Associate

For 25 years, California Environmental Associates has helped transform markets, business practices, public policies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic strategies to achieve positive outcomes for the environment. CEA has extensive experience and an intricate knowledge of key environmental issues, including marine conservation, climate change, energy policy, sustainable agriculture, forest management, goods movement, air quality, toxic chemicals, and land-use planning.

CEA's Philanthropic Services practice area helps strengthen the philanthropic community by designing, managing and evaluating environmental grants and investments. CEA provides tactical and strategic advice to foundations and nonprofit organizations by drawing upon our deep knowledge of environmental challenges and solutions. We help donors and organizations leverage their investments, improve performance, and achieve their conservation goals.

Position Overview:

CEA is looking for an Associate to provide support to the firm's Philanthropic Services practice area. The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of large and complex consulting engagements for clients, including large environmentally focused foundations, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral agencies. The work deals with complex issues and uses private sector tools and strategies in the service of the environment, including cap and trade systems, certification systems, conservation finance transactions, etc.

CEA's work environment is challenging, collegiate, fast-paced, and team-oriented. The Associate will have the opportunity to serve on a wide variety of client assignments on some of the most pressing environmental issues, with special emphasis initially on work in marine conservation.

The position requires intellectual rigor, independence, superb analytical skills, demonstrated attention to detail, and a passion for environmental issues. Excellent communication skills-written, verbal, and interpersonal-are required; experience in client relations is strongly preferred. This position will offer opportunities for interaction with leaders in the environmental sector, both nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities:

The Associate will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Participate in problem structuring, including work planning, issues analysis, process planning, etc., and collaborate with colleagues to carry out project tasks.
• Conduct in-depth research, including literature reviews, interviews with issue experts and stakeholders, and data collection.
• Synthesize research to produce clear and engaging presentations and reports.
• Conduct quantitative analyses as needed (Excel-based modeling and data analysis).
• Ensure quality control of outgoing work products and correspondence.
• Interact with clients and manage client interactions.
• Assist in marketing efforts, helping in the production of summary memos, proposals, and presentations as needed.

Qualifications:

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a field requiring complex analytical/quantitative methods and skills
• 3+ years of experience in a comparable role with a consultancy, nonprofit organization, or investment bank
• A history of involvement in analytically complex projects and the ability to synthesize large amounts of data
• Outstanding research, analytical, writing, and editing skills
• Superb PowerPoint and presentation skills a plus
• Strong Excel modeling skills coupled with a solid understanding of and interest in data and metrics
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with senior management
• Knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following areas strongly preferred: marine conservation and/or fisheries (highly desirable), climate change, energy, land and wildlife conservation, sustainable agriculture, forestry, or air quality
• Experience in client services or a management consulting firm strongly preferred, project management experience a plus
• Professionalism, poise, and the ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and manage multiple, often competing, tasks
• An insightful, curious, pragmatic, and strategic mind
• Willingness to travel
• A deep commitment to the conservation-related mission of CEA

Compensation: CEA offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located at our offices in downtown San Francisco, CA.

CEA is an equal opportunity employer.