Research Analyst, Connective Mobility

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You will be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the program: 

As part of the Electric School Bus Initiative, the 480,000 school buses in the United States account for 80% of all buses nationwide, yet just over 3% are electrified currently. School bus electrification represents a unique opportunity to accelerate decarbonization while bringing direct, tangible benefits to every community in the United States. This transition can help make electric mobility the new normal for an entire generation and help to address historic under investments in communities of color, low income and rural communities. Through the U.S. Electric School Bus Initiative, created in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, WRI’s aim is to create unstoppable momentum toward equitably electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses. Overcoming the cost, infrastructure, policy and other barriers to mass adoption will require a systemic approach that engages an entire ecosystem of actors and prioritizes inclusive planning with impacted communities. 

Together with partners, WRI is working in five areas of focus:

• Support school districts in accelerating the equitable transition to electric school buses
• Collaborate with workforce providers and manufacturers across the electric school bus supply chain in preparing for an equitable and sustainable transition
• Work with electric utilities to improve interconnection and investments for electric school bus charging infrastructure, including supportive rates and tariffs and resiliency and vehicle to grid strategies
• Engage policymakers to drive policies that grow demand and reduce barriers, and to increase electric school bus public funding
• Partner with communities pursuing school bus electrification, and provide the tools and resources to make it happen

Job highlight: 

You will integrate equity into your work.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, eMobility Strategy & Manufacturing Engagement Electrification, you will support research and communications efforts. This position will include but will not be limited to equitably supporting stakeholders and partners including school districts, manufacturers and workforce providers. You will interact with school districts, manufacturers, workforce providers, colleges, equity partners and other key stakeholders to ensure that school districts have the funding, resources, tools and guidance needed to successfully adopt and operate electric buses. Contribute to WRI knowledge products, blog posts, briefs, digests, communications materials, presentations and other resources. Conduct research and analysis to monitor electric school bus deployments, workforce trends and industry updates to inform research and technical assistance. Support senior team members working to rapidly scale electric school bus deployment on emerging projects.

What you will do: 

Research & Knowledge – Technical Assistance (90% time): -

• Engage with school districts, state agencies, nonprofits and other stakeholders in ESBI’s priority states and strategic geographies to identify topics of interest, provide technical assistance, support the rollout of funding programs and develop related tools and resources
• Attend calls and maintain relationships with school districts, advocacy groups, industry and related stakeholders while also seeking out new partnerships for relevant work
• Support data collection, analysis and stakeholder interviews on bus operations by engaging fleet operators and other related stakeholders in the school bus industry
• Conduct research and writing of stories, analysis, trends and topics related to school districts, workforce and similar topics
• Manage quantitative data analysis, data cleaning and database management
• Prepare internal and external communications including presentations, talking points, email digests, memos and similar materials
• Disseminate findings and best practices through publications, presentations, webinars, conferences, etc.
• Consider methods to centre equity in all technical assistance work, including prioritizing underserved school districts and communities, amplifying their voices and ensuring they can access tools and resources needed for fleet electrification

General Team Responsibilities (10% time): -

• Organize and support logistics for internal and external meetings, webinars, workshops, and other events
• Participate in internal and external peer review processes for publications and papers
• Be an active member of ESBI team and ensure coordination with other areas of the Initiative and across WRI teams
• Be willing to travel for various internal and external functions and events, as relevant, to serve as an Electric SBI representative
• Identify possible fundraising opportunities and help create content for proposals and concept notes, including deliverables, timelines and budgets

What you will need: 

• Education: You have a completed bachelor’s degree (master degree desirable) in transportation planning, data science and analytics, environmental studies, urban studies, clean energy, public policy or a related field
• Experience: You have 3+ years of relevant professional experience, including work on electric vehicles, transportation planning, sustainability, charging infrastructure, clean energy, public policy or another relevant field
• Demonstrated understanding of state policy, transportation electrification, and climate and environmental justice issues
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis skills
• Excellent writing, facilitation and communication skills
• Excellent organization and project and database management skills
• Commitment to equitable processes and outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, varying deadlines and competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
• Commitment to WRI’s mission and values
• Desirable: Experience working with school districts, school transportation associations, transportation contractors, state agencies, dealers, suppliers, or manufacturers
• Experience working with educational institutions, community-based nonprofits or environmental justice groups
• Demonstrated understanding of school bus electrification
• Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 69,000 and 78,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of May 30, 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution

About Us:

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.