PRINCIPAL ECONOMIST 0710
DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Under general
direction an employee in this class designs and directs economic research
associated with local, state and national economies, with particular emphasis
on economic and statistical analyses relevant to Legislative policies. The
employee designs the research methodology for major economic studies, may
direct a staff in implementing such projects, monitors the local, state and
national economies and provides technical assistance as needed. Responsibility is included for making policy
recommendations based upon thorough analyses of economic alternatives. The
employee reports to the Director of Budget Review, who reviews work through
conferences, reports and evaluation of the effectiveness of economic analyses
and forecasts. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK
ACTIVITIES
Develops a
budget model for analyses of the County’s operating and capital budgets,
including forecasts of revenue and expenditure items, such as sales tax and
debt service;
Designs and
directs economic studies of alternative tax structures, employment and labor
market trends, income, wages, retail activity, banking activity, inflation, and
related topics;
Analyzes the
effect of changes in sales tax revenue under varying conditions, such as rate
changes, tax exemptions, changes in neighboring counties’ sales taxes, and
dedication of a portion of revenue to sewer districts, open space, public
safety, water quality, etc.,
Performs debt
service analyses, with long term forecasts and comparisons with a pay-as-you-go
approach;
Prepares
charts, publications and statistical data relating to economic studies;
Prepares oral
and written presentations to government officials and business leaders;
Provides
technical assistance to government agencies and to the business community, as
requested by the Director of Budget Review.
FULL
PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Comprehensive
knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of economics; thorough
knowledge of regional economics, public finance, applied econometrics
(statistical analysis), labor market analysis and economic data sources;
considerable initiative in selecting study areas, developing research methods,
and selecting data sources; ability to assign and supervise the work of
subordinate personnel; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both
orally and in writing; ability to analyze technical data, physical condition commensurate with the demands of the
position.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN
COMPETITIVE
Graduation
from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Masters' Degree in Economics or
Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics and ten (10) years of
progressively responsible experience in economic research, at least five (5) of
which must have involved the development of revenue/expenditure models, and/or
the analysis of debt ratio models or related experience.
NOTE: Additional education from a
New York State or regionally accredited college or university may be
substituted for experience on a year-to-year basis.
PROMOTIONAL
Two years of
permanent competitive status as a Senior Economist.
01/01/01
SUFFOLK
COUNTY
Competitive
RR2/28/03