Job Description

　　Senior Regional Economist

　　Department of Economic Research

　　The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD)'s Department of Economic Research (DER) is seeking a Senior Regional Economist to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Massachusetts workforce through rigorous economic research and data analysis. This position will report directly to the Chief Economist and will be instrumental in leading research initiatives that leverage economic and administrative data to provide insights on labor market trends and the interplay between policy levers and labor market outcomes across various regions within Massachusetts. The Senior Regional Economist will be expected to apply a regional perspective to research questions, creating research and data products that cater to the needs of a wide range of EOLWD stakeholders, including policymakers, MassHire career center leaders, businesses, non-profits, and job seekers, among others.

　　Key research questions will include:

　　What skills will workers need in the future and what current gaps exist across regions?How might emerging economic trends like remote work or AI impact job retraining needs? What policies can improve equitable access to high-growth career pathways? How can regions develop resilience against economic shocks such as pandemics or industry decline, especially in relation to employment?

　　This role is integral to the agency's mission of fostering an inclusive workforce and regional economic prosperity through rigorous, relevant labor market research. The candidate will be expected to collaborate with other teams across DER to develop data tools and dashboards, with an emphasis on highlighting issues equity in the Commonwealth.

　　The ideal candidate will possess excellent analytical skills and the ability to adapt large data sets to meet the needs of regional workforce stakeholders. A comprehensive understanding of micro and macroeconomic theory, regional economics, and econometric methods will be essential. The ability to work effectively in a predominantly remote yet highly collaborative environment is crucial.

　　The Senior Regional Economist will frequently collaborate with staff from EOLWD's Department of Career Services and the Department of Unemployment Assistance to provide regional economic insights. The role will also work with and support the regional and state MassHire workforce boards and Workforce Skills Cabinet. This position may also require significant interaction with staff from other secretariats requiring economic data insights.

　　Job duties

　　Lead research projects and develop compelling data products (e.g., data dashboards, data exploration tools) that translate complex analysis into actionable insights for policymakers and the public.Produce research for recurring reports such as the annual economic update, Workforce Skills Cabinet Quarterly Update, and Regional Workforce Blueprints.Partner with MassHire Workforce Boards, the Workforce Skills Cabinet, and other regional partners to provide insights on regional labor market trends.Ensure accuracy and quality of analysis and deliverables through documentation and version control.Engage stakeholders via presentations, briefings, and relationship building to increase impact and visibility of research.Respond to ad hoc requests for research and data from agency leadership and other stakeholders.Other duties as assigned

　　Preferred Experience

　　An ideal candidate will have:

　　An advanced degree in economics, regional planning, sociology, public policy, or related quantitative field.5+ years of experience in an applied economic research role, with a focus on labor, workforce development, or regional economics.A record of influencing policy decisions through actionable, rigorous economic research and analysis.

　　Candidates should emphasize experience in the following areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities in their CV and cover letter:

　　Economic Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of micro and macroeconomic theory, regional economics, and econometric methods. Familiarity with key research literature and data sources in regional economics.

　　Data Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing complex economic data, identifying trends, and deriving data-driven insights.

　　Technical Skills: Experience in building and maintaining data pipelines and workflows. Proficiency in statistical programming languages, preferably R or Python.

　　Communication: Ability to articulate technical analysis through written reports, presentations, and data visualizations for a wide range of audiences.

　　Research Skills: Capability to refine ambiguous research questions into clear, researchable queries, and determine the appropriate analytical methodology and data needs.

　　Project Management: Strong project management and organizational skills to handle multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work on tight timelines. Attention to detail is a must.

　　Adaptability: Comfort in learning new technologies and computational tools for economic analysis and visualization.

　　Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience in collaborating using tools like Teams, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint.

　　Public Service Orientation: Passion for public service and improving labor market outcomes through data-driven insights.

　　Note on Preferred Qualifications: The Department of Economic Research is committed to hiring individuals that are public service driven and help provide a diversity of perspectives and insights into the state of the economy in Massachusetts. We encourage capable, mission motivated applicants to apply even if they don't meet 100% of the above qualifications. Knowledge, skills, and abilities above can be substituted with experience and/or taught through on-the-job training with DER experts.

　　About the Department of Economic Research

　　The Department of Economic Research has a public sector mandate to collect, refine, and dispense labor market information that provides timely and accurate insights into the current, past, and future states of the Massachusetts economy. In addition to DER's foundational workforce data collection efforts, the department also seeks to support the program and policy needs of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development through agile and actionable economic briefing materials, stellar analysis, and timely research. Throughout DER's economic data collection, analysis, and dissemination processes, the department remains committed to increasing accessibility and inclusivity - bringing to light equity discrepancies in the workforce based on gender, race, and ethnicity while also highlighting the importance of the contributions many traditionally marginalized economic groups have made to the success of the Massachusetts economy.

　　The DER team also promotes the use of Massachusetts labor market information on such topics as the role and impact of emerging technologies, changes in the structure of the workplace, and the cost of living relative to the availability of employment opportunities in geographic areas. The economic information produced by DER is utilized by government figures and organizations to inform policymaking, but also within academia, large and small businesses, advocacy groups, as well as individuals seeking career advancement. The DER is currently expanding its research and analytics capabilities to meet the increased demands for timely, high-quality insights into the state of the Massachusetts economy.

　　About the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

　　The mission of EOLWD is to create, operate and oversee effective and innovative statewide services to: protect worker rights, health, safety, wages and working conditions; insure against job-related injury; provide individuals and families with economic stability following job loss or injury and illness; level the playing field for responsible employers; develop a pipeline of skilled workers for current, emerging and future employers; and, maintain labor harmony between employees, employers, and labor unions. EOLWD oversees the Departments of Economic Research, Unemployment Assistance, Career Services, Labor Standards, Industrial Accidents, Labor Relations, Family and Medical Leave, as well as the Division of Apprentice Standards, Council on the Underground Economy, and the quasi-public agency, the Commonwealth Corporation.

　　Qualifications

　　MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

　　Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

　　IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

　　Comprehensive Benefits

　　When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

　　An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

　　The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.