Research Project Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Statement of Duties
The Operations & Systems Project Assistant will provide project management and implementation support to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The CAO serves a dual role as part of the Executive Office, and as Department Head for 7 divisions in the Operations & Systems Department. The Project Assistant will be responsible for providing comprehensive support focused on the following areas: policy analysis and research, code drafting, data analysis, system evaluation, technology development and implementation. This position requires the ability to communicate directly with department and divisional leadership, and to synthesize data and information to make recommendations.
Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Day-to-day duties will vary. Based on anticipated key projects, essential functions include:
1. Liaising with department and divisional leadership to understand and document policies, processes, and standard operating procedures
2. Using SharePoint to develop and create repositories for storing and sharing information
3. Working with department and divisional staff to evaluate systems, identify areas for improvement, and develop instructions for use
4. Conducting research on policies, synthesizing data, and documenting findings to inform recommendations
5. Conducting research on organizational structure and departmental requirements and duties
6. Drafting administrative orders
7. Providing general administrative support, including data entry and document management
8. Engaging in learning opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of local government operations, legislative processes, and public policy
Recommended Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Currently enrolled in a graduate program of study with a focus on Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related area; a bachelor's degree with one to three (1-3) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively perform the essential functions of the job.
Must possess and demonstrate excellent project management, writing and documentation skills.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skill
A strong candidate will possess the following:

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability and willingness to learn technical and other skills quickly.
• Understanding of the methods of legal, legislative, and policy research.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, tailored to various audiences.

Work Environment
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employees may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.
Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.
Physical Skills: Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as ledgers or photocopy and computer paper (up to 30lbs.).
Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting of materials.
Visual Demands: Routinely reads documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.
Hours: 15-19 hours per week, during City Hall working hours. The primary work location will be in the Executive Office of the Mayor in City Hall. This position will also require travel to other city offices.
Salary: $25 per hour. Not benefits-eligible.
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: August 24th, 2026
The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.