Graduate Research Assistant

Start Date: May 2022
End Date: TBD
Hours: 10-20 hr./week
Hourly Rate: $18.00
Location: Flexible

The School of Government (School) works to improve the lives of North Carolinians by engaging in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the School works to enhance the ability of governments and other organizations to provide environmental programs and services in effective and financially sustainable ways. The EFC reaches local communities through interactive training and technical assistance. In addition, the EFC works with decision-makers to assess and improve environmental finance policies at a regional or state level.

In support of our mission, the EFC is hiring a graduate research assistant(s) to help conduct applied research on EFC projects.

Tasks may include but are not limited to:
• Under the mentorship of a Project Director, conducting research or policy analysis on various topics related to environmental finance
• Contributing to case studies, reports, and/or blog posts for non-academic audiences
• Participating in client interviews or stakeholder meetings
• Assist in the implementation rates surveys including collecting, entering, organizing data (some data collection will require outreach via phone) and conducting quality control on entered data
• Data compilation, analysis, and visualization. Focus is on data related to financial and institutional management of U.S. drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities.
• Become familiar with water, wastewater, and stormwater utility terminology and correspond with colleagues who are subject matter experts
Education Requirements:
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to public administration, public health, planning, environmental management/studies, environmental engineering, public policy, business administration, finance, information science, or political science.

Role Requirements:
• Strong interest in learning more about environmental finance and/or public finance
• Ability to work independently and produce quality products, particularly if working remotely
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong writing skills
• Experience with Tableau or ArcGIS is a plus

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Tenika McMillan, Project Director of the Environmental Finance Center at tmcmillan@sog.unc.edu. This position is open until filled and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.