Chief Economist

Salary: $31.38 - $51.16 Hourly
Location : Salt Lake County, UT
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 39543
Agency: 600 Department of Workforce Services
Unit: 1154 Economist Products
Opening Date: 11/21/2023
Closing Date: 12/10/2023 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Recruiter: Michelle Campbell ~ dmcampb@utah.gov ~ 801-526-4333
# of Openings: 1
Background Check: You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Career Mobility: This position may be filled as a career mobility.
Location: This is a telework position but will require some in office at the Department of Workforce Services - Olene Walker Building - 140 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah
Schedule Code: AX - Employees in supervisory positions - This is a career service exempt at will position.
Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%20Rules
EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.
Job Description
The Workforce Research and Analysis (WRA) Division with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to fill the Chief Economist position. This person will manage the programs provided under the federal Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Workforce Information Grant to States (WIGS). This person will supervise the Labor Market Information (LMI) Economic Analysis team that strengthens Utah's economy by supporting the economic stability and quality of our workforce. The LMI team serve as consultants and experts for the State of Utah labor
market economy. Expertise is necessary in one of the following: Local economics, occupational projections and wage information or economic indicators, unemployment rates, job growth rates and industry projections.
Principle Duties
Employees in this position will perform the following tasks:

• Researching, developing, analyzing and disseminating labor-related economic information pertinent to the State of Utah as well as economic analysis upon Workforce Services programs and services.
• Collects data and reviews research materials, determines accuracy and validity of sources and appropriateness for use.
• Prepares and coordinates issuance of public statements to the media and the general public.
• Responds to inquiries and requests made by senior leadership, committees, subcommittees, state and local government staff, and/or agencies.
• Conducts organizational and management improvement studies as assigned by the office management.
• Performs research activities by utilizing computer software to obtain and manipulate data.
• Retrieves data found in databases to generate requested reports.
• Designs, develops, and conducts a variety of research projects; determines appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, and data collection tools.
• Answers technical questions regarding data, trends or results from studies.
• Acts as a resource to provide information or determine the most effective way of meeting the informatics needs of management, staff, clients or customers.
• Represents the department and Executive Director at various meeting and presentation activities.
• May serve on national committees representing the interests of the state, department, or areas of specialization affiliated with the Workforce Research and Analysis Division.
• May provide data for internal and external legislative requests.
• May represent the department as the expert on Utah's labor markets.
• Manages a research program; directs the research and/or analysis of projects by establishing priorities, setting goals, and developing research standards.
• Coordinates or leads program activities, services, and/or program implementation.
• Regularly presents final recommendations and issues directly to senior management, boards, commissions, local governments, or the legislature.
• Develops and implements procedures in response to agency policy, state and federal laws.
• Develops approaches for implementation of an idea, program or change in operations.
• Interprets, clarifies, explains and applies agency policy and procedures, business practices, federal or state laws and regulations.
• Evaluates all aspects of research projects, project findings, and operational data regarding technical merits and implications.
• Writes policy and position papers, technical reports, articles or related material based on research, investigation or analysis.
• Designs, develops, and conducts a variety of research projects; determines appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, and data-collection tools.
• Analyzes, summarizes and/or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and/or makes recommendations.
• Facilitates the use of research data to improve existing programs and utilization of resources.
• Testifies at hearings to provide pertinent agency information and technical support.
• Participates in conferences on technical improvements; reviews literature pertinent to research objectives, design, data-collection, and project implementation.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines.
• Develops or modifies rules, policies, or standards.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions related to public information.
• Supervises and/or leads subordinate personnel.
• Over the course of a year, there will be some in-state and out-of-state travel associated with this position.

The Ideal Candidate
The model applicant for this position is someone who has:

• At least 4 years working experience in Economics with an emphasis in statistics or math.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Economics or Statistics.
• Expert knowledge in any of the following:
  o industry and occupational projections
  o wage information or economic indicators
  o unemployment rates
  o social programs
• Knowledge of economic principles and practices, labor market information, and the analysis and reporting of economic data.
• Presents analysis results and makes recommendations to senior management and policymakers.
• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role which includes effective people management, including mentoring, coaching and performance management.
• Passion for working with data.
• The ability to help remove roadblocks for team members.
• Experience and knowledge in program and project management practices.
• Highly proficient in written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• The ability to present complex subject matter to business partners and customers.
• Knowledge of principles, theories and practices of computer data storage, retrieval and/or restoration.
• Functional knowledge of statistical software packages such as R, SAS, STRATA, or other statistical and economic analysis platforms.
• Functional knowledge of SQL or other query languages.
• An advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites, specifically with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with government data systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.

Why You Should Join Our Team
Besides working for a fantastic agency that is dedicated to helping the citizens of Utah, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. to view a summary of benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance.
The Agency
The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah's communities by connecting the
workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need.
Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahn's and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahn's trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services,
DHRM rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current state of Utah employees.
Benefits:
The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click
FMLA General Notice:
(right click + open link in new tab)
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01
Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.

• State of Utah job site (www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah)
• Referred by a Friend or Family
• Indeed
• Other External Job Board or Site
• LinkedIn
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• DWS job website (www.jobs.utah.gov)
• Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc.)
• Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
• University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc.)
• Contacted by a Recruiter
• Career or Job Fair
• Internship
• Interviewed for different position
• Internal communications (Agency/Division, etc.)
• Jobwise
• Other (not listed above)

02
Please review our Equal Opportunity Law Notice before applying to this job. https://jobs.utah.gov/department/contact/eo.html

• I acknowledge that I have read the Equal Opportunity Law Notice.

03
This position will require a criminal background check and access to confidential BCI information.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the statement above.

04
Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.The interview selection process is based on your answers to the application questions. Your answers to the questions on this application should be specific to the question that was asked and must be supported by your resume or work history otherwise you may not receive credit. Failure to answer the application questions completely and appropriately may result in disqualification, this includes copy/pasting your resume instead of answering the question. "See resume" or "see work history" are not acceptable answers to any question.Do you understand and agree to follow the above statement?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you a current employee of the State of Utah?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you a current employee for the Department of Workforce Services?

• Yes
• No

07
How many years of working experience do you have in Economics with an emphasis in statistics or math.

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One completed year
• Two completed years
• Three completed years
• Four completed years
• Five or more completed years

08
Please describe your experience working as an economist. Include employer(s) and date(s) of employment where you received this experience.
09
Preference may be given to applicants with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Economics or Statistics. Do you have a degree in Economics or Statistics?

• Yes
• No

10
Provide details of your educational background including the type of degree you have and in what field of study.
11
How many years of experience do you have supervising others? Including: hiring, determining workload, delegating assignments, training, monitoring, evaluating performance and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions.

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One completed year
• Two completed years
• Three completed years
• Four completed years
• Five or more completed years

12
Please briefly describe your experience supervising others. Include names of employers, duties and dates of employment.
13
How many years of experience do you have in managing research or other major projects?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One completed year
• Two completed years
• Three completed years
• Four completed years
• Five or more completed years

14
Please briefly describe your experience managing research or other major projects. Include names of employers, duties and dates of employment.
15
Select from the list below all subjects that you have expertise knowledge in.

• Industry and Occupational Projections
• Wage Information or Economic Indicators
• Unemployment Rates
• Job Growth
• Social Programs
• None of the above

16
Describe where you gained your knowledge of these subjects to justify your previous selection(s).
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