Government Finance Policy Analyst

Reason Magazine; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reason Foundation seeks a Government Finance Policy Analyst for a one-year, full-time fellowship. The role emphasizes policy research, quantitative analysis, and clear written communication, with virtual collaboration across Reason teams nationwide.

The fellow will tackle state and local government finance issues, GASB considerations, and data visualization tasks using tools like R, Shiny Apps, and Tableau. This is a paid fellowship with opportunities for ongoing involvement.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills.
• GASB standards knowledge and government accounting are a plus.
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization tools such as R, Shiny Apps, Tableau is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• General alignment with Reason Foundation’s libertarian mission.
• Curiosity and self-motivation to learn new things.
• Major in economics, finance, accounting, or public administration is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Produce policy research, commentaries, and other written products that address government finance issues.
• Be entrepreneurial in identifying value-added policy projects with existing teams.
• Research federal, state, and local government finance issues.
• Support team members in engaging with officials and stakeholders to implement financial policy changes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

GASB knowledge

Data visualization tools

Oral & written communication

Policy alignment

Self-motivation

Public administration intuition

Education

Economics/Finance/Accounting/Public Administration background helpful

Tools

R

Shiny Apps

Tableau

Job description

About Reason Foundation

Reason Foundation advances a free society by developing, applying, and promoting libertarian principles, including individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law. Reason Foundation produces respected, nonpartisan public policy research on a variety of issues and publishes the critically acclaimed Reason magazine. Together, our top-tier think tank and political and cultural magazine reach a diverse, influential audience, advancing the values of choice, individual freedom, and limited government.

About the Opening

The Government Finance Policy Analyst will work with Reason policy teams to produce policy research that addresses key issues in government finance. Possible research areas include state and local financial management, government debt, pension and other benefits for government workers, financial transparency, privatization, and others. A critical capability will be to work virtually with Reason teams on research and policy projects, including quantitative analysis, evaluating key research questions in real-time, and well‑written analysis and commentary. The ideal candidate pays close attention to detail, enjoys tackling large projects independently, and is a master of data analytics.

This role can be done virtually anywhere within the U.S. and is part of Reason’s Fellowship Program . This is a full-time, paid position with benefits that lasts one year from your start date. Many fellows have continued working at Reason after completing their fellowship or have gone on to other notable organizations within our network.

Responsibilities

• Produce policy research, commentaries, and other written products that address key issues in government finance
• Be entrepreneurial in identifying value-added policy projects with existing teams
• Research federal, state, and local government finance issues
• Support team members in working with elected officials, government managers, and interested stakeholders who are seeking to implement meaningful financial policy changes
• Other duties as assigned

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of and experience with government financial statements, GASB standards, and government accounting are a plus.
• Working knowledge of or ability to rapidly learn data analysis and data visualization applications such as R, Shiny Apps, and Tableau is preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills and an ability to effectively convey complex concepts to non-experts
• General alignment with Reason Foundation’s mission to advance a free society by developing, applying, and promoting libertarian principles
• Curiosity and self-motivation to learn new things
• A major in economics, finance, accounting, or public administration is helpful but not required

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.