06/15/2007 05653

STATE ECONOMIST

DEFINITION:

This is professional and managerial work in the research, analysis, manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of economic information.

The employee in this job directs, through subordinate supervisors, the planning and presentation of economic research studies to include the agency’s position on proposed legislation with economic implications. Work involves determining the need for and scope of economic studies; managing the monitoring of economic trends and the development of forecasts and impact analyses; advising staff on the development and application of economic principles to studies and continuously evaluating and modifying methodologies; ensuring that reports and presentations of economic information in graphic and written form clearly describe issues and outlook in response to agency and public needs; and determining agency or program reporting requirements and priorities. Work also involves providing consultative services to a variety of internal and external entities by advising on methodology, baseline projections and fiscal consequences, and resolving questions on economic trends and impacts; preparing and delivering speeches, presentations, seminars, press conferences, and other public contact services to disseminate information regarding Pennsylvania’s economic situation to executives, legislators, economic developers, businesses, and the public; working with the United States Department of Labor to implement, coordinate, or assist in developing policy impacting Pennsylvania’s employment situation; and explaining the impact of report findings to other governmental officials, state agencies, other states, private business enterprises, and the public. The employee in this job has significant contact with various stakeholders at the national, state, and local levels to obtain or provide information affecting the selection of public policy alternatives in Pennsylvania. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in determining the specific goals, objectives, and program priorities. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor for effectiveness of staff utilization, impact of reports on agency operations, and adherence to agency policies regarding information and release.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Confers with public and private industry representatives to keep abreast of new developments, secure cooperation, convey information, and determine the need for and scope of projects and special studies.

Communicates with national, state, and local agencies, government officials, commissions, boards, legislators, educational and research institutions, consultants, and the national business sector to obtain and provide information affecting the selection of public policy alternatives in Pennsylvania.

Provides consultative services to agency management and executives, legislators, economic developers, and businesses.

Provides professional and technical assistance to other government or community organizations by preparing studies of economic conditions or regional reports to include the wide range of socio-economic data available, explaining the usefulness and limitations of data in research or operating programs, and suggesting how it may be integrated into their research, operating programs, or business plans.

Manages the exchange of economic data between internal and external entities including but not limited to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Revenue, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau, educational associations, the International Monetary Fund, the International Civil Service Commission, the Department of Public Welfare, and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Works with the United States Department of Labor to implement, coordinate, or assist in developing policy impacting Pennsylvania’s employment situation.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, activities related to the preparation of a variety of written summaries, interpretive analyses, reports, and special studies relevant to policy issues with economic implications.

Directs and participates in the writing of speeches and other public presentations through a diversity of media for the secretary, top departmental officials, the legislature, and the public.

Provides information regarding Pennsylvania’s economic climate to national, state, and local agencies, government officials, commissions, boards, legislators, educational and research institutions, consultants, and the national business sector.

Evaluates reports and publications for adherence to established requirements and effectiveness in providing information and guidance to administrators and the public.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of economic principles and theories.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of economic analysis.

Knowledge of statistical sampling methods used in economics.

Knowledge of the sources of information utilized in economic analysis such as economic journals, working papers, and government and non-government data sources.

Knowledge of mathematic modeling techniques.

Knowledge of econometric modeling techniques.

Knowledge of research techniques such as literature reviews, proposal writing, methods of statistical analysis (e.g. sample methods, risk analysis, linear programming, and cost-benefit analysis), and hypothesis testing.

Knowledge of methods for presenting statistical findings and conclusions in tabular, graphic, and narrative form.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

Ability to interpret and summarize economic data.

Ability to analyze written and numerical information related to economics.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

One year as an Economist Supervisor;

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Four years of experience researching, analyzing, interpreting or presenting economic information that includes one year in a supervisory capacity; and a bachelor’s degree that includes 18 credits in economics;

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Three years of experience researching, analyzing, interpreting or presenting economic information that includes one year in a supervisory capacity; and a master’s degree in economics;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience supervising professional economists.