Economic Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Are you an economist with a passion for economic statistics and data analysis to be used for data-driven decision-making? We are looking for a skilled Economic Analyst to join our team at the Office of Statistics and Information, providing specialized expertise in economic statistics, survey programs, and economic modeling in support of the Ministry’s business plan.

Reporting to the Manager, this role is essential for providing analytical support to the operation of the Economic Statistics team at OSI. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support the development of economic statistics and models.
• Support policy and decision-making by sourcing and preparing appropriate data required for analysis, validating and/or calculating statistics from various sources
• Develop methodologies and models to automate analysis and processes and validate datasets.
• Update and maintain documentation for economic statistics products published by the OSI, also assist in data visualizations, and analysis.
• Stay abreast of current trends in technology and software, by tracking and evaluating new research, software, and analysis packages related to economic modeling and analysis.
• Design and administer economic surveys for data collection efforts.
• Identify best practices for analysis and data management, implement dataset versioning and archiving processes.
• Engage panels and working groups to provide insight on economic analysis, modeling techniques, and data requirements.
• Respond to data and information requests from clients.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Creative Problem Solving – Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Drive for Results – Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.

Agility – Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Develop Self and Others – A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others. 

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Economics or closely related field such as Econometrics, and Statistics, plus a minimum of 2 years progressively responsible related experience and proficiency in using and developing economic models and creating statistical, financial and economic related analysis.

Preference will be given to those with a Master’s degree.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Requirements: 

• Knowledge of the Alberta economy, industries, and the needs of Alberta businesses.
• Experience with Statistics Canada datasets, especially National and Provincial Economic Accounts.
• Scripting and programming capabilities especially in R to facilitate economic analysis and process automation, when possible.
• Experience with data collection, data manipulation, summarizing data and preparing reports with quantitative information using Microsoft Excel and or visualization tools (e.g. Power BI, SAS Visual Analytics, etc.)
• Strong oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Innovative and self-motivated, and capable of handling a wide range of project responsibilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to optimize resources and effectively manage time.
• Strong ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Assets: 

• Experience in designing and leading economic studies, developing and using economic models and research techniques
• In-depth knowledge of the System of National Economic Accounts, including Input/Output model and economic multipliers
• Strong knowledge of techniques and of software programs for theoretical and applied econometric/statistical models

A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your previous work experience aligns to the qualifications and competencies required. Please provide clear examples of how you meet the criteria and skills required in your cover letter. Failure to provide a cover letter will lead to the application being screened out. A cover letter will be one of the ways to assess communication skills of candidates.   

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This position is a permanent full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (in office).

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• Applicants being considered for this position will be required to complete a Level 2 Enhanced Security screening (including an enhanced criminal record check along with a credit check) as part of the pre-employment checks for this position.  

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.