Overall purpose of the position

ECONorthwest has an immediate need for a full-time Senior Demographic Analyst to work across the firm’s practice areas. We analyze policy decisions, evaluate the performance of current programming, measure the expected returns of proposed investments, and provide evidence-based recommendations. We center equity in our work.

This Senior Demographic Analyst role will be part of the ECOnorthwest Data Analytics team, which provides analytical support across the firm’s various practice areas. This role is expected to be highly proficient in the use and analysis of an extensive range of US Census data products, from prepared ACS tables to Public Use Microdata Sample data. This role will work collaboratively with project teams to deliver aspects of project work and other assigned tasks requiring spatial analytics, economic or real estate modeling, database design, data visualization, software development and implementation, or other specialized technical skillsets. While all ECOnorthwest staff have and use many of these skill sets in their project work regularly, this role will be called on to develop and specialize in these skills, as well as train staff on best practices of analyzing Census data. They will be asked to take on complex research and analytic tasks that may need to be replicable across projects and that may require development and maintenance of tools beyond the needs of any individual project. Their internal title will be Technical Manager (I/II).

Essential functions of the position

• Has primary responsibility for producing quantitative demographic and socioeconomic analyses, for and creating deliverables (or sections of deliverables) in visual and/or written summary format.
• Ability to clearly articulate the rationale for methodological choices, document and describe implications of all assumptions made, and provide written summaries of methodologies and findings for inclusion in deliverables.
• Work with survey design and mixed methods team.
• Manages communications with the project team, and, as appropriate, clients regarding progress on the project.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of best practices for required skill sets.
• Produces project and data documentation requirements.
• Understands how to obtain and ensure quality results, and can effectively take corrective actions and perform verification of project standards.
• Ability to oversee and assist junior staff in improving their coding and analytic (statistical and methodological) skills.

Required Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Proficient in R {sf, tidyverse, tidycensus, survey/srvyr}
• Expertise with USCB Data products: Decennial, ACS, PEP, PUMS, LEHD, TIGER, SOCDS
• Knowledge of best practices for advanced statistical analysis of survey data sets
• Knowledgeable of GIS methods and principles
• Demonstrated aptitude in applied information science
• Familiar with inferential and ML models
• Quantitative analysis, computer software or coding expertise, data management and analysis, and / or data visualization may each be required in this position.
• Ability to clearly describe analytic methods, technical tools, and results to internal and external team members; ability to inform senior staff and colleagues of pertinent issues, be an excellent listener.
• Ability to keep abreast of technological change, and find the most expedient way to develop new skills and knowledge required when undertaking new projects.
• Help manage datasets, analytic tools, software, and other technical assets that support project work.
• Ability to produce project and data documentation requirements to ensure reproducibility.
• Understand how to obtain and ensure quality results, ability to take corrective actions, and perform verification of project standards, effectively.
• Support internal projects to track and help improve business performance.

Project and Team Management Skills

• Ability to analyze and define technical and / or analytic problems, evaluate alternatives, and find a solution.
• Ability to understand and implement established corporate and project-based policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and implement an appropriate level of technical and analytical best practices given the project timeline, scope, and budget.
• Consistent demonstration of ability to meet deadlines and produce quality written deliverables and / or analysis.
• Seeks appropriate direction from project leadership on project execution.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop a professional network.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Understanding and ability to apply project management skills, such as developing scopes, monitoring budgets, delegating work, and managing teams.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Personal Aptitudes/Interpersonal Skills
• Proactively contributes to a collegial and inclusive work environment
• Innate intellectual curiosity and the desire to seek out new ideas and new solutions 
• Enables effective and inclusive teamwork across diverse team participants
• Ability to provide and receive constructive and regular feedback
• Ability to self-assess and course correct
• Political acumen
• Adaptability and resourcefulness
• Takes responsibility for own work and the work of junior staff
• Reliability, timeliness, and efficient management of time and workload

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in economics, planning, or related social science field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in consulting or related context.
• Experience using quantitative and statistical methods.
• Experience or training in applied GIS

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work for long periods at a computer.

Location: Portland or Seattle
Position Status: Exempt  
Schedule: Generally full-time, Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM