Lead Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ECONOMIST 3
Job No: 542486
Work Type: Full-time
Location: REMOTE OPTIONS, PHOENIX
Categories: Communication/Community Relations, Scientific/Technical Support, Program Management, Misc/Other/Not Applicable
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity's mission is to strengthen Arizona's workforce and economy.
ECONOMIST 3
Job Location:
Address: 1400 West Washington Street,
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 Annually
Grade: 22
Closing Date: August 18, 2026
Job Summary:
The Economist 3 conducts rigorous analysis of regional labor market trends, wages, and demographic shifts to produce the agency's highly visible monthly employment reports, while also providing critical insights and labor market information (LMI) products to partner state agencies and diverse stakeholders to ensure state programs meet regulatory and statutory requirements. This position handles state-mandated regulatory deliverables and federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data programs; promotes the integration of AI tools to automate legacy reporting processes and streamline data pipeline updates to modernize reporting processes; and administers interactive data visualizations for broader LMI updates and managing public-facing website data tools.
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:
• Monthly Employment Reporting & Analysis: Analyze regional labor market trends, wages, and demographic shifts to produce the agency's highly visible monthly employment reports. Lead the development of accompanying press release narratives and presentations.
• Public-Facing Website Data Management: Manage public-facing website data tools and administer interactive data visualizations for broader LMI updates. Regularly maintain and update data files, charts, and tables to ensure public information products are accurate and timely.
• Regulatory Economics & Statutory Compliance: Serve as a primary point of contact for external state departments to fulfill regulatory mandates. Review proposed administrative rule-makings & multi-year reports to evaluate stakeholder cost impacts & ensure compliance with state statutes. Prepare economic impact analysis memos monthly for Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC), execute median family income estimations required under state statute, handle wage verification information for the Arizona Department of Corrections, and prepare economic impact analysis reports for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
• Workflow Automation & Pipeline Modernization: Champion the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools & write programming code to automate legacy reporting workflows. Streamline internal data pipelines & build connected spreadsheet or dashboard outputs to minimize manual data processing. Work with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data programs, including the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), & assist with annual benchmarking revision process.
• Project Documentation & Quality Assurance Support: Ensure strict operational quality control and standardization across the division by validating that recurring reporting packages are accurate and audit-ready. Provide comprehensive documentation and QA support for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) by managing milestone trackers, issue logs, and strict version control.
• Information Maintenance & Ad Hoc Requests: Maintain and update data files, charts, and tables for various information products in a timely and accurate manner (5%). Respond to ad hoc requests from the public, research institutions, state/local governments, and the Governor's office, and assist OEO Labor Systems and Workforce teams with project deliverables as
needed (5%).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
• Labor market information (LMI) systems, employment and wage data, and workforce analytics used in state and federal workforce programs;
• Reporting discipline, documentation standards, version control methods, and quality assurance processes for state initiatives;
• Principles of regulatory economics, statutory cost-benefit analysis, and compliance-driven research frameworks, including GRRC memos, median family income estimation parameters, and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data structures (QCEW/OEWS).
Skills in:
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate employment trends, wages, demographic shifts, and translate findings into actionable insights;
• Developing, validating, and communicating LMI products for diverse stakeholders, partner state agencies, and the public;
• Leveraging AI tools, Python/programming code, automation, and data pipelines to modernize reporting processes, improve efficiency, and enhance data quality;
• Strong interpersonal skills to interface with other divisions on recurring tasks and special projects.
Ability to:
• Clearly communicate complex economic, regulatory, and workforce data to both technical and non-technical audiences;
• Manage detailed project documentation, version controls, and recurring reporting timelines for multiple initiatives simultaneously;
• Collaborate effectively across divisions and adapt analyses to evolving policy and strategic priorities,
providing technical formatting and quality control support;
• Provide technical assistance and support that strengthens workforce data collection, public tool accuracy, and analytical capacity.
Selective Preference(s):
Pre-Employment Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Statistics, or a quantitative discipline.
• Strong research, writing, and proofreading skills, with a demonstrated ability to create narratives for media and public presentation.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet rigid recurring monthly reporting deadlines.
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 rose.ibe@azdoa.gov.
Advertised: 21 Jul 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: 18 Aug 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
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