UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) RESEARCH ECONOMIST

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking to hire an economist to serve as Unemployment Insurance (UI) Research Economist for the IDES Economic Information & Analysis Division. This position serves as a statewide resource in the use and analysis of Unemployment Insurance (UI) statistics and forecasts and requires strong analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Responsibilities include conducting and leading comprehensive projects and policy studies on UI Statistics and UI Forecasting, while utilizing a variety of econometric modeling and data survey techniques and directing a small team of subordinate staff. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a background in conducting complex policy studies of a mathematical nature and is interested in providing reports and delivering presentations to assist in state government policy planning and decision making. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills, strong leadership skills, and several years of professional experience using statistical software to develop multivariate and time-series predictive and forecasting models. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference to the mission of IDES by directing research and analyses to support effective statewide programmatic and policy initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Unemployment Insurance (UI) Research Economist for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Directs the organization, development and review of Unemployment Insurance (UI) Statistics and UI Forecasting activities
• Serves as full-line supervisor
• Coordinates and/or directs the development and production of numerous reports, information systems and policy studies
• Provides leadership, direction and training to staff engaged in the design of new or revised automated data analysis and forecasting techniques
• Serves as statewide resource in the use and analysis of Unemployment Insurance (UI) statistics and forecast
• Keeps abreast of new developments as they relate to both Unemployment Insurance (UI) law and statistical methods and software
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Master’s degree in economics or a closely related field, such as statistics, policy studies, sociology or computer science, with a minimum total of 18 credit hours in graduate level economics, statistics and/or research methods
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization
• Requires at least three (3) years of professional experience using statistical software and/or languages, such as Stata, EViews (Econometric Views), SAS, R, Structured Query Language (SQL), Python and/or related software programs and/or languages, and applying research methods and statistical techniques to the analysis and interpretation of economic data

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of professional experience conducting economic research, defining forecasting models, and modernizing research workflows
• Two (2) or more years of professional experience preparing reports and presenting complex data to senior management and external stakeholders
• Three (3) or more years of experience writing statistical code, including but not limited to R, Python, SQL, Stata, to automate data workflows and modernize legacy reporting systems 
• Possession of a Master’s or PhD, specifically in Economics, including applied fields such as labor economics, health economics, agricultural economics, or related economic sub disciplines
• Three (3) or more years of experience specifically analyzing unemployment insurance (UI) data or macroeconomic labor force statistics
• Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience, including directing, training, and coordinating the activities of subordinates and writing performance evaluations

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel occasionally, including overnight stays
• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making.  IDES encourages economic grown and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.