Job Posting: Research Economist

Department of Finance

JC-365308
-
Research Economist
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II

$6,858.00 - $8,583.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

Finance is the Governor’s chief fiscal policy advisor, and seeks to promote long-term economic sustainability and responsible resource allocation. The Economic Research Unit is responsible for California’s official economic forecast which is used for the administration’s official revenue forecast and budget development process.

Under the general direction of the Chief Economist, the Research Data Specialist will assist the Economic Research Unit with producing the official economic forecasts for the State of California, analyzing the economic impact of various enacted and proposed policies, weekly data updates, producing memos for the Director of Finance and the Governor’s Office on current economic issues, organizing and participating in Finance’s biannual economic forecast conference attended by top forecasters across the state, supporting the Chief Economist with the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, and reviewing regulatory impacts from California agencies proposing new regulations. The topics of regulatory reviews span all areas of state policy, such as insurance, environmental policies, health care, and worker safety, among others. The economic forecast and the policy analysis provided by the unit inform the state budget and other decisions made by the Governor. The Research Data Specialist will lead projects and will be responsible for analyzing and maintaining a working knowledge on current economic issues and data including labor market, personal income, housing, and inflation data

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-365308
Position #(s):
300-310-5758-XXX
Working Title:
Research Economist
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II
$6,858.00 - $8,583.00 L
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
$6,244.00 - $7,817.00 L
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you looking for a position in a fast-paced, prestigious organization with great potential for personal development and career advancement? Would you find working with the top management in State Government and with the State Legislature exciting and rewarding? If so, the Department of Finance offers a broad range of professional career paths in such areas as budgeting, accounting and auditing, information technology, economic and population research, and general administration. Look no further, apply today!

Department Website: http://www.dof.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible.  

 

Finance has implemented a hybrid telework model, which requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of two days during the workweek. The hybrid policy is subject to change, and additional in-office days may be required at management's discretion.

Application cutoff dates:
 05/01/2023
06/01/2023
07/01/2023
08/01/2023

Two Research Data Specialist levels will be considered. The complexity of the duties will be modified to be consistent with the classification of the candidate hired.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Finance
Attn: Nguyet Nguyen
915 L Street, Suite 1235
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Finance
Nguyet Nguyen
915 L Street, Suite 1235
Sacramento, CA 95814
Human Resource Office is closed from 12:00pm-1:00pm (PST) daily.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Other - Names and contact information of three professional references.
  • Other - A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and how your background, knowledge, skills, and abilities make you the ideal candidate.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • Graduation from college with a degree in economics or a related field such as statistics or public policy and significant work experience, or completion of coursework in a Master’s or PhD program in economics or a related field.
  • Knowledge of economic models and their applications in a variety of settings including state-level macroeconomic forecasting and economic impact assessment.
  • Ability to communicate complex issues to executive management and explain economic concepts, both written and oral.
  • Ability to quickly find key information, absorb new material, and make recommendations on how to assess economic impacts.
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and independent action.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with colleagues, program staff, and other agencies.

Benefits

For general information related to benefits with the State of California, please click here: California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary

 

Finance employees are excluded from collective bargaining and are eligible to receive the following enhanced benefits:   

  • Enhanced medical, dental, and disability benefits
  • Employer paid Life Insurance
  • Additional hour of Vacation/Annual Leave
  • Excluded employees are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding

 

For more details about employee benefits, visit the Department of Finance’s website here.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: http://www.dof.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Nguyet Nguyen
(916) 323-4071
Nguyet.Nguyen@dof.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Somjita Mitra
(916) 322-2263
Somjita.Mitra@dof.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Larissa Stockton
(916) 445-3368
Larissa.Stockton@dof.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.