Economic Data Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade has an exciting opportunity and is looking for an Economic Data Analyst to join our team!

Reporting to a manager within the Data and Analytics Unit, the Economic Data Analyst is responsible for analyzing and communicating trends on Alberta's economy to support evidence-based decision-making in policy development and to support the data needs of Alberta's business, investment and economic development community. To be effective, the Economic Data Analyst must employ critical thinking in answering questions using data and clearly communicate their analysis to stakeholders with different comprehension levels while maintaining data accuracy and integrity. Functioning as part of a highly collaborative team, this position will provide support to a variety of unit activities and information products using their knowledge of economic data as well as analysis and communication techniques. They will have an innovative mindset to contribute to the improvement of the Data and Analytics Unit's ability to fulfill its mandate. Key deliverables include data information products (E.g., presentations, web applications), data analyses, briefings, and recommendations for senior department staff.

In your role as an Economic Data Analyst, your responsibilities include the following:

1.  Support the development of the unit's public-facing data applications.

• Maintain content and data on the ministry's data applications, including the Alberta Economic Dashboard, Alberta Regional Dashboard and Site Selector Tool, Alberta Export Tool, and Major Projects websites.
• Work with Technology and Innovation to make improvements to the ministry's current data applications and develop new applications to disseminate data.  
• Provide recommendations on how to incorporate new ways of collecting / creating / leveraging data to inform the branch's plans and operations and recommend options for implementation.
• Create and edit data-oriented economic content for the unit's data applications and products.
• Work collaboratively with other staff in the branch to identify and prepare information products for dissemination via multiple channels both internally and externally.

2.  Support the development of the unit's internal and external information products.

• Research, write, design, and edit economic articles and presentations based on data analysis, for internal and external publication.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for information, data and statistics from internal and external stakeholders.
• Use knowledge of web markup and scripting languages to create dynamic, data-based content and data visualizations.
• Research the latest trends/best practices on data communication and dynamic data visualization techniques to integrate into the unit's work and provide recommendations to managers within the unit.

Role Responsibilities continued

3.  Support the development and maintenance of the unit's data processes.

• Acquire, manage, and analyze economic data to support the department's mandates.
• Research economic, industry, business and other data that supports the department's activities to identify new, useful datasets.
• Collaborate with staff across the department to identify where data can be used to help inform the department's policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Manage and update the ministry's datasets in accordance with the ministry's data management policies.
• Proactively analyze datasets to identify economic issues and opportunities to support policy development, the development and maintenance of the ministry's information products, and to be able to respond to ad-hoc data requests.
• Support the development and enhancement of the ministry's data management systems and processes.

4.  Complete information requests, action requests, and briefings.

• Provide input and recommendations relating to issues, opportunities and challenges associated with assigned projects, programs and functions (e.g., how to incorporate new ways of collecting / creating / leveraging data.
• to inform the branch's plans and operations and recommend options for implementation).
• Develop briefings and other documents in response to requests from the Deputy Minister and Executive Team, as well as in response to news reports and release of major research studies.
• Collaborate with Division staff to ensure coordination and integration of activities and promotes collaboration within the Division and with stakeholders.
• Remain current and informed as to Ministry issues, proactively recommending review and evaluation of policies and programs.
• Inform managers of emerging trends and issues that may have an impact on the provincial economy.
• Inform managers of activities in other divisions, ministries and levels of government that may affect the Division's policies and programs.
   

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following competencies:

• Creative Problem Solving- Focuses on continuous improvement and increasing breadth of insight by asking questions to understand a problem and looks for new ways to improve results and activities
• Agility - Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change and takes opportunities to improve work processes to anticipate and adjust behaviour to change
• Drive for Results - Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives, plans based on past experience and partners with groups to achieve outcomes that aim to exceed expectations 
• Systems Thinking - Considers inter-relationships and emerging trends to attain goals while seeking insight on implications of different options to support analysis of long-term outcomes, focus on goals and values

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

University graduation in a related field (Ex. Economics, Statistics, Analytics, Mathematics) plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

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

Assets:

• Knowledge and experience with the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with an ability to summarize technical research for a mass audience, without losing data or information integrity.
• Understanding of Alberta's economy, including economic structure and trends. 
• Knowledge of trends and opportunities in the presentation of data. 
• Knowledge of visualization libraries or software, such as d3 or equivalent. 
• Knowledge of Python/Javascript/R 

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 is a permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Hybrid work is offered. Cover letter is preferred. 
 

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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.