs, and research reports. 

• Ability to coordinate with and learn from RCAP’s network of technical assistance providers (TAPs), cultivating relationships with TAPs and partner organizations.   

 Required Qualifications and Relevant Experience:  

• A 4-year degree from an accredited institution in a related area such as the water sector or sciences; public policy; economics; public health; data science; environmental policy, science, or management; community development; law; public administration; or other field relevant to rural, the environment and community development -- OR relevant experience to substitute for education. Substitution of experience for education should be substantially documented.  

• Basic GIS analysis, mapping, and cartography skills, some experience using ArcGIS Desktop, and a desire to expand upon these skills. Some experience with managing, processing, analyzing, and editing geospatial data. Previous coursework or work/internship experience demonstrating GIS application. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.  

• Substantial knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products, especially Word and Excel. Ability to perform basic data analysis with large datasets in Excel.  

• Attention to detail is a must. 

• Willingness to perform deep-dive desktop research and ability to keep the research organized and contribute to SOPs/document methodology 

• Time management skills and ability to meet and plan for deadlines, and hold other team members and partners accountable 

• Ability to work independently as well as in a remote team setting  

 Desired Qualifications: 

• Some experience with the water sector, working with communities, or working with funding sources for communities is beneficial  

• Prior research, community work, or data collection/data science experience and/or experience or interest in rural community development; economic development; drinking water, wastewater, source water, or solid waste issues. 

• Some experience with statistics, econometrics, or other forms of quantitative analysis, or experience using the ArcGIS Online Suite (such as web maps, StoryMaps, etc.) are beneficial.  

• Basic skills in data presentation and visualization; comfort with interpreting and sharing data and numbers is helpful. Knowing what to ask for/look for is extremely helpful.   

• Familiarity with accessing data through APIs is helpful. Familiarity with web-based data collection systems is helpful. 

• Familiarity with and a passion for rural issues or water issues including but not limited to infrastructure and community and economic development a plus. 

• Familiarity with community-based participatory research methods or passion for bottom-up approaches and justice-oriented knowledge gathering is helpful. 

How to Apply: To apply please submit a letter of interest and resume/CV to abrown@rcap.org. The application process will close on February 24. 

The Selection Process: In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a timeline of key events: 

• Review of Resumes: Applications will be reviewed as they come in. All initial reviews will be completed March 3  

• Initial Screening Interviews (via phone): By March 10 

• Full Interviews (via Zoom): By March 17th   

• Reference checks: March 20-21 

• Extend offer: March 22 

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and face-to-face interviews.