SENIOR ECONOMIST

AZ State Jobs; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity seeks a Senior Economist to lead modernization of data operations, web extraction, and reporting within the Economic Analysis team. The role bridges technical execution with operational efficiency by transforming manual processes into automated pipelines, maintaining SAS and Python data pipelines for workforce programs, and building low-code web interfaces.

Applicants will research AI-driven labor market disruption using Gemini and other tools to refine

Qualifications

• Knowledge of advanced statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and quasi-experimental evaluation design.
• Labor market information (LMI) systems, employment and wage data, and workforce analytics used in state and federal workforce programs.
• Understanding of economic research regarding AI-driven labor market disruption, task-automation frameworks, and methods for establishing empirical vs. theoretical risk scores.
• Foundational knowledge of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) principles, relational database design, legacy data handling (SAS), and modern pipeline design using Python.

Responsibilities

• AI Risk Analysis and Research: Lead methodology for assessing AI layoff risks across industries using advanced search tools to track events and refine statewide employment projections.
• Process Automation: Develop automated code pipelines and web interfaces enabling non-technical staff to run Python scripts and trigger workflows.
• Data Pipeline Management: Manage PIRL file processing and legacy SAS/Python scripts for data transformations and reporting.
• Research & Operational Backup: Design quantitative models and maintain knowledge of LMI concepts to support research and backup operations.

Skills

Python

SAS

ETL

Statistical modeling

AI research

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, data analytics or related field

Tools

Gemini

Job description

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity's mission is to strengthen Arizona’s workforce and economy.

SENIOR ECONOMIST

Job Location:

Address: 1400 West Washington Street,
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Annually

Grade: 23

Closing Date: October 11, 2026

Job Summary:

The Senior Economist leads the modernization of data operations, web extraction, and reporting workflows within the Economic Analysis team. This role bridges advanced technical execution and operational efficiency by transforming manual processes into streamlined and automated pipelines. Key responsibilities include maintaining legacy SAS/Python data pipelines for critical workforce programs, and building low-code web interfaces. In addition, this position conducts research on AI-driven labor market disruption utilizing advanced search tools and economic frameworks to evaluate AI layoff risks and refine statewide employment projections.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

• AI Risk Analysis and Research: Lead the development, maintenance, and execution of the methodology for assessing AI layoff risks across various industries and occupations. Utilize advanced search tools (including Gemini) to track national AI layoff events, accurately categorize incidents, identify impacted SOC/NAICS codes, and incorporate findings into statewide employment projections. Combine empirical, real-world layoff event data with theoretical academic literature to establish comprehensive automation risk scores for Arizona's labor market.
• Process Automation: Lead the development of automated code pipelines, turning raw datasets into standardized reports for workforce evaluation projects. Build simple, web-based interfaces enabling non-technical staff to execute complex Python scripts, upload files, and trigger automated workflows via simple button clicks. Lead initiatives to identify manual operational bottlenecks and engineer scalable, automated solutions. Maintain, optimize, and execute Python and SAS scripts supporting internal databases, data processing pipelines, and workforce evaluation reporting.
• Data Pipeline Management: Execute, validate, and publish core annual outputs, including the state/regional In-Demand Education List, adhering to strict deadlines. Manage complex data manipulation pipelines for Participant Individual Record Layout (PIRL) files to prepare, clean, and standardize datasets for workforce evaluation projects. Maintain, debug, and upgrade legacy SAS and Python scripts responsible for database updates, routine data transformations, and internal reporting tools. Adapt existing code to meet shifting federal/state reporting requirements while ensuring uninterrupted data integrity.
• Research & Operational Backup: Design quantitative models and perform advanced statistical analysis to support research initiatives. Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of Labor Market Information (LMI) concepts, datasets, and federal/state methodology standards. Act as a trained backup across core team operations, stepping in to execute critical data runs, reporting tasks, and routine software workflows.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and quasi-experimental evaluation design;
• Labor market information (LMI) systems, employment and wage data, and workforce analytics used in state and federal workforce programs;
• Understanding of economic research regarding AI-driven labor market disruption, task-automation frameworks, and methods for establishing empirical vs. theoretical risk scores;
• Foundational knowledge of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) principles, relational database design, legacy data handling (SAS), and modern pipeline design using Python.

Skills in:

• Proficiency in Python and legacy SAS for handling large-scale data cleaning, transformation, and automated reporting;
• Advanced data modeling, technical writing, and the ability to translate raw data outputs into executive-level analytical summaries;
• AI research tools (e.g., Gemini, LLM-assisted search workflows) to synthesize layoff events, extract structured data from unstructured text, and cross-reference real-world events against employment projections;
• Auditing manual workflows, mapping operational bottlenecks, and writing code to turn multi-step manual tasks into one-click executable pipelines.

Ability to:

• Translate complex technical processes into intuitive user interfaces, clear documentation, and simple instructions for non-technical staff;
• Validate complex datasets, maintain strict data integrity, and publish high-stakes regional deliverables under firm deadlines;
• Read, debug, and modernize legacy codebases (SAS/Python) written by others while keeping live systems running without interruption;
• Proactively identify team inefficiencies and take ownership of building automated solutions from concept to deployment.

Selective Preference(s):

• Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, data analytics or a related field.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Rose Ibe at [e-mail].