*Please note this page is for full-time, permanent positions. If you would like to know more about our internship opportunities please visit our Internship Program page.
About the Bay Area Council
The Bay Area Council is one of California’s most influential public policy and advocacy organizations, working to maintain the Bay Area as the global center of innovation. Our almost 400 members include many of the region’s largest and most prominent companies. Through public policy and advocacy, we focus on advancing the region’s technology and innovation leadership, improving the overall business climate, building more housing, increasing investment in transportation, eliminating homelessness, enhancing public safety, modernizing our workforce, creating a more inclusive economy, and deepening our climate resilience, among other key initiatives. We consistently achieve results by bringing together top business, government and community leaders and implementing bold and actionable solutions.
Our San Francisco office is located on the Historic Klamath. The Bay Area Council transformed this mighty 100-year old ferry into not only into our headquarters but a floating symbol of our region’s deep connection with the Bay and the powerful spirit of innovation and creative thinking that has long defined the Bay Area. Your new office has stunning views, incredible architecture, gorgeous gardens, cutting edge technology, and stories upon stories to tell.
Our Mission
We engage business and civic-minded leaders to solve the most challenging regional issues to ensure the Bay Area is the most innovative, sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive place in the world.
Open Positions
Economic Institute Research Fellow (Part-Time) – Fall 2026
The Bay Area Council Economic Institute is seeking a Research Fellow to support two of its current initiatives: the Strong Shoreline Initiative, a multi-year regional resilience effort funded by the California State Coastal Conservancy, and a new regional economic profile project covering the Bay Area’s economic competitiveness, key industry clusters, and workforce trends.
This is an ideal opportunity for a graduate student seeking substantive, applied research experience with a respected regional economic and policy research organization. Exceptional advanced undergraduates will also be considered. The ideal candidate is dependably detail-oriented, committed to high-quality work, comfortable managing multiple concurrent workstreams, and enjoys working in a collaborative environment.
Job Responsibilities
The Research Fellow will work collaboratively with Economic Institute staff and project partners, splitting time between the Strong Shoreline Initiative and economic profile research. Specific tasks may include, but are not limited to:
Strong Shoreline Initiative
- Assisting with research and interviews for the Economic Institute’s forthcoming report on private investment and value-capture strategies for shoreline adaptation, including outreach to developers, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and project research partners;
- Supporting data collection and analysis on redevelopment potential in shoreline study areas across the South, East, and North Bay and the San Francisco Embarcadero;
- Contributing to the design and analysis of regional public opinion polling on shoreline adaptation funding options; and,
- Assisting with steering committee coordination, progress reporting, and other grant administration tasks.
Economic Profile Project
- Contributing to a new regional or local economic profile and competitiveness benchmarking study (similar to the Economic Institute’s 2020 Economic Profile);
- Conducting industry, employment, and demographic data analysis to support the profile’s findings; and,
- Assisting with narrative development, data visualization, and factchecking for the final report.
General
- Writing and editing memos, fact sheets, and report sections;
- Conducting ad hoc data analysis using applications such as Excel or STATA; and,
- Participating in stakeholder and expert interviews.
Minimum Qualifications
Currently enrolled in, or recently completed, a graduate program in economics, public policy, urban and regional planning, geography, environmental studies, or a related field is preferred; exceptional undergraduates pursuing similar concentrations and recent graduates will also be considered. Prior coursework or experience in economic development, environmental policy, or regional planning is a plus.
Other qualifications include:
- Excellent writing skills;
- Strong quantitative and analytical thinking;
- Proficiency with Excel required; experience with ArcGIS or other mapping/GIS tools, and/or STATA or other statistical software, preferred;
- Comfort engaging directly with external stakeholders, including government agency staff, developers, and community organizations; and,
- Interest in Bay Area economic, environmental, and public policy issues.
Compensation and Schedule
This is a part-time, temporary fellowship position. Compensation is $35 per hour, paid biweekly. Fellows are contracted to work an average of 15 hours per week, with a maximum of 20 hours per week. One primary workday will be set, with remaining hours scheduled flexibly in coordination with the Economic Institute team to accommodate academic commitments. This role does not include benefits.
The initial term of this Fellowship runs through year-end 2026, with the possibility of extension or renewal into 2027 given the multi-year timeline of the Strong Shoreline grant. The start date is flexible. The Research Fellow will report to Jeff Bellisario, Executive Director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute.
This is a hybrid position based at the Bay Area Council’s San Francisco headquarters. Research Fellows should expect to come into the office on their primary workday, and periodically for stakeholder meetings, steering committee convenings, and team collaboration. Must be a Northern California resident or have the ability to commute to San Francisco during the fellowship term.
About the Institute and the Council
The Bay Area Council Economic Institute is a chartered program of the Bay Area Council Foundation. Through its economic and policy research and partnerships over the last 30 years, the Economic Institute has addressed major issues including infrastructure, housing, homelessness, climate change, science and technology, and governance.
The Bay Area Council is an employer-sponsored, public policy advocacy organization for the nine-county Bay Area. The Council proactively advocates for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for everyone who lives in the Bay Area.
The Bay Area Council Economic Institute produces reports that include both quantitative and qualitative assessments of aspects of the Bay Area and California economies. Developing these reports requires significant coordination among individuals possessing a wide range of skills, including industry and employment analysis, basic data processing, as well as economic development and policy analysis across a range of issues and sectors.
How to Apply
Submit your application by filling out the following form: https://form.jotform.com/262587070704156
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, though priority will be given to candidates that apply by September 25, 2026. Please contact Jeff Bellisario at jbellisario@bayareacouncil.org with questions. Applications will not be accepted via email.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Bay Area Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender differences or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Answers to application questions will be used for applicable, job-related reasons only.
