Our Mission: 

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve the quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. With locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix; and Beijing, we organize our work around six goals: low-carbon, climate-resilient communities and regions; efficient and equitable tax systems; reduced poverty and spatial inequality; fiscally healthy communities and regions; sustainably managed land and water resources; and functional land markets and reduced informality.

 

Position Overview:

The Institute conducts research and policy analysis on drivers of land and property value, land-use change, and the suitability for land conservation to help partners design and implement land policy solutions. You will provide research and logistical support to the Executive Director, Research and Cross-Cutting Initiatives and other unit teams within the Institute to prioritize pressing needs and execute analyses related to the role of land in promoting greater equity and social-environmental sustainability. You will contribute to initiatives to leverage geospatial tools, data, and products in service of the Institute’s mission and dissemination efforts of that content via publications, courses, conferences, or workshops.

This position is full time (37.5 hours/week) and exempt working regularly in our Cambridge, MA office. This position has been budgeted for a two-year project with the hopes of extension beyond.

 

What You’ll Do – Produce

• Prioritize and plan research activities related to housing markets and urban growth in alignment with others


• Assist in developing strategies to employ geospatial data and tools to support various projects, and in translating these findings to various audiences and partners.


• Obtain, organize and process geospatial datasets; work with a variety of spatial data including satellite imagery and aerial photography; national, state and local vector data, and transform into usable formats.


• Develop libraries of code in Python and R for the use in multiple land market and urban growth applications.


• Take initiative to collect new program ideas and explore collaborative programmatic opportunities with other teams and programs across the Institute.


• Help prepare, assemble, and disseminate materials for convenings or other events.


• Partner with staff in other units at Lincoln (particularly with Land and Fiscal Systems, CGS and LAC) to share insights of their project priorities.

 

What You’ll Do – Manage and Implement

• Independently execute assigned tasks, such as spatial data acquisition and analysis, development of maps or other visuals products, writing of research or technical reports, while ensuring that all activities are coordinated and completed on time with internal and external partners.


• Create, quality check, coordinate and update geospatial information for assigned projects.


• Help document and track all program activities; take comprehensives notes at meetings or events.

• Schedule and coordinate internal and external convenings, events, meetings and other gatherings in coordination with Events Team staff.


• Aid special projects and other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Graduate degree in geography, planning, economic policy, or related field; or undergraduate degree with equivalent professional experience.

•  3-5 years of progressive experience in data analysis, including collecting, aggregating, managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data.


• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical, econometric and geospatial analytics with large datasets.


• Experience using Python, R or Stata for statistical analysis.


• Experience using tools for version control (Git, GitHub, GitLab and similar).


• Experience using ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Pro or equivalent GIS software and its extensions.


• Critical thinking/problem solving skills and disposition to propose new/creative approaches to difficult issues.


• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and creatively.


• Demonstrated research skills.


• Strong communication and presentation skills.


• Professional demeanor with positive, collegial, and collaborative leadership skills for multidisciplinary programs.


• Task-oriented work ethic, responsiveness to deadlines, and a commonsense approach to moving projects and agendas forward.


• Integrity and sound judgment.


• Spanish and Portuguese strongly preferred.

 

Compensation Overview 

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 – Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program. 

 

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest to join the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

 

Our Values

Cooperation and Teamwork, Forthright Feedback, Initiative, Acceptance of Responsibility, Multicultural Sensitivity

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures with respect to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, or terminations, on the basis of individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, length of hair, protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses), color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by law or otherwise. 

 

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

 

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

 

MA Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.