Our Environmental Science division is seeking an Environmental Justice Specialist to join their team. In this role, you will support Argonne in advancing the principles of environmental justice, social equity and inclusion, and equitable access to resources and opportunities. You will collaborate and coordinate with federal departments and agencies to provide strategic guidance in socially, culturally, environmentally, and economically-just planning processes, and meaningful engagement with disadvantaged communities; federally recognized American Indian Tribes (Tribes); Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs); Alaska Native Villages; and stakeholder groups such as friends’ groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and state and local agencies.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Engage and interact with other team members, federal agencies, Tribes, NHOs, Alaska Natives, NGOs, state and local agencies, and stakeholders at in-person and virtual events
- Assist in developing guidance to improve public meeting accessibility and foster an inclusive participation process
- Assess multi-scalar changes in socio-environmental relationships and how that impacts human well-being
- Assess cultural sensitivities and identify culturally specific communication needs
- Help ensure that interested Tribes, NHOs, Alaska Natives, NGOs, and other environmental community stakeholders are made aware of the activities related to their communities and are provided with opportunities to participate in any recommendations being developed or decisions being made
- Develop training materials, briefings, and presentations regarding the principles and applications of environmental justice
- Gather and document community feedback and input to inform future project directions
- Interpret federal environmental justice policy for training materials, briefings, and meetings
- Communicate effectively both in speaking and writing
- Actively listen to people from diverse backgrounds
- Write accurate and concise summaries or descriptions of events or discussions
- Lead collaborative data-sharing sessions by conveying complex thoughts and concepts in simple terms, encouraging stakeholders to engage in discourse with each other
- May assist in the collection, review, and analysis of data to characterize cultural landscapes and identify and evaluate the effects of human activities on cultural and natural resources (ethnographic, archaeological, and historical).
- May assist in the preparation and delivery of in-person and online training programs directed towards effective consultation with Tribal governments.
Position Requirements
- RD2: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience, or a Master's degree and 3+ years of experience, or a PhD, or equivalent.
- Proven experience in developing and conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research and analysis utilizing social science theory and methods that contribute towards improving equitable stakeholder engagement and environmentally-just outcomes.
- Proven experience in the identification and use of information on social science issues, social impact data and other types of socio-environmental data associated with federal planning, decisions, and actions.
- Proven experience in leading collaborative data-sharing sessions and/or facilitating training for groups of ten or more.
- Knowledge and skill in working in or with diverse communities.
- Knowledge of historic, cultural and tribal resource issues and challenges related to human activities and developments, such as energy generation, land development, and access to resources.
- Knowledge of current U.S. policy and guidance relevant to tribal-U.S. relations and environmental justice.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of archaeology, anthropology, and cultural resources management.
- Proficiency with Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint.
- Be comfortable presenting to groups of high-ranking individuals.
- Ability to obtain a government badge (HSPD-12) once employed. Other badging may be required as needed.
- Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Job Family
Research Development (RD)
Job Profile
Environmental Science and Engineering 2
Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type
Full time
As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
