Economist (EDR)

The Florida Legislature Office of Economic & Demographic Research

About the role

This is a full-time economist position within the Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The position has primary responsibility for evaluating state economic development programs and assists in the analysis of fiscal policy proposals. The position operates and maintains economic models of Florida and analyzes, interprets, and reports the results of such models. The position also conducts return-on-investment and cost-benefit analyses of economic development programs and fiscal policy proposals. The position conducts research, including literature reviews, of economic topics impacting the state’s economy.

Responsibilities

• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates existing and proposed Florida programs involving economic incentives, economic development, and fiscal policy.
• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates existing Florida programs which have statutory requirements for return on investment or cost-benefit reporting.
• Assists in maintaining and enhancing the statewide economic model.
• Assists in updating and balancing the database for the statewide economic model.
• Locates and compiles relevant state, local, and federal data into a usable format.
• Assists in testing the statewide economic model.
• Assists in analysis of state revenue and industry linkages.
• Assists in analysis of state expenditures and industry linkages.
• Performs and reviews economic analyses using the statewide economic model.
• Performs and reviews return on investment and cost-benefit analyses.
• Participates in special impact estimating conferences.
• Researches literature for information and concepts to use in the statewide model.
• Compiles literature reviews of existing policy analyses using economic models.
• Compiles literature reviews of existing policy analyses using return on investment and cost-benefit techniques.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of economic theory at an advanced level.
• Knowledge of statistics.
• Knowledge of forecasting and projection techniques.
• Knowledge of social science research practices and standards.
• Knowledge of computer software used in economic models.
• Knowledge of computer software used in database management and quantitative analysis.
• Knowledge of basic financial analysis principles.
• Knowledge of data sources used in economic and demographic analysis.
• Knowledge of the law governing the revenues or caseloads being forecast.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to prepare economic-related charts, tables, slides, and other graphic presentations of data.
• Ability to explain and defend forecasts before other forecasters.
• Ability to present technical materials to non-technical audiences in both written and oral forms.
• Ability to work effectively with other staff.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret economic data.
• Ability to organize economic data into logical format.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and five years of professional research experience in one or more of the following areas: revenue or caseload forecasting, demographic forecasting; program research for a governmental agency, research institute, or consulting firm; or full-time instruction and/or research at a college or university in any of the following areas: social sciences, business or public administration, mathematics, or statistics.

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in economics, business or public administration, mathematics, statistics, or any of the social sciences can substitute for one year of the required experience. A doctorate from an accredited college or university in economics, business or public administration, mathematics, statistics, or any of the social sciences can substitute for two years of the required experience.

Benefits

The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.