Senior Economist

Role Responsibilities

Labour Market Evidence is the source of labour market information (LMI), analysis, and insights on the labour market for government and external stakeholders to inform labour market decisions producing over 50 LMI products to inform labour market decision-makers. In 2022, the LME was tasked to lead the Alberta at Work LMI Enhancement initiative which aims to establish an LMI system that is responsive to the needs of labour market decision-makers. To date, there are at least 16 projects under the LMI Enhancement initiate.

Reporting to the Chief Labour Economist and Senior Manager, the Senior Economist provides expert leadership in the forecasting and analysis of labour market dynamics and provides expert advice to the GOA on conditions and trends that affect labour markets in Alberta. 

The Senior Economist anticipates information needs, oversees/conducts analysis and develops new information to enable effective decisions to respond to changes in the economy and labour market. The clients requesting this type of work are departments, industry associations, training institutions, private sector, community organizations and others.


In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

1. Undertake economic, technical research, which provides management, staff, clients, stakeholders and partners the information and tools to promote a good understanding of economic issues and labour dynamics that impact and inform their decisions regarding strategic direction of labour force development initiatives.
2. Lead on the integration, production and maintenance of the statistical publications and reports that address the economic, labour market and workplace information needs of a wide range of stakeholders.
3. Develop scenario models for assessing/evaluation of changing policies and their impacts on Alberta and prepare reports and publications to increase the understanding of these impacts.
4. Oversee the development of mechanisms to enhance the understanding of and the exchanges of LMI to support evidence-based planning and decision making for a wide range of stakeholders.

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

• Systems Thinking – Considers inter-relationships and emerging trends to attain goals.

• Creative Problem Solving – The position requires considerable analytical, interpretive and evaluative thinking to synthesize a diversity of information and to anticipate the impact of the branch's actions and initiatives.

• Build Collaborative Environments - The position supports the activities of the division by providing issues resolution, facilitation and implementation of priorities and strategic plans. 

• Agility - The position operates within a well-defined strategic frame of reference; however, the position exercises a high degree of judgment and interpretation. The position responds to emerging issues in the context of the labour market issues and direction provided by the Director.

Qualifications

University graduation in Statistics, Econometrics, Economics or a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience. Knowledge of Machine Learning and Coding is an asset.

One year of degree for one year of education and vice versa will be considered as equivalent.

Knowledge required:

• Economic and technical expertise and understanding of the structure and performance of the Alberta economy and an understanding of the Canadian and global economies.
• Knowledge of business, industry, export and investment development; competitiveness issues and their impact on the Alberta economy.
• Experience in leading and developing economic studies.
• Experience in developing and using complex economic models (input-output models, etc.) and their application to inform decisions to support Alberta job creators and encourage invetsment.
• Knowledge of financial analysis (e.g. cash flow analysis, return on investment and net present value calculations.
• Thorough knowledge of a range of statistical and modelling techniques and software porgrams for theoretical and applied econometric/statistical models.
• Extensive knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, Internet access and manipulation, and economic tools and applications (e.g. economic impact calculators).
• Extensive experience in using Statistics Canada data and database manipulation.Knowledge of project management processes and approaches.
• Knowledge of project management and approaches.

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

There is one full-time temporary position (ends May 20, 2026) working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

Working location is Commerce Place Building, Edmonton.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

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 has 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
• 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.