Economic Analyst

Council for Community and Economic Research; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dakota Institute is seeking an analyst to conduct end-to-end economic research for South Dakota and the Northern Plains. You’ll collect data, build analyses, and deliver findings to leadership and client teams.

You will produce reports with data visuals, develop dashboards, and maintain workflows for data collection, analysis, and reporting, communicating complex results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, data science, CS, maths, or business.
• Advanced analytical skills with data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Analyze economic data to identify trends and opportunities for policymakers and clients.
• Write research reports with data tables and visualizations for stakeholders.
• Build and maintain data workflows behind collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain public dashboards tracking economic conditions.
• Collect and update datasets on a regular basis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Data collection

Data cleaning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

R

Python

Stata

Tableau

Power BI

REMI

IMPLAN

Job description

The Dakota Institute conducts independent economic research and advisory work for organizations throughout South Dakota and the Northern Plains. Our engagements include statewide economic impact studies, fiscal feasibility analysis for municipalities and development projects, and research and consulting services for foundations, public institutions, and industry organizations.

As an analyst, you’ll work on projects from end-to-end — from initial data collection to the final deliverable — working closely with leadership and directly with the clients who use the work. The scope of the role is unusually wide for an analyst position.

We’re looking for someone with a strong technical background, the judgment to structure an analysis independently, and the ability to communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences alike.

Objectives and Responsibilities

• Analyze economic data to identify trends and opportunities relevant to policymakers, business leaders, and clients.
• Write research reports, including data tables and visualizations, that clients and stakeholders use to make decisions.
• Build and maintain the workflows and processes behind our data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain public dashboards tracking economic conditions in the state and region.
• Collect and update various datasets on a regular basis.

Required skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher), preferably in economics, data science, computer science, mathematics, or business.
• Advanced analytical skills with experience collecting, cleaning, and analyzing complex data using appropriate software tools.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Two or more years’ experience in applied data analysis and research writing.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools such as R (preferred), Python, or Stata.
• Experience with economic impact modeling software such as REMI and IMPLAN.
• Experience developing data visualizations using software such as R, Python, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Familiarity with South Dakota’s economy, key industries, and policy environment.