Climate Change Policy Analysts

What the job really is

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-2041
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
• Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
• Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
• Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
• Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.
• Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.
• Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations.
• Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.
• Promote initiatives to mitigate climate change with government or environmental groups.
• Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management.
• Write reports or academic papers to communicate findings of climate-related studies.
• Develop, or contribute to the development of, educational or outreach programs on the environment or climate change.

Tools and technology

C++, ESRI ArcGIS software, Linux, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Perl, Python, R, SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Chief Sustainability Officers
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Industrial Ecologists
• Environmental Economists
• Sustainability Specialists
• Conservation Scientists
• Environmental Restoration Planners
• Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Climate Change Policy Analysts — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.