Policy Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Tallahassee, Florida
Job Type: Salaried Full-Time
Job Number: 202500068
Office: Economic & Demographic Research
Opening Date: 10/22/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
This is a full-time economist position within the Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The position has primary responsibility for evaluating state economic development programs and assists in the analysis of fiscal policy proposals. The position operates and maintains economic models of Florida and analyzes, interprets and reports the results of such models. The position also conducts return-on-investment and cost benefit analyses of economic development programs and fiscal policy proposals. The position conducts research, including literature reviews, of economic topics impacting the state's economy.
Examples of Work Performed

• Researches, analyzes and evaluates existing and proposed Florida programs involving economic incentives, economic development and fiscal policy.
• Researches, analyzes and evaluates existing Florida programs which have statutory requirements for return on investment or cost benefit reporting.
• Assists in maintaining and enhancing the statewide economic model.
• Assists in updating and balancing the database for the statewide economic model.
• Locates and compiles relevant state, local and federal data into a usable format.
• Assists in testing the statewide economic model.
• Assists in analysis of state revenue and industry linkages.
• Assists in analysis of state expenditures and industry linkages.
• Performs and reviews economic analyses using the statewide economic model.
• Performs and reviews return on investment and cost benefit analyses.
• Participates in special impact estimating conferences.
• Researches literature for information and concepts to use in the statewide model.
• Compiles literature reviews of existing policy analyses using economic models.
• Compiles literature reviews of existing policy analyses using return on investment and cost benefit techniques.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of economic theory at an advanced level.
• Knowledge of statistics.
• Knowledge of forecasting and projection techniques.
• Knowledge of social science research practices and standards.
• Knowledge of computer software used in economic models.
• Knowledge of computer software used in database management and quantitative analysis.
• Knowledge of basic financial analysis principles.
• Knowledge of data sources used in economic and demographic analysis.
• Knowledge of the law governing the revenues or caseloads being forecast.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to prepare economic related charts, tables, slides, and other graphic presentations of data.
• Ability to explain and defend forecasts before other forecasters.
• Ability to present technical materials to non-technical audiences in both written and oral forms.
• Ability to work effectively with other staff.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret economic data.
• Ability to organize economic data into logical format.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five years of professional research experience in one or more of the following areas: revenue or caseload forecasting, demographic forecasting; program research for a governmental agency, research institute or consulting firm; or full time instruction and/or research at a college or university in any of the following areas: social sciences, business or public administration, mathematics or statistics.
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in economics, business or public administration, mathematics, statistics, or any of the social sciences can substitute for one year of the required experience.
A doctorate from an accredited college or university in economics, business or public administration, mathematics, statistics, or any of the social sciences can substitute for two years of the required experience.
SALARY
Commensurate with experience.
The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Open until filled
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY
If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803.
Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays. Learn more below!
Health and Dental Insurance
Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
Leave Accrual Benefits
Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:
Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month
Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.
Life and Disability Insurance
Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.
Retirement
Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium
Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan
This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.
Paid Holidays
New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday
Total Compensation Statement
The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.