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About the Role

The Research Associate is a valued member of the Budget Center’s growing team that supports the advancement of our strategic agenda through research and analysis, helps author innovative reports, and interacts with local, state, and national partners. This role works closely with policy analysts and senior staff to collect and analyze data, track policy developments, support the preparation of publications and presentations, and translate complex information into accessible materials that advance public understanding of budget and policy issues affecting Californians with low and middle incomes.

For this position, we are seeking candidates who have a general interest in budget policy and interest and/or experience in working on early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policy issues. 

The Research Associate reports to a senior member of our analyst team or an Analyst Team Director.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Research & Analysis:

  • Collect, clean, and analyze state and local data to support policy and budget analyses.
  • Prepare charts, tables, and graphics for use in reports, issue briefs, presentations, and other publications.
  • Assist in the preparation and drafting of written materials, including reports, fact sheets, and memos.
  • Track state and federal legislation, budget actions, and policy developments relevant to the Budget Center’s work, particularly related to early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policies.
  • Support analysts in reviewing data and materials for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.

Public Education and Technical Support:

  • Participate in public education and outreach activities, including presentations, webinars, and convenings, as appropriate.
  • Support responses to requests for information from advocates, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders.
  • Help translate technical or data-heavy content into materials suitable for non-expert audiences.

Organizational Collaboration and Equity Practice:

  • Participate in internal equity-focused efforts and professional development activities.
  • Engage in and contribute to the Budget Center’s race and gender equity efforts by applying an equity lens to research, analysis, and data interpretation, and participating in internal initiatives focused on equity and inclusion.
  • Assist with the development of the Budget Center’s annual policy conference (Policy Insights).

Qualifications

To effectively perform this role, an individual must be capable of performing each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Core Skills and Attributes

  • Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial equity, preferably with experience embodying these values in equity-centered research, data analysis, or policy-related work.
  • Dedicated to the goals and mission of the Budget Center, with a strong interest in conducting research and supporting policy solutions that improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
  • Ability to effectively communicate (both written and verbal communication) complex information and concepts in a clear and concise manner to diverse audiences.
  • Strong attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks and track progress while meeting deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with analysts and cross-functional team members.
  • Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and build skills in policy analysis, research methods, and public communication.

Experience and Technical Proficiencies

  • Experience or demonstrated interest in public policy research, analysis, or a closely related field.
  • Experience in working on early childhood development and/or housing and homelessness policy issues is a plus.
  • Strong analytical skills, including comfort working with numbers and spreadsheets.
  • Experience working with administrative datasets and Stata statistical software is a plus.
  • Experience working with population-based survey datasets and US Census datasets is a plus. 
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products and the Google Suite. Familiarity with data visualization platforms (such as Data Wrapper) preferred. 
  • Bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma with four years of relevant experience is required. A degree in political science, economics, urban planning, or a related degree is preferred.  

We understand that not every individual will possess every characteristic listed in our qualifications. However, if you believe in your ability to excel in this role and feel a strong alignment with our organization's values and mission, we encourage you to apply. Our team values diverse experiences and perspectives and is committed to providing a supportive environment where talents can flourish. Even if you don't meet every criterion, but feel that this is the right fit for you, we would love to hear from you.

Physical and Location Requirements

The Budget Center strives to work with each staff member to provide flexible schedules and accommodate personal obligations in pursuit of creating and maintaining a strong work-life balance and well-being. We provide telework/remote work, in-person/in-office, and hybrid work arrangements. 

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and using a computer and mouse.
  • Occasional travel is required (work travel is fully reimbursable).
  • This role is primarily remote, but candidates should be based in a location allowing for occasional in-person attendance at our Sacramento office. While we don't specify a strict distance requirement, it's important that candidates can comfortably travel to the office for initial weekly visits for onboarding and twice a month as they settle into the role. Ideal candidates will reside in the Greater Sacramento region or a location that supports manageable travel to Sacramento.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a non-exempt position with an hourly wage of $31.11 - $40.59 (equivalent to $64,707 - $84,435 per year) . The hourly wage will be determined by considering various factors, including skills, relevant experience, and educational background. Alongside these factors, we are committed to maintaining pay equity and will consider the internal equity among our existing team in formulating any final offer. It’s important to note that the specified range represents the complete salary band for this position. Typically, offers are not made at the top half of the range to allow for future salary growth. Benefits include:

  • Excellent health insurance and dental and vision coverage (100% coverage of premiums for the employee; 90% coverage of premiums for dependents); 
  • Retirement benefits include a 403b plan and an annual SEP-IRA retirement contribution of at least 5% of salary (most recently set at 10% of salary); participation in the 403b plan is not required to receive an employer retirement contribution;
  • Annual paid leave benefits include:
    • 12 vacation days,
    • 12 sick days,
    • 10 holidays,
    • 4 personal days,
  • Yearly evaluation of additional time off benefits during summer (half-day Fridays) and winter (late December office closure);
  • Flexible work arrangements that support alternative schedules and both in-person and remote work;
  • 16 weeks of family leave for parents or caregivers;
  • FSAs for health, childcare, and transportation costs; 
  • Annual stipends to cover home office, transportation, and well-being expenses; and,
  • Annual allocations for professional development. 

To Apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by April 3, 2026. No calls, please. Please submit the following here:

We understand that applicants may use AI tools to support application drafting. We encourage you to ensure your responses reflect your own thinking and voice. In our review process, we prioritize responses that are specific, experience-based, and clearly individualized. Submissions that read as overly generic or templated may not be competitive.

All applications are reviewed by members of our team to support a thoughtful, human-centered, and equitable hiring process.

 

About the California Budget & Policy Center

At the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center), we are dedicated to a vision of a more equitable California. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization specializing in research and analysis, our mission is to advance public policies that tangibly improve the lives of Californians, especially those who have been historically denied the opportunity to share in the state's prosperity. Our focus is on illuminating inequities in budget choices and public policies that disproportionately affect low and middle-income households, women, immigrants, American Indians, Asian, Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander Californians, and other communities of color, as well as individuals with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. By identifying policy pathways that expand economic opportunities, we strive to promote well-being and dignity for all Californians.

The Budget Center is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion, both in the policies we advocate for and within our organizational culture. We value the lived experiences and diverse perspectives of our staff, recognizing that these insights are crucial to achieving our goals. Our work is grounded in values of community engagement, integrity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We endeavor to shift power and resources towards Californians who have been systemically excluded, ensuring that our policies are not only equitable but also anti-racist.

 

The Budget Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, disability, and any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law.