How to become a climate change policy analyst
Climate change policy analyst positions tend to require a form of graduate school, often a master’s degree. The minimum education requirement is a bachelor's degree in environmental science, building science, public administration, urban planning, construction management, climate science, or another related field.
Technological skills that are important for success in the position include analytical or scientific software, geographic information systems, and presentation software. Along with technological skills, it is important for one to have strong reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills. Another key skill to have in this position is the ability to synthesize large, often complex, legislation or technical problems into easy-to-understand briefs for non-technical staff and community members.
Many municipal government departments contribute to a city or town’s sustainability efforts and can offer opportunities to move into sustainability-specific roles. These departments include parks & recreation, urban forestry, public works, transportation, housing, planning and design, and waste management – among others.
Ìý Jobs that work with climate change policy analysts
- Chief sustainability officers
- Chief resilience officers
- Chief climate officers
- Urban planners
- Environmental economists
- Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Industrial ecologists
- Sustainability specialists
Ìý Pathways to climate change policy analysts
- Project manager or coordinator in a climate or sustainability office
- Special projects coordinator in a mayor’s office
- Intern or fellow in a sustainability, climate or resilience office
- Work for an NGO as a program coordinator in any of the functional areas that tie to climate
- Urban or land use planner
- Natural resources management
- Consultant