Career Overview
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Also Known As
- Climate Analyst
- Climate and Energy Program Associate
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Policy Analyst
Alternate Job Titles
- Clean Energy Policy Analyst
- Climate Advisor
- Climate Analyst
- Climate and Energy Program Associate
- Climate Change Analyst
- Climate Change Risk Assessor
- Climate Change Specialist
- Climate Economist
- Cumulative Effects Analyst
- Ecological Risk Assessor
- Environmental Change Analyst
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Environmental Risk Assessor
- Global Climate Change Analyst
- Global Climate Change Researcher
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Law and Government
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Evaluation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Perl
- Python
- R
Tools & Equipment
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- High-performance cluster HPC computers
- Laptop computers
- Mainframe computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Climate Change Policy Analysts.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $50,130 |
| Median | $80,060 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $134,830 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 84,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Chief Sustainability Officers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $206,420
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $80,060
Industrial Ecologists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $80,060
Environmental Economists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $115,440
Sustainability Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $81,270
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.