(1) Full-time position

The Labor Market and Economic Analysis Branch of Employment Security Department provides businesses, individuals and other customers with the labor market information they need to succeed in a changing economy. The Economic Analyst position contributes to the achievement of the organization’s mission by conducting comprehensive economic and labor market research, delivering LMEA products and services at the local and state level, providing technical support to clients, and operating as the informational and communications link between the department, the customers, and the general public.

The opportunity
This position is within the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Research Center of the Operations Support Unit of Labor Market & Economic Analysis Branch of Employment Security Department. This position provides sound, well documented, and technologically sophisticated forecasts of the UI trust fund. This includes forecasting of UI claimants, benefits, and UI tax revenues and determining the impact of various law changes on the UI trust fund. The advisory stakeholders for this unit include: department and UI managers, UI Advisory Committee, Office of Financial Management, and legislators.

Major duties
The essential functions of this position are listed below:

• Demonstrate competency in econometric analysis and possess sophisticated data base and data manipulation skills.
• Provide written and oral presentations of the forecast and its components to both technical and lay audiences, and serve as an expert on the UI trust fund model.
• Provide to customers technical advice and information about economic, employment, or labor-market data, forecasts, statistics, or study results.
• Independently plan and conduct studies and projects to research and analyze specific issues, impacts, trends, and cause-effect relationships.
• Prepare articles, reports, briefing papers, and other written materials about economic, employment, labor-market, or public policy issues or study findings for use by federal, state, and local government, businesses, elected officials, the public, Workforce and Economic Development Councils, or other customers.
• Create summary tables, graphs, and charts to display statistical calculations and results.

Required qualifications
Skills and abilities / competencies that are required upon entry to the position:

• Mastery level knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts of micro- and macro-economics.
• Mastery level knowledge of math and statistics.
• Working level knowledge of economic, employment, and labor market information.
• Working level knowledge of economic factors that influence or are influenced by changes in the workforce.
• Mastery level analytical skill - Use logic and reasoning to assess data, form logical conclusions, evaluate options, and make decisions or recommendations.
• Mastery level research skill - Identify, collect, organize, and document data in ways that make the information most useful for assessment, analysis, investigation, and drawing conclusions.
• Working level reading comprehension skill - Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents, and apply what is learned from written material to specific work situations.
• Mastery level writing skill - Convey information in writing according to the needs of the audience.
• Mastery level oral communication skill - Convey information orally according to the needs of the audience, and receive and understand spoken information.
• Working level personal computer skill - Use computer hardware and software to complete assignments.
• Working level customer service skill – Build and maintain customer satisfaction with products and services.
  
  *See matrix for further explanation of competency levels.

Desired qualifications
Skills and abilities / competencies that are preferred or desired upon entry to the position.

• Working level knowledge of ESD and LMEA programs, products, and services.
• Working level knowledge of mandates, policies, rules, regulations, and laws related to economic research and analysis, including confidentiality requirements.
• Mastery level knowledge of economic, employment, and labor market information.
• Mastery level knowledge of economic factors that influence or are influenced by changes in the workforce.
• Planning skill - Integrate ideas and data to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, and action plans to conduct research studies.
• Workload management skill - Organize assignments, work efficiently, remain focused, and handle interruptions effectively.
• Innovation – Adapt existing products and develop new ones to meet customer needs.
• Attention to detail - Produce accurate, thorough, quality work products containing few if any errors.
• Confidentiality and Professionalism - Share information only with those authorized, keep commitments made to others, avoid conflicts of interest, and use good judgment about the use of confidential data intended for agency administrative and research purposes. 

Education, training and/or experience
The level of knowledge and skill required is typically achieved after:

Four to five years of experience in the Economic Analyst series.

or

A Ph.D. or ABD in Economics, Public Finance, or closely allied field with specific coursework in economics and statistics.

and

Two years of experience in a position performing economic research and analysis, and presenting study results.

or

A master’s degree in economics, public finance, mathematics, statistics, or closely allied field with specific coursework in economics and statistics.

and

Three years of experience in a position performing economic research and analysis, and presenting study results.

or a bachelor’s degree in economics, public finance, mathematics, statistics, or closely allied field with specific coursework in economics and statistics.

and

Four years of experience in a position performing economic research and analysis, and presenting study results.

The following education and experience is also highly beneficial:

• Coursework in econometrics.
• Experience using Excel to manipulate and analyze data.
• Experience performing statistical analysis and analyzing trends.
• Experience analyzing fiscal notes or performing financial analysis.
• Experience writing articles for publication.
• Experience presenting information or research at technical conferences or professional association forums.

Why we work here
Employment Security employees:

• Make a difference in the lives of people looking for work.
• Receive affordable, quality healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision options.
• Get a generous, paid time-off package.
• Enjoy an employer-funded retirement plan.
• Can sign up for a deferred-compensation program, flexible-spending accounts and tuition reimbursement.
• Work in a challenging and fun environment with creative, talented, and diverse individuals.

How to apply
Your application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. on November 18, 2009, to be considered for this position.

Complete and submit:

1) To download an ESD application, click the link below.
ESD Application

2) Letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this opportunity

3) Résumé

Send your complete applicant package via e-mail to HRrecruiting@esd.wa.gov. Please reference the recruitment number in your email subject line.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete applicant package and follow the application instructions. Incomplete applicant packages will not be considered.

• Application materials must be in Word format (no PDF or scanned files).
• A signature is not required on the application form.
• Please do not password-protect the application form.
• Only electronically submitted materials are accepted.

The application package will be evaluated on quality and completeness as part of the screening/evaluation process. Should you have any questions regarding the application process please check the Frequently Asked Questions - Jobs at Employment Security page.

Agency profile
Employment Security Department (ESD) is one of the largest executive agencies in Washington State government. The mission of Employment Security Department is to help Washington's workers and employers succeed in the global economy by delivering superior employment services, timely unemployment benefits, and a fair and stable unemployment insurance system.

Budget, Policy & Communications Division profile
Services include:

1. Labor Market and Economic Analysis information for employers and others.
2. Financial Management, meeting regulatory requirements and optimizing the use of agency financial resources.
3. Office Services, managing the agency's facilities, procurements, mail, records, printing, fleet, and exposure to risk.
4. Communications, responsible for internal and external communications throughout the agency.
5. Policy and Legislation, providing policy, analytic, research, and management assistance, and leading legislative efforts.
6. Budget and Performance, monitoring and managing the agency's budgets and performance.

Other information
As a condition of employment, the successful candidate accepting this position must comply with the Union Security clause contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or needing this job announcement in an alternate format should provide contact information via e-mail, or via telecommunications device for the deaf at 800-676-3777.