Director, Public Policy Analysis (Hybrid)

Opportunity to Impact Emerging Regulatory and Policy Issues

Perform analysis and research on key issues important for the U.S. manufacturers of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products. This position serves as the primary resource to prepare quantitative and economic assessments of policy issues facing the industry.

Location

This is a hybrid position with both in-office and remote work. The selected person will be expected to regularly work two days in the Washington, DC office at 11th and K Street, NW. In-office workdays may increase based on business needs.

Working at AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas, and different perspectives to reach our goals and support work/life balance.

Essential Functions

• Analyze bills, regulations, policy proposals, scientific/technical reports, standards, data, and reports from legislators, government agencies, think tanks, academia, non-governmental organizations, etc.
• Identify potential impacts/opportunities for the paper and wood products industry and develop quantitative policy arguments. Examples include fiber supply impacts, tax credit opportunities, carbon credit impacts, etc.
• Perform quantitative analysis and develop analytical reports on policy issues facing the industry. Examples include the carbon benefits of the industry, job impacts, and value chain multipliers.
• Collaborate with AF&PA Statistics Team to utilize industry data in support of policy analysis.
• Help design and support research projects on policy issues such as economic and employment impacts of environmental regulations, as well as the carbon benefits of bioenergy and industry products.
• Manage outside consultants working on policy analysis and economic studies for AF&PA.
• Help draft comments and testimony related to international regulatory issues, particularly from the European Union.
• Keep up with literature and research from other organizations on the forest products industry.
• Interface with think tanks on various industry-related issues.
• Deliver presentations to industry and non-industry audiences.
• Help respond to member company inquiries regarding policy issues facing the paper and wood products industry.

Qualifications

We recognize few individuals may have all the qualifications listed below. If your experience is a good match for the role, and you meet most of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in economics, public policy, environmental science, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of relevant experience required.
• Experience analyzing federal regulations, including their economic impact; preferably related to manufacturing.
• Ability to effectively perform research, analyze policy, and contribute to policy development.
• Working knowledge/familiarity with climate/carbon policies and government databases. Examples include EPA carbon accounting, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, carbon markets, forest carbon offsets and credits, social cost of carbon, GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets, cap and trade policies, USDA’s Forest and Inventory Analysis (FIA) program, and datasets from government agencies such as the Energy Information Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Commerce, and Department of Labor.
• Knowledge of major sectors of the forest products industry value chain, including paper products, wood products, and forestry preferred.
• High degree of analytical ability with respect to economics and statistics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate issues to multiple audiences, from generalists to technical experts.
• Skilled at using Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work as an effective team member.
• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with high-quality execution and performance.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is expected to be between $148,000-$185,000. This is a good-faith estimate based on market data for comparable positions and the current budgeted amount for this role. Factors to be considered when determining the salary of the selected candidate include relevant skills, experience, and knowledge, and the alignment of these qualities with those of existing staff.

AF&PA offers a generous benefits package, which currently includes:

• Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year, plus holidays
• Four Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plan options (including our most popular plan that covers 100% of the employee premium and 94% of the cost to add family members)
• Generous retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution after a waiting period
• Free access to a new 7,000 sqft fitness center with Pelotons, Mirror Fitness, weights, and more
• Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account

Location

This is a hybrid position that includes two days of remote work. Our current location is at 11th and K NW, Washington, DC, and we will be moving at the end of the year to 13th and G, NW (above Metro Station).

About AF&PA

AF&PA serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycled resources, generate renewable bioenergy, and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future.

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, produces nearly $350 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states.

Learn more here