Program Research Specialist 1 Economics Finance

Office of the New York State Comptroller • Albany, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Research Specialist 1 Economics Finance participates in and assists with research studies relating to economic and financial factors, including rate-setting methodology, aid formulas and distribution, payment schedules to educational institutions, taxation, real property tax levies, and Medicaid reimbursement. The incumbent serves as a policy analyst in the Office of the State Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability, producing reports and other deliverables to inform local government policymaking. The role evaluates agency programs using current research methodology and presents findings to operations and management officials.

The position is in the Bureau of Information, Research and Training. It is a full-time competitive-class appointment listed as contingent-permanent, with a Monday–Friday workweek and first-shift hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telecommuting is allowed subject to agency approval and operational needs; new employees are generally restricted from telecommuting for at least eight calendar weeks, and approved employees may telecommute up to five days per pay period. Compressed workweeks are allowed, and mandatory overtime is not required. Travel is listed as 0%.

The position may be filled at the trainee or full-performance level depending on the candidate’s education, experience, and previous state service. Candidates hired at a trainee level advance to the full-performance level after successful completion of the traineeship. Salary is nonnegotiable.

Requirements

• For appointment at the full Program Research Specialist 1 level: a bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by nine semester credit hours in statistics, biostatistics, economics, econometrics, mathematics, research methods, data analysis, data science, or data modeling.
• For appointment at the full Program Research Specialist 1 level: two years of professional research experience collecting, manipulating, and evaluating quantitative data for review, analysis, and presentation related to program operations.
• For appointment under the competitive minimum qualifications, candidates must be reachable on the appropriate eligible list, eligible under the 55 b/c program, or eligible to transfer under applicable sections of Civil Service Law.
• Ability to think and work independently.
• Strong analytical skills, including critical reasoning, empirical analysis, quantitative reasoning, and statistical inference.
• Strong data skills, including data preparation, data analysis, and data visualization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and organize information and present it clearly, concisely, grammatically, and appropriately for the intended audience.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with local government operations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research studies and assist in developing studies related to economic and financial factors.
• Evaluate and analyze economic, financial, and other data, including agency programs.
• Share findings in reports, charts, and presentations for operations and management officials.
• Conduct background research and synthesize information to provide context on issues studied.
• Respond to requests for information and analysis.
• Produce reports and other deliverables to inform local government policymaking.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level