Established in 2024 within NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the NYU Wagner Labor Initiative, led by Terri Gerstein, is a hub of research and action that studies and catalyzes the often-untapped potential of government in relation to workers' rights. The Labor Initiative helps government, particularly at the state and local levels, advance and protect workers’ rights through analysis, research, and implementation guidance, as well as idea generation and dissemination. The Labor Initiative convenes working groups of government enforcers, creating connective tissue among different states and localities; writes reports, articles, briefings, and toolkits; provides training and webinars; holds convenings, webinars, and public events, and helps raise public awareness of workplace policy issues.

The Associate Researcher will be responsible for implementing a project focused on supporting cities and counties wishing to implement programs to protect workers despite state preemption of local lawmaking on minimum wage, paid sick leave, or other key workplace issues. This project will provide research, analysis, and in-depth technical assistance, including strategic planning and implementation guidance, to a pilot group of government and community partners in select preempted localities. The project is a joint undertaking with the Local Progress Impact Lab. 

The Associate Researcher working with the Labor Initiative Director, will have responsibility for implementing the project, helping local governments in pilot locations implement programs to ensure labor compliance or improve working conditions despite state-level preemption. This unique role leading this innovative project demands a strategic and pragmatic thinker with deep understanding of government, labor/community organizations, and the inside/outside interplay between the two. The role requires a self-starter with strong organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills and the ability to execute and achieve results despite challenges and uncertainty. It also requires the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected and appointed government officials, labor unions, community organizations, business associations, and more. 

This is a grant-funded, full-time position reporting to the Labor Initiative’s Director. It is a two-year position, with possibility of extension for a third year. 

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Researcher will undertake a comprehensive range of programmatic and operational responsibilities, with a significant portion of time dedicated to the following duties:

Program implementation

• Work with local government officials and agencies and with local community partners in a select subset of pilot locations in states preempting local lawmaking advancing key workers’ rights. 

• Engage extensively with various stakeholders, including community, government, and business groups as appropriate. 

• Participate in selection of pilot localities and community partners. 

• Provide technical assistance throughout all stages of the project: assist pilot sites in an initial landscape analysis, assessment of opportunities, and target timetables for implementation; help localities and community partners liaise and address implementation challenges;  support pilot locations in all aspects of the work, including policy review and guidance, implementation plans, strategy, communications, and method of assessing impact. 

• Create and support a cohort of pilot participants, establishing a community of learning and practice offering peer learning and resources (experts, research, etc), with regular virtual meetings. 

• Plan and facilitate in-person convenings to catalyze new innovations and develop strong networks among pilot localities and more broadly.

• Track progress of Project and analyze its impact. 

Dissemination of Project Lessons and Insight 

• Plan and execute methods of sharing the work: reports, issue briefs, articles, op-eds, social media and/or other means. 

• Provide lighter-touch technical assistance to relevant localities and community partners that are not included in the pilot cohort. 

• Serve as a thought partner and offer strategic guidance to advocates and local governments wishing to explore ways to exercise their existing non-legislative powers in relation to other issues like housing or environmental protection, in addition to workers’ rights.

Financial and Operational Management and Participation in Labor Initiative activities 

• Management of project grants, including timely reports to funders, and application for future grants to support the Project. Maintain strict adherence to NYU policies and external grant compliance requirements.

• Supervise student employees, providing invaluable guidance and fostering their professional development.

• Collaborate effectively with NYU staff and external partners to amplify the Labor Initiative’s research and outreach efforts.

• Participate in ongoing work of the Labor Initiative as appropriate (e.g., assist in planning convenings, authoring reports, etc.).

• J.D. or Master?s degree in Public Policy/Public Administration or a closely related field, plus six years of highly relevant professional work experience in government and/or nonprofit/advocacy organizations, preferably focused on labor or workers? rights. For exceptional  candidates, three years of additional work experience may substitute for a graduate degree.

• Strong organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of labor and workplace policy issues, particularly in relation to state and local government, is highly preferred. 

• Government experience at the state or local level is highly preferred. 

• Strong project management skills and experience with executing complex projects 

• Experience working with diverse communities 

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex research projects, including policy evaluation and professional report writing.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are preferred, with the ability to confidently engage with high-level stakeholders from diverse sectors.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the proven ability to prioritize numerous tasks, act autonomously, and exercise sound judgment. 

Our office is located in New York City, and this position would be appropriate on a hybrid schedule (advance approval required regarding general parameters), with up to three remote days per week on a regular basis. Some domestic travel will be required.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two 5-10 page writing samples
• Three references

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is as follows:

$100,000 - $120,000. year, plus full NYU benefits, which include comprehensive healthcare and retirement.

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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