Salary : $84,346.00 - $139,750.00 Annually
Location : 730 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
The anticipated hiring range is $84,346 - $112,048.
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill a Research & Policy Analyst, Senior position, within the Customer Service Division. This position is responsible for conducting advanced qualitative and quantitative data research to support and improve the development, evaluation, and implementation of policies and programs. The selected candidate will work directly with senior leadership and take the lead on collecting and analyzing data, generating reports, and developing evidence-based recommendations that inform policy decisions and strategic initiatives. The role serves as a data analytics subject matter expert, operates with a high level of autonomy, leads complex research and policy initiatives, and may serve as a team lead for other employees.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Conducting quantitative and qualitative research on issues and data relevant to the department;
• Designing and implementing surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other data collection methods;
• Analyzing statistical data and translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations;
• Preparing comprehensive reports, strategic planning documents, policy papers, dashboards, and high-level presentations;
• Researching best practices, policies, legislation, and regulations related to key areas;
• Evaluating the effectiveness and impact of current policies and programs and recommending adjustments as needed;
• Identifying trends, issues, opportunities, and potential funding resources related to key policy areas;
• Communicating research findings and recommendations to senior management, internal teams, external stakeholders, and the public;
• Coordinating with internal teams, government agencies, and external stakeholders on collaborative projects and essential programming;
• Managing complex research projects from inception through completion and ensuring timely delivery of results;
• Maintaining organized research findings and supporting documentation;
• Developing new analytical tools, models, research methodologies, and methodological improvements; and
• Training other employees on methodologies and program requirements

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Five to seven (5-7) years of experience in research and evaluation, policy analysis, strategic planning, project management, or a related field
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex research, policy analysis, program evaluation, or strategic planning initiatives;
• Experience developing evidence-based recommendations for senior leadership or executive decision-makers;
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, advanced statistical analysis, modeling, and policy evaluation techniques;
• Experience in quantitative reasoning, probability, and modeling
• Experience developing analytical tools, dashboards, executive-level reports, and presentations;
• Experience managing multiple large-scale projects and coordinating work across internal and external stakeholders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Policy analysis
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to area of interest
• Ethical research practices
• Advanced statistical analysis, modeling, and policy evaluation techniques

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Strong analytical and critical thinking
• Statistical software and data analysis tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Synthesizing complex information and presenting it clearly
• Organization and project management
• Training and knowledge transfer
• Developing analytical tools, dashboards, and high-level presentations

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Problem-solve and be detail oriented
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality
• Manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly finger, talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently walk; and occasionally stoop, reach, stand, push, pull, lift, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may contain environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.
01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following: Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Which best describes your years of professional experience in research and evaluation, strategic planning, project management, or a related field?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 7 years
• More than 7 years
• No experience

04

Do you have professional experience leading data driven complex research or initiatives from inception through completion?

• Yes
• No

05

In the space below, describe your experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Include the research methods you used, the type of data analyzed, and how the findings were applied.
06

In the space below, describe a complex data driven project that you led. Explain your role, the analysis performed, the recommendations developed, and how the results were communicated to leadership or stakeholders.
07

Do you have experience researching or evaluating legislation, regulations, policies, or best practices and assessing their potential organizational impact?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have experience developing executive-level reports, policy papers, dashboards, strategic planning documents, or presentations that translate complex information into actionable recommendations?

• Yes
• No

09

In the space below, describe your experience working directly with senior leadership, government agencies, internal departments, or external stakeholders to support policy, research, or strategic initiatives.
10

Do you have experience training or providing technical guidance to employees on research methods, analytical tools, policy requirements, or program processes?

• Yes
• No

Required Question