JOB PROFILE
JOB STORE # 158
POSITION # 69732
TITLE: ECONOMIST
MINISTRY:
CLASSIFICATION: ECONOMIST 24
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
WORK UNIT: MODELLING, ANALYSIS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT BRANCH
SUPERVISOR TITLE:
MANAGER, MODELLING & ANALYSIS
SUPERVISOR POSITION #: 78351
JOB OVERVIEW
Through its modelling and forecasting, analysis, performance measurement, evaluation and project management work
the Modelling, Analysis and Information Management Branch provides quality information and advice to ministry
decision makers that address the ministry’s policy, program and performance management needs. The work of the
branch spans and serves the ministry’s six ministry service delivery areas (early childhood education and child care, child
and youth special needs, child and youth mental health, child welfare and protection, adoptions and youth justice) and
ministry support areas including quality assurance and finance.
The Economic Analyst: supports projects involving the application of economic and statistical techniques and economic
theory; collects, manages and updates the data required for such projects; monitors and analyzes socio-economic trends
and variables; monitors ministry caseloads, cost and expenditures; undertakes environmental scans and analyses and
monitors child, youth and family policies and programs across jurisdictions. The results of the Economist Analyst’s work
helps define the ministry’s strategic and policy direction, informs the ministry’s service planning efforts, identifies
opportunities for program and policy responses and directly impacts the goals, objectives and financial commitments of
the ministry.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Required:

Uses and maintains models and performs economic and statistical analyses to understand and identify the
economic, social, program and budgetary impacts of program and policy changes and the effects of socioeconomic changes on existing, new or proposed policies and programs.

Supports the creation of forecasting models and projections. Undertakes modeling and forecasting work
including work on provincial and regional case loads, utilization costs and expenditures. Maintains and refines
models on a regular basis, tests models and maintains high quality assurance, advises senior managers on
modeling results and produces recommendations for management.

Supports the development of program reviews and evaluations.

Identifies any intrinsic weaknesses in economic information/data and provides explanations of significant
variation.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Policy Research & Economics
Economics
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Professional
June 2011

Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of computations, analyses, methodologies and statistics and the
appropriate integration of information.

Develops and maintains comprehensive information resources to support studies through identification,
acquisition and quality control of data.

Conducts environmental scans and reviews external research reports, literature and academic journals for
trends, issues, and methodologies related to program area; reports on findings; examines the applicability of
issues and methodologies to B.C. and adapts research and analysis.

Reviews and adapts research and analysis prepared in other jurisdictions. Reviews literature and academic
journals to ensure new trends, issues and methodologies are examined regarding their applicability to B.C.

Provides guidance, interpretation and recommendations regarding the research, collection, analysis and
reporting of information.

Conducts planning, research and analysis for the development of research proposals.

Participates in multi-disciplinary projects, committees and working groups involving policy, program, finance,
research and systems staff. This work may be inter- or intra-ministerial.

Develops and designs monitoring and analytical reports, ensuring that economic, financial, technical and
management information and its implications is clearly articulated and effectively communicated.

Prepares issue papers, briefing notes, estimates, submissions, responses and other documents for review.
Prepares oral and written presentations of complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Establishes and maintains working relationships with ministry program, policy and regional staff and
professional staff from other jurisdictions and levels of government.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or closely related field such as statistics, commerce, mathematics, public
administration, business or equivalent with coursework and 2 years practical experience in statistical, economic
or data analysis; Or

A Master’s (preferred) in Economics or closely related field such as statistics, commerce, mathematics, public
administration, business or equivalent with coursework and 6 months practical experience in statistical,
economic or data analysis.
Related Experience:

Experience conducting economic and statistical analysis such as socio-economic analysis, forecasting, cost
benefit analysis, and regression analysis and analyzing complex problems.

Experience leading or participating in economic or statistical research projects and drafting/developing complex
economic and statistical research documentation.

Experience in providing clear, understandable explanations to others.

Experience with data collection, manipulation, analysis, and synthesis.

Advanced experience in computer applications, including spreadsheets, database management, econometric
software and SQL programming.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Policy Research & Economics
Economics
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Professional
June 2011

Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal
records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as
required by the ministry (Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the
specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position).
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Analytical Thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and
identifying key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and compare the
various aspects of a problem or situation, and determine cause-and-effect relationships ("if...then…") to resolve
problems in a sound, decisive manner. Checks to ensure the validity or accuracy of all information.

Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns or connections between situations that are not obviously
related, and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative, conceptual or
inductive reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.

Expertise includes the motivation to expand and use technical knowledge or to distribute work-related
knowledge to others.

Information Seeking is driven by a desire to know more about things, people or issues. It implies going beyond
the questions that are routine or required in the job. It may include "digging" or pressing for exact information;
resolution of discrepancies by asking a series of questions; or less-focused environmental "scanning" for
potential opportunities or miscellaneous information that may be of future use.

Relationship Building is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people
who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving work-related goals and establishing advantages. These
people may include customers, clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Policy Research & Economics
Economics
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Professional
June 2011