Senior Economic Research Associate

NCSL International; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NCSL International is seeking a Senior Research Associate to collaborate with practice managers and associates to produce planning documents, presentations and related analyses.

The role emphasizes statistical/mathematical data analysis and rigorous report writing in support of diverse projects.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, data science, or related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience with statistical software (Stata preferred) and Excel.
• Fluency with Python strongly desired.
• GIS analysis with ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing deliverables under deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Interest in public policy, data analysis, economic policy research and/or economic development.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean and manipulate data sets as instructed by project leads.
• Support data and forecasting requests from team members and senior staff.
• Identify data issues and assist in solving them with the team.
• Conduct literature reviews related to research topics.
• Develop technical documentation, research methodology and workflows.
• Communicate findings to clients via reports, tables, dashboards and slideshows.
• Inspect reports and charts for errors and inconsistencies.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in economics or quantitative field

Tools

Stata

Excel

Python

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

The senior research associate will work with the practice managers and other associates to produce planning documents, presentations, and related analysis. This position will provide technical and production support for a broad range of projects. The ideal candidate will possess superior statistical/mathematic/data analysis and report writing skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES: PROJECT PORTFOLIO

• Collect, clean and manipulate specific economic, financial and demographic data, as instructed by project team leads.
• Support the fulfillment of data and forecasting requests from research team members and senior firm staff.
• Identify and communicate data problems/inconsistencies to project leadership and/or teammates, and assist in solving.
• Conduct literature reviews related to specific research topics.
• Assist in the development of technical documentation, research methodology and efficient workflows.
• Communicate research findings to clients clearly and concisely, via written reports, summary tables, dashboards and slideshows.
• Inspect reports, charts and tables for errors and inconsistencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES: ECONOMIC MODEL & STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

• Leverage existing knowledge of statistical theory, methods, and software to analyze economic data in order to estimate various econometric parameters relating to the firm’s propriety economic models.
• Provide analytical expertise in economic model development, estimation, programming, calibration, validation, application, and documentation of national, state, and regional economic forecasting models.
• Assist in conducting and coordinating complex research, statistical analysis, and modeling related to economic forecasts and related economic analysis.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of technical documentation for economic forecasting programs and procedures; and work with peers to ensure accurate and organized economic forecasting records.
• Work with economic forecasting team and senior staff to ensure economic modeling methodology, technologies, software, and analytical workflow are reliable and effective for supporting various client needs.
• Communicate highly technical information, both orally and in writing; to a broad range of clients and internal firm stakeholders.
• Assist research team in the development and implementation of data administration policies.
• Engage in research activities related to various issues national, state and regional economic forecasting.

RESPONSIBILITIES: ECONOMIC PROJECT SUPPORT

• Support Beacon’s economic development projects, including gathering, compiling, and analyzing data necessary to understand and interpret economic, social, physical and fiscal conditions of cities, counties, communities or the impacts of potential projects/programs.
• Support qualitative analysis for economic development projects including administration of stakeholder outreach, focus groups, interviews and survey distribution.
• Conduct policy analyses, evaluate economic development strategy, and provide in-depth industry sector and sub-sector analysis including workforce and occupational data analysis to support the formulation of economic development and recovery strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES: PRACTICE AREA STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

• The Research Associate will help support the management team in the continued development of the Practice Area’s products and services through researching, analyzing, building, and iterating research frameworks for its core products.
• This may include supporting the development of research process infrastructure needed for scalability, supporting the creation of marketing collateral for scalability, and identifying opportunities for thought leadership in the space.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, data science, or other quantitative field with coursework in demography, geographic information systems (GIS), mathematics, urban planning and/or related discipline(s).
• Extensive experience with statistical software (Stata preferred) and Excel (advanced skills critical). Fluency with Python strongly desired.
• Ability to perform GIS analysis using ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Experience with regional economic model development, estimation, programming, calibration, validation, and documentation of such models.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing deliverables on rigorous deadlines and ability to prioritize workload to respond to shifting demands and new business opportunities.
• Demonstrated interest in public policy, data analysis, economic policy research and/or economic development