Senior Economist

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Economist is a professional, highly complex role in the Office of Financial Management’s Forecasting and Research Division. Under minimal supervision, the position conducts economic and revenue research, forecasts, and analyses, including in-depth technical analysis and broad assignments for the Governor, Governor’s senior staff, OFM staff, the Legislature, and legislative agencies. Work addresses issues and policies affecting the state budget and policy development. The position develops economic and revenue forecasts, analyzes complex issues, creates econometric models to forecast tax and fee revenues, supports the Washington State Input-Output Model, and communicates findings through written products and presentations. The role is hybrid, based at OFM’s physical office in Olympia, Washington, with most work allowing telework. Travel for in-person activities, meetings, and events is required as business needs require.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge and applied skills in quantitative economic research and forecasting, including descriptive and multivariate statistics and econometric modeling techniques.
Working knowledge of state and national economic and employment data, inflation measures, and indices.
Competence in data analysis using statistical and spreadsheet software such as R, SAS, EViews, Gauss, and Microsoft Excel.
Ability to convert data and analysis into practical, understandable information.
Experience using, maintaining, and updating input-output models.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, including explaining complex data and analysis to audiences with limited knowledge of research, economics, and statistical methods.
Experience managing multiple projects effectively without close supervision.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. or another graduate degree in economics or another quantitative research field.
Approximately three or more years of experience conducting economic research studies, forecasting, and/or data analysis in a government setting.

Responsibilities

Conduct assigned economic and revenue data and trend forecasts and analyses, including annual short-term net migration and long-term labor force and nonfarm employment forecasts.
Prepare quarterly state revenue forecasts for internal use.
Produce annual county-level Median Household Income estimates.
Prepare annual Washington Trends chapters covering economic trends, population changes, socioeconomic conditions, budget drivers, revenues, and expenditures.
Produce weekly and monthly reports on economic trends for agency leadership; collaborate with ESD, ERFC, DFI, and Commerce on the monthly report, which is shared externally on OFM’s website.
Fulfill ad hoc data requests and produce briefing papers and other work products.
Analyze complex economic and revenue issues and create econometric models to forecast tax and fee revenues.
Produce ad hoc analyses and reports for OFM budget and Governor’s policy staff, legislators, and legislative staff on topics such as tax policy changes, business costs, county expenditures and revenues, aerospace and technology developments, housing markets, and labor markets.
Help prepare fiscal notes, present findings in legislative committee work sessions, and fulfill other requests during legislative sessions.
Support development, maintenance, and use of the Input-Output Model as requested by the Lead Senior Economist; collaborate in construction and maintenance of the Washington State Input-Output Model.
Annually update CPI and Producer Price Indexes for the 52 Input-Output sectors.
Use the Input-Output Model to analyze job impacts of capital projects for other agencies and prepare other Input-Output analyses as needed.
Produce clear reports, briefs, presentations, infographics, and other products that meet statutory, accessibility, and agency requirements and address the needs of specific audiences.
Present findings in venues including meetings with the Governor, legislative committee work sessions, internal and external agency meetings, and conferences.