State of Idaho Opportunity
*Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.
The mission of the Idaho Department of Labor is to support individuals through career transitions, determine benefit eligibility, connect employers with workers and oversee tax and labor law compliance.
The Communications and Research Division at the Idaho Department of Labor has an opportunity for a full-time Labor Economist located in the Post Falls local office.
As a customer-facing expert on economic and labor market related matters, the Labor Economist fills an important role at the Idaho Department of Labor. In the course of their everyday job duties, they contribute to the growth of the Idaho economy by providing labor market insight that facilitates strategic decision-making that can lead to business expansions, job creation and wage increases.
The ideal candidate for the Labor Economist position must be as equally comfortable talking to employers about determining competitive wages as they are developing complex economic impact analysis. Labor Economists are expected to develop compelling insight from complex economic concepts that can be easily understood by the general public through written reports, presentations and interviews with media outlets. Labor Economists are also expected to work independently and on teams. They often collaborate with staff from various divisions of the Idaho Department of Labor, other state agencies, the federal government and non-governmental agencies such as economic development organizations.
*We value diversity and welcome all candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States. The Idaho Department of Labor is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa. If you require visa sponsorship now or in the future, please consider this before applying. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
The applicant who is selected for this position will be required to pass a criminal background check.
For questions about this position, please contact Sam Wolkenhauer (sam.wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov).
To learn more about the Idaho Department of Labor, please visit our website at: www.labor.idaho.gov
Example of Duties
Teamwork
+ Be the business and front-end representative for labor market and economic inquires and initiatives.
+ Flexible and adaptable to changing needs.
+ Work well under pressure and tight deadlines.
+ Analyze policy recommendations for impact and form recommendations and alternatives to aid in policy decisions.
+ Work well and contribute to the efforts of internal and external teams to provide support for economic development for the region.
+ May chair or serve on Department or external boards, councils, committees or associations.
Communication
+ Organize data into reports with graphic illustrations.
+ Deliver dynamic presentations and trainings concerning complex economic issues in basic terms to a wide audience.
+ Provide information, analysis, and interpretation of economic, demographic, and statistical data to businesses, public and private education institutions, chambers of commerce, area workforce investment boards, local offices, elected officials, and government agencies.
+ Advise management regarding economic issues and trends affecting the local labor market and provides technical support to local communities for planning, business expansion, and grant applications.
Research
+ Develop and evaluate forecasts to ensure models reflect changing socioeconomic factors and compile and distribute statistical data, reports, and manuals for use by federal, state, and local government, businesses, and elected officials.
+ Identify and study need for economic and labor market research projects.
+ Select, review and analyze economic, labor market and statistical data and prepare reports of findings for both internal and external publication.
+ Establish a contact network to determine employment trends and economic and demographic data.
+ Identify and assess Labor Market Information and occupational needs for training programs.
*Minimum Qualifications: You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. You must attach a resume, work history and references to your application. Your resume and work history must clearly reflect how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Failure to provide this information may disqualify you from being considered for this position.
Good knowledge of:
+ Research and statistical methodologies. Typically gained by successfully completing at least one upper division college-level course relating to research methods and applied statistics; OR have at least one year of experience performing research with statistics to develop economic, social science, business or related insight.
+ Economic principles. Typically gained by successfully completing at least one upper division college-level course relating to economic principles; OR have at least one year of experience in an economic or related field.
Experience:
+ Collecting and analyzing social, economic, and/or labor market data, and writing and preparing technical reports. Typically gained by at least one year of experience collecting and analyzing economic, labor market and/or social data.
+ Organizing and conducting workshops and making presentations.
Supplemental Information
Our ideal candidate will have:
+ Bachelor's degree in Economics.
+ Applied Statistics or related field.
+ Background in business.
+ Valid driver's license.
Benefits:
+ Excellent low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance.
+ Generous vacation and sick leave accrual beginning as soon as you start.
+ Paid parental leave.
+ Eleven paid holidays per year.
+ Participation in one of the nation's best state retirement systems.
+ Multiple savings plans.
+ Life insurance.
+ Wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities; and more.
For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.* (https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/)
EEO/ADA/Veteran:
The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.I
Idaho Division of Human Resources