Careers

Special Note

This position is full-time, overtime exempt, an “at-will” appointment, and exempt from Washington State Civil Service rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements. These exempt positions serve at the discretion of the WSIPP Director. We are recruiting four Research Associate positions, all with an expected start date of July 1, 2024.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy Profile

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is a nonpartisan public research group located in Olympia, the hub of the Washington State government. WSIPP is a team of multidisciplinary researchers who conduct applied policy research for the state legislature in a creative and collaborative environment.

WSIPP is strongly committed to the core values of nonpartisanship, quality, and impartiality. Created in 1983, WSIPP has become nationally and internationally recognized for the design, depth, and quality of its research reports and benefit-cost analyses.

Position Purpose

Research Associates conduct research on public policy topics. The work primarily involves literature reviews, meta- analysis, data and fiscal analysis, report writing, and presentations. In addition, Research Associates may assist in designing and implementing outcome evaluations and benefit-cost analyses. The position involves collaboration with other WSIPP researchers and consultation with state legislative members, legislative staff, state agency staff, external researchers, and other stakeholders.

This position operates under the general direction of WSIPP leadership and various project leads. The ideal candidate will have a background in policy analysis and a broad interest in evidence-based public policy; be a self-starter; be comfortable with ambiguity; possess strong quantitative, data analytical, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills; and have an eagerness to learn.

Nature and Scope

WSIPP conducts research at the direction of the state legislature or its Board of Directors. Research areas include public health, criminal justice, early learning, K-12 education, higher education, child welfare, behavioral health, and health care.

The successful candidate for the advertised position will be responsible for participating in a variety of research assignments, including outcome evaluations, literature reviews, and quantitative analyses of state administrative data. This position is expected to be flexible and adaptable in supporting more than one of WSIPP’s current assignments and will likely need to pivot as new assignments are received.