Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Permanent

Clean Transportation Program

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote/Hybrid located near Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, or Washington DC

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

·       Science in the service of people and the planet.

·       Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.

·       Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.

·       Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.

·       Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.

·       Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s Clean Transportation Program and Center for Science and Democracy

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking to hire an Operations Manager to help build and maintain high-performing, inclusive program operations and culture, and to improve and support campaign processes.

UCS’s Clean Transportation program is working to transform the transportation system to one that protects public health and our climate; provides affordable, convenient access to all, and prioritizes benefits to historically marginalized communities. We achieve this by leveraging our scientific analysis and expertise, political power, and Science Network, through partnerships and coalitions, and in campaigns that are informed by our relationships with frontline and other impacted communities.

Our goals include:

·       A transition to 100% zero-emissions vehicles (both passenger and heavy-duty).

·       An equitable transportation system that reduces reliance on driving while safely, reliably, and affordably connects all people with the places, resources, and communities they need to thrive.

·       A clean, safe, and fair transition from a petroleum-powered transportation system to one powered by renewable electricity, that minimizes the public health impacts of current and new fuel production.

·       Centering grassroots-supported solutions and ensuring workers and impacted communities have a seat at decision-making tables.

20% of the role will involve providing support for UCS’s Center for Science and Democracy, which works to promote independent science, a responsive, transparent democracy, and evidence-based decision making on issues that affect public health and safety.

The Position

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

Responsibilities

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others.

Manage Day-to-Day Program Operations

Under the supervision of the CT Program Director, oversee program operations and administration. This includes:

·       Serve as primary event coordinator for all-program retreats (Clean Transportation currently organizes one annual retreat attended by roughly 25 staff; the Center for Science and Democracy also holds an annual retreat) and provide support for smaller campaign team events, retreats, or other activities as needed.

·       Assist with budget development, management and tracking throughout the year including reconciling budget records on a regular basis.

·       Assist program staff with preparing and submitting financial documents and contracts from the program to the Finance and Administration department. Assist in troubleshooting contracts, purchase record invoices and payments, etc. in a timely manner as needed.

·       Schedule program meetings and manage program calendars.

·       In collaboration with the Program Director, Deputy Director, and Development staff, lend high-level support to program fundraising, particularly tracking and reporting back to foundations.

·       Assist with proactively providing coordination and team management for the department’s planning processes.

·       In collaboration with People & Culture, assist hiring managers during hiring, orientation, and on-boarding processes.

·       Proactively and creatively work to streamline and optimize program processes related to impact tracking, outreach reporting, or other areas as needed.

Provide Campaign and Outreach Support

·       Serve as program point person for ensuring metric tracking is up to date. Work with campaign leads and individual staff to ensure activities are captured in a timely manner.

·       Assist with preparation of online action alerts as needed and coordinate among team to maintain partner reporting for Raiser’s Edge or another Contact Relationship Management system.

·       Provide project management support for major program or campaign projects and work with project leads to ensure desired outcomes and progress indicators are clear. Ensure benchmarks and outcomes are tracked effectively and communicated within UCS as needed.

·       Assist or lead in coordinating event and conference logistics.

Strengthen Team Culture and Support Internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Efforts

·       Support effective communication across the program including opportunities for greater staff input.

·       Lead internal program communications including a regular (weekly or biweekly) program update on blogs, media, or products from CT campaigns and staff.

·       Support staff development by identifying and organizing training opportunities and coordinating with other UCS departments and programs.

·       Help advance program justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) efforts by providing support for program learning sessions and CT JEDI working group and coordinating with UCS’s JEDI office.

·       Schedule and coordinate regular coffee hours/open office hours/lunches or other activities.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Five to seven years of relevant nonprofit management. Supervisory experience and/or management of consultants preferred.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Strong project management and planning skills.
• Self-motivation and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent personal relation skills, including an ability to work both independently and in teams and to interact effectively with a range of people, including professionals who may be experts and/or prominent in their fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects for extended periods of time, and to be flexible in responding to fast-changing organizational needs.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the importance of racial equity to effectively achieve program goals.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Familiarity with clean transportation policy issues or advocacy campaigns a plus.

May spend extended periods at computer.  Approximately 5-15 days of overnight domestic travel per year is required.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote/hybrid position ideally based near one of UCS’s 4 office locations (Cambridge MA, Washington DC, Chicago IL, or Oakland CA). For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $90,601 to $101,930. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.