The D.C. Policy Center is looking for a researcher to work on economic and fiscal policy in the District of Columbia. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in economics and economic analysis and a deep interest in the District, will be adept with a variety of data sources, and be fluent in evaluating and applying high-quality policy research.
The incumbent will be responsible for executing the research agenda of the D.C. Policy Center’s Alice M. Rivlin Initiative. This includes tracking, analyzing, and writing on economic conditions in the District of Columbia, and developing policies that can improve these conditions. Specifically, the incumbent will keep track of economic conditions including, but not limited to, labor market statistics, business formation and survival, income statistics, and other variables that measure the health and competitiveness of the District’s economy.
This position is most suitable for a mid-career professional with previous experience in the responsibilities listed below and looking for growth in their responsibilities. The starting salary range is $70,000 to $85,000 commensurate with experience. The D.C. Policy Center also offers health insurance benefits, contributions toward retirement savings, and provides a dynamic, flexible work environment.
General responsibilities
The incumbent will help manage and implement the D.C. Policy Center’s economic and competitiveness research. Key responsibilities include:
- Help shape, manage, and deliver research and analysis projects following the D.C. Policy Center’s economic policy research agenda.
- Collect, assemble, and maintain datasets.
- Apply statistical models and, methodologies, and conduct analyses based on available datasets.
- Construct, manage, and analyze data files.
- Write findings in blog posts, papers, reports, and research summaries for internal and external audiences.
- Develop and implement dissemination plans for each relevant research or policy publications.
- Monitor external research and policy developments in the District of Columbia.
- Follow national or other work—including academic work—focused on state and local public finance, regional economic growth, and urban economics.
- Work with other staff to oversee content of project-specific web pages and publications.
- Work with other staff to coordinate projects and responsibilities for research assistants and interns.
- Engage with key stakeholders in government, the private sector, policy and advocacy groups, and other research establishments.
- Coordinate with partner organizations as needed.
- Attend conferences, meetings, and briefings; serves as a project liaison, writing summary reports as necessary. Present findings to the D.C. government agencies, elected officials, and testify in D.C. Council hearings.
- Support the Executive Director in identifying funders and funding opportunities to advance the D.C. Policy Centers economic policy research. Support the preparation of grant impact implementation progress reports and tracking of impact activities.
- Support the Executive Director in securing other research and funding partners to ensure the longevity of the Center.
- Work with the Rivlin Initiative Advisory Board and other stakeholders to develop the Initiative’s research agenda.
Education, experience, and skill requirements
- Education and/or relevant experience in economics, public finance, public policy, applied statistics, or a related field.
- Analytical research skills and experience in econometrics and statistical analysis, including experience working with national panel surveys and other large-scale datasets and knowledge of common data sets.
- Expertise in data analysis using an econometric package such as SAS, Stata, or R; mapping and data visualizations.
- Experience in economics and tax policy, especially state and local policies and policies and knowledge related to urban economics.
- A keen understanding of the District’s unique labor market and position within the larger metropolitan area.
- Proven written and presentation skills in a range of formats and to both expert and general audiences.
- Competence to undertake high-profile research assignments with multiple deliverables over various time periods.
- Strong organization skills, a high level of attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Preferred:
- Experiencing managing short- and long-term research projects.
- Experience in mapping and data visualization (GIS, Tableau)
- Significant experience in extracting and analyzing state-, city-, and tract-level data from national and local data resources.
The D.C. Policy Center welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law.
At present, employees are expected to come into the office three days a week (Tuesday through Thursday). Work arrangements may change in the future.
About the D.C. Policy Center
The D.C. Policy Center is a non-profit 501(c)3() think tank focusing on local policy issues in the District of Columbia and the surrounding region. Through data-driven and action-oriented policy research, the D.C. Policy Center’s mission is to bring together policymakers, employers, industry leaders, community advocates, and other stakeholders to advance comprehensive policies that support a strong and growing local economy for all District residents.
The D.C. Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected status under federal or District law.
Application instructions
Send a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples as a single PDF to jobs@dcpolicycenter.org.
Priority deadline for applications is September 5, 2023. Applications received after that date will be evaluated as needed on a rolling basis.