Senior Economist

Job Summary 

The Senior Economist will work alongside the Chief Economist and Economist to support a variety of initiatives and priority projects for the Economic and Data Analytics team. This position will be responsible for analyzing market trends, advising the NJEDA on economic decisions, and developing models for forecasting, among other duties. The Senior Economist will also work to distill complex economic data to non-technical audiences--requiring excellent communicative ability. 

$85,680 - $107,100

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support varying projects and strategic initiatives to advance the goals of the Economic and Data analytics team. 
• Prepare economic analyses of legislative or other policy proposals, project proposals, and other economic development-related metrics and topics, including the production of economic impact analyses using econometric modeling.  
• Track key statewide and regional economic data (e.g. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, etc.) while identifying, monitoring, and reporting on emerging economic trends and producing both routine and ad hoc executive-oriented and user-friendly economic briefings, such as monthly economic dashboards, regional dossiers, policy digests, and other economic research projects as assigned.  

• Coordinate with various NJEDA departments and other State agencies in soliciting and sharing ideas, information, and feedback on research and economic analysis. 
• Analyze market trends to build forecasts and economic models. 
• Advise NJEDA on economic decisions. 
• Study the economic impact of laws and regulations. 
• Collect and analyze financial, political, and socioeconomic data. 

• Develop statistical and econometric models for economic forecasting. 
• Communicate data in the form of presentations, technical reports, and non-technical reports. 
• Promote teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, NJEDA staff and external customers. 
• Perform duties to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. 
• Must complete annual and semiannual self-assessment as required. 

• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Expertise with statistical regression, economic modeling techniques, and programming.  
• Proficiency with an econometric modeling software package (R, Stata, etc.).  
• Advanced knowledge of IMPLAN, REMI, or similar Social Accounting Matrices modeling tool. 
• Ability to communicate professionally with diverse stakeholders. 
• Commitment to collaborative problem-solving. 

• Ability to quickly research, analyze, and effectively synthesize information across a range of policy areas. 
• High degree of ingenuity, flexibility, team orientation, creativity, and innovation. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and NJEDA staff 
• Ability to prioritize workload; must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision. 
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with NJEDA senior staff and team members who work directly with them. 

• Demonstrate ability to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of NJEDA programs and services. 
• NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred. 
• Knowledge of virtual platforms including Zoom, MS Teams. 
• Knowledge of electronic communications techniques such as web casting a plus. 
• Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, NJEDA staff and external customers. 

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and NJEDA staff. 

Preferred Qualifications 

Education and Experience Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in economics or a related field and 
•  7+ years of relevant, full-time professional experience. 
• Knowledge of economic development-related fields such as tax policy, real estate development, economic incentives (loans, grants, tax credits), workforce development, public-private partnerships, research and development, commercialization, and/or business marketing.  
• Familiarity with New Jersey government policies and programs and/or experience working within State government.   

Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience 

Location 

• Position can be based in either Trenton or Newark 

Physical Demands 

• Minimal 
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed 

Travel 

• As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc. 

Certificates and Licenses Required 

• License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position. 

Note 

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. 

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.   

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA. 

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

NJ SAME Program  

Position Requirements 

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date.  If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded. 
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources. 
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.  

• Must review the required NJEDA Ethics Guidelines.  

• Those guidelines to can be found here:  

• https://www.nj.gov/ethics/docs/ethics/plainlanguage2021.pdf 
• https://www.nj.gov/ethics/docs/ethics/2022_uniformcode_april.pdf 
  

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