Urban Economist

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Class Title
Urban Economist
Class Code
5148
Salary
$116,688.00 - $152,817.60 Annually
Classification Description Summary

Urban Economist

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Summary Description

Under general direction, serves as a subject matter expertand lead analyst through assessments oftax policy, understanding of economic and demographic trends, conducting highly-complex economic and fiscal impact analyses, and making recommendations to advise City leaders and policymakers in the decision-making process.Incumbent will be expected to plan and execute analytical tasks; prioritize and lead multiple assignments;complete deliverables in a timely manner with creativity and attention to detail;and provide highly-complex staff assistance to the Director of Policy and Strategy. 


STRATEGIC LEADER COMPETENCIES-Competencies for Strategic Leaders depict the combination of

aptitudes, behaviors, beliefs and actions that highly successful Strategic Leaders demonstrate in moving

the City of Reno toward its mission to create a community that people are proud to call home.

  • ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT VIEWPOINT-Views the organization's various functions as a system ofinterconnected and interdependent parts of a cohesive whole with cross-functional responsibilities.Remains agile and creates and responds to change; anticipates problems in advance and developssolutions. Remains cognizant of how subtle changes can impact the entire organization. Understandsthe importance of the relationship of a part or parts to a whole.

  • STRATEGIC FOCUS-Recognizes that evolution/change must occur for the organization to fulfill itsmission. Plans proactively rather than reactively and considers factors such as the externalenvironment, best practices, internal organizational dynamics, and organizational goals to develop avision for the future. Works to engage others in support of the vision. Uses appropriate data to makebusiness decisions and sets meaningful metrics to measure success. Aligns resources with strategicimperatives and understands the necessity of cohesion among various business units. Uses projectmanagement skills to manage goals by phasing processes, collaborating with stakeholders and implementing opportunities for improvement. Plans a course of action designed to help the Cityrespond to an event that may or may not happen, creates a plan B.

  • FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY- Plans, budgets and forecasts, uses predictive analytics, and businessintelligence to ensure resources (financial and human) are effectively allocated to achieve the goals andobjectives of the City. Links resources to strategic imperatives and identifies, assesses, prioritizes,documents, reports and manages risk and its impact. Ensures safe work habits and models safetypractices. Engages in budgeting and general accounting procedures.

  • EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION-Effectively uses verbal, non-verbal, and activelistening communication skills tailored to a variety of audiences. Articulates a compelling message andinfluences others to embrace a shared vision. Behaves authentically and demonstrates energy whenattempting to establish interpersonal relationships. Ensures the clarity of a message delivered. Remainshelpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented. Builds strong working relationships and a positivework environment and shares expertise through consultation. Actively promotes solutions to problemsthrough interdisciplinary approaches. Works together with others in a cooperative and supportive mannerto achieve shared goals. Creates productive relationships interdepartmentally and with outside agencies.Ensures clarity of message and correct understanding of the intent.

  • PEOPLE MANAGEMENT-Sets a clear vision for their team and links business unit performance andindividual performance to the City’s mission. Makes decisions, sets clear goals and provides teams withthe empowerment and tools to achieve success. Sets clear expectations, reviews progress, providingfeedback and guidance, and holding employees accountable. Makes decisions, sets clear goals andprovides their teams with the empowerment and tools to achieve success. Promotes positive teamrelations by investing in essential team routines that produce a healthy and inclusive culture, includingperformance management, professional development, celebrations, team bonding, effective problemsolving and communication. Invests in employee learning, growth, development and improvement.Motivates employees in advancing and tracking career goals. Ensures employee skills and competenciesmatch organizational needs. Identifies and develops leadership skills among employees and teammembers within your department. Links employee’s role to the success of the mission.

  • SELF-MANAGEMENT- Plans ahead, manages time well, arrives on time. Behaves in a professionalmanner. Expresses and controls emotions and understands, interprets, and responds to the emotions ofothers appropriately. Understands, uses, and manages own emotions in ways to relieve stress,communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Remainsaware of feelings, actions and impressions in self and others. Remains open and receptive to feedback,demonstrates a willingness to learn, and embraces continuous improvement in self and others

CORE COMPETENCIES-Core Competencies are the aptitudes, beliefs or actions that reflect the values ofthe organization and demonstrate what sets that organization apart, ultimately moving the organizationtoward the mission. Highly successful employees at the City of Reno will demonstrate these CoreCompetencies.

  • PRIDE: Acts in stewardship of public resources and public trust. Takes ownership of the success of theCity mission seeking excellence in every act, and delivering efficient and high quality service. Strives tomaximize public benefit and takes pride in the community we are creating.

  • CREATIVITY: Demonstrates forward thinking and embraces opportunities for continuous improvement.Thoughtfully overcomes challenges and seeks new solutions to resolve issues. Uses innovation tofurther the mission of the City of Reno.

  • INTEGRITY: Treats people with courtesy and respect. Achieves a standard of excellence, honoring Citypolicies and all regulatory requirements. Holds self and others accountable and assumes a position oftrust bringing honor to the mission of the City of Reno.

  • RESPECT: Instills public faith in the City of Reno by demonstrating a heart for public service and treatingall people with dignity. Remains approachable and seeks to effectively communicate in a way that valuesothers as a part of a greater community that we are all proud to call home.

  • INCLUSIVITY: Demonstrates knowledge, understanding, appreciation and commitment to a communitythat is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Holds self and others accountable in support of diversity and therichness it brings to our community. Cultivates a sense of belonging and appreciation; dedicates self to being part of creating and advancing a respectful inclusive community. 


Essential Functions

Key Accountabilities:

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.


  • Understand, assess, and prepare recommendations for executive level administrators related to the revenue structures and tax distribution models of municipal and other government and quasi-governmental entities

  • Conduct research on resolutions, regulations, ordinances, state statues, and federal laws that may impact City revenues, budgets, and operations. 

  • Oversee, participate in,and conduct fiscal analyses on City programs and other proposals that may affect City operations and fiscal standing.

  • Provide leadership and technical expertise for conducting large-scale research projects involving multiple departments and agencies; and guide and provide technical support for the project.

  • Identify and track national economic trends and indicators in relationship to their impact on the local economy; and identify existing or emerging spatial issues pertinent to balanced regional development; interpret economic and financial data relative to the City’s financial management and explain phenomena and forecasted trends; highlight issues and make recommendations to City leadership

  • Assesses impact of economic trends and issues, tax laws and proposals, and makes projections of anticipated revenue collection

  • Evaluate, develop, and recommend policy options to inform and advise City leaders in the decision-making process and impact local government planning; and provide technical input on the formulation of key recommendations to inform policy positions for the City.

  • Develop reports that analyze and model regional urban development issues, such as crime, land use restrictions, local housing and labor markets, agglomeration economics, and infrastructure; make recommendations related to the findings to inform policy development and decision makers. 

  • Conduct complex mathematical analysis and provide advice based on findings; develop principles and frameworks, study methodologies, techniques, tools and data to use in the analysis, develop checklists and data collection instruments.

  • Develop, design, manage, and use various complex econometric models and tools for the collection of qualitative data sets; and produce preliminary data analysis to check for reliability and validity of the data.

  • Assess key socio-economic indicators that reflect urban functions, and the impact of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations. 

  • Provide technical support for stakeholder discussions and assist in presenting a detailed outline of reports/findings.

  • Prepare reports that include pictures, maps, graphs and illustrations, as necessary, to make the report more attractive and communicative; and review and assure quality and accuracy of the reports.

  • Provide assistance and consultation to a variety of professional and technical personnel in various City departments engaged in economic research, financial analysis, and statistics activities.

  • Oversee the long-range economic and policy analysis function of the Office of Policy and Strategy, including carrying out the vision of the program and building work programs to accomplish City and department goals; supervise staff, as needed

  • Provide staff assistance to the Director of Policy and Strategy; prepare and present clear and concise staff reports and other necessary correspondence related to the findings of complex economic analysis.

  • Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the profession; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

  • Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. 

Knowledge of:

Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive municipality.

Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.

State and local revenue structures, tax distribution models, and tax policy.

Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Economic and accounting principles and practices, financial markets, banking and analysis, and reporting of financial data.

Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Micro- and macro-economic theory.

Principles and practices of research and survey sampling techniques.

Principles of econometrics and forecasting and micro and macro-economic theory.

Economic indicators relative to national and local economic trends.

Graphic and narrative techniques for the presentation of data.

Mathematics and statistical theory.

Ability to:

Gather economic data and present findings.

Perform quantitative analysis and economic and demographic forecasting.

Analyze and interpret economic and survey data and reports.

Design, conduct and oversee research studies.

Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Prepare clear and concise reports.

Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work

Collect, quickly interpret, and analyze information from a variety of sources, apply criteria, drawconclusions and develop recommendations, guidelines, and policies.

Perform mathematical and statistical analysis and modeling.

Effectively organize, prepare and disseminate information through reports, studies and presentations.

Present information to agency management, City executives and elected officials in a clear,concise manner.

 Plan, set priorities, and organize numerous work assignments to meet tight and often conflictingdeadlines.

Work tactfully and effectively with employees, supervisors and managers, and with elected andappointed officials and senior staff in assigned departments and agencies.

Make mathematical computations to determine selling price, discounts, percentages, volumes, weights and measures, reorder quantities, and related statistics.

Lead and work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals.

Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines – Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in mathematics, economics, statistics, urban planning, public administration, public policy, political science, or a closely related field.  Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience:

Four years of experience performing increasingly responsible statistical, economic and/or policy analysis and evaluation.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands and Working Environment – The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel to attend meetings; incumbents may be required to work extended hours and weekends.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.