Associate Project Leader Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

About ECOnorthwest
ECOnorthwest is a public policy consulting firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with offices in Seattle, Denver, Bend, Eugene, and Los Angeles. For 50 years, policymakers and business leaders have trusted ECOnorthwest to inform the complex issues that shape communities. ECOnorthwest has worked with a diverse range of over 2,000 public, private, non-profit, and foundation clients in the United States and around the world to craft effective and feasible solutions. To answer the complex questions of our time, we integrate economic analysis with complementary disciplines to provide a more complete understanding of how policy choices affect peoples' lives.
Overall purpose of the position
Research Analysts are a part of the ECO Data Analytics team. They are responsible for performing research on numerous assigned projects, in collaboration with others. Research Analysts are an important part of a project team. They prepare sections of technical reports, summaries, and perform qualitative and quantitative analyses, as needed, under the supervision of Associates, Project Managers, and Project Directors. They may possess specialized skills, such as spatial analysis or statistical analysis. This position is expected to maintain a billable hours ratio of 85% after 5 months.
Essential functions of the position
Under the guidance of an Associate, Project Manager, or Project Director:
• Conducts research, in accordance with standard methods and research best practices.
• Works collaboratively with Project Leaders to develop and implement analytical approaches.
• Prepares sections of reports or memorandum under direction from Project Leaders, including inserting tables and charts and writing narrative.
• Summarizes information into clear and understandable tables and charts.
• Identifies and organizes data and sources of information that are appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ensures that data and research methods are thoroughly documented with appropriate sources and assumptions.
• Discusses findings with other staff to evaluate validity of findings and explore implications.
• Verifies the quality and accuracy of their own work, takes corrective action when errors are identified, and follows established QA/QC procedures.
• Raises any concerns about how a research process addresses issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, or any other concerns or issues with research alignment with ECOnorthwest's mission and statement of research integrity.
• Consistently manages their time effectively based on the deadlines of each project they are working on, proactively reporting concerns and progress with Project Leaders when there are competing deadlines.
• Balances billable project work along with culture-building and thought leadership.
Required Competencies
Technical competencies
• Knowledge of and ability to appropriately apply principles of research, including interviews, documentation and analysis of data, documentation of analysis, understanding and application of relevant theory, and use of database, spreadsheet, and statistical software.
• Proficient in Python or R
• Demonstrated aptitude in the acquisition and analysis of commonly used public datasets (Census, ACS, BLS, etc.)
• Knowledge of spatial analysis techniques
• Strong writing and communication skills; ability to communicate technical information and methods clearly.
• Ability to learn and adapt new principles.
• Ability to understand appropriate use of data sources and their limitations, including how they may over- or under-represent specific populations.
• Ability to understand and help with formulating a research question.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Ability to incorporate existing knowledge into projects.
Project and team management skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and produce quality analysis in the form of tables, charts, and narrative.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in team environment.
• Ability to develop a network within ECOnorthwest.
• Demonstrated awareness of the pertinence of the research with the project and across similar projects.
Personal aptitudes/interpersonal skills
• Proactively contributes to a collegial and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to self-assess and course correct.
• Self-starting and proactive in soliciting work to maintain an appropriate billable rate.
• Ability to clearly communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• Innate intellectual curiosity and the desire to seek out new ideas and solutions.
• Open-minded approach, flexible when needed.
• Demonstrates adaptability.
• Takes responsibility for the quality, relevancy, and timeliness of their own work.
• Reliability, timeliness, and efficient management of time and workload.
Required qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in economics, mathematics, computer science, planning, political science, environmental policy, or a related field.
• Two years of professional experience as a Research Analyst or in a role with similar duties, or a graduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Desired qualifications
• Experience analyzing public microdata (e.g. PUMS) and raw survey response data.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL.
• Familiarity with open-source data and software (e.g. OpenStreetMap, QGIS, etc.)
• Experience with version control software (e.g. Git).
• Experience with GIS software and skilled in cartography.
Physical requirements
• Ability to work for long periods at a computer.