Public Service Faculty - Applied Economist

Posting Number : F2547P

Working Title :

Public Service Faculty - Applied Economist

Department :

PSO-Carl Vinson Inst of Govt

About the University of Georgia :

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https : / / www.uga.edu / ) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College / Unit / Department :

The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government – Who We Are

As a Public Service and Outreach unit at the University of Georgia, the UGA Institute of Government contributes directly to the university’s overarching public service mission of improving people’s lives by helping to create jobs and prosperity, developing leaders, and addressing critical issues. This public service mission, and the Institute of Government’s role in its success, is at the heart of UGA’s land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia and its residents.

We have a team of experts who inform, inspire, and innovate every day so that governments, large and small, can be more efficient and responsive to their citizens, address current and emerging challenges, and serve the public with excellence. We are uniquely positioned to provide impartial support to local governments and state agencies and convene multidisciplinary and intragovernmental groups to plan for and address many of the challenges faced by communities across Georgia.

Our areas of expertise and focus include workforce and economic development; infrastructure and community resilience; government operations and organizational effectiveness; measuring and reporting on impact and outcomes; building skills, knowledge and capacity of government leaders and teams; and maximizing technology and data for governments and their leaders.

Whether it is through our award-winning PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) program for rural communities, our CyberArch student program that helps Georgia communities increase their cybersecurity, our efforts to build a visionary plan for military and community partnerships to spur economic prosperity and resilient infrastructure, our financial management certificate program to build the capacity of public officials, or hosting educational events about e-mobility strategies for local governments …. We Know Georgia. Fulfilling our land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia is more than a project. It’s our purpose.

We are growing and excited to add individuals to our team who share our commitment to public service – building stronger communities, inspiring economic resilience, and improving quality of life for communities across Georgia and beyond.

Our Culture – How We Operate

We disseminate knowledge through research, scholarship, and instruction. We collaborate internally across our areas of expertise and across the university with academic researchers to bring best practices and expert insights to the governments and communities we serve. We are committed to fielding a team of experts who have a variety of professional and academic experiences and are grounded in our culture of excellence and approach our work with Georgia’s governments in a comprehensive and objective fashion.

College / Unit / Department website :

www.CVIOG.uga.edu

Posting Type : External

Retirement Plan : TRS or ORP

Employment Type : Employee

Benefits Eligibility :

Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary :

Compensation will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant

Anticipated Start Date :

02 / 01 / 2026

Job Posting Date : 11 / 04 / 2025

Open until filled : Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants :

Compensation will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. Candidates will be considered for the position until it is filled. Application materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vita, a brief writing sample from a technical report, and three references with contact information. The finalists for the position will be required to provide three letters of recommendation. All applicants must apply through UGAJobs to be considered for the position.

Location of Vacancy :

Athens Area

EEO Statement :

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).

USG Core Values Statement :

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section8 / C224 / #p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section6 / C2653 .

Classification Title :

Public Service Professional AC

Faculty Rank : Open Rank

Contract Type : Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status : Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications :

A master’s degree in economics or applied economics, statistics, political science or similar quantitative field is required.

Position Summary :

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia invites applications for a public service faculty position in its Workforce and Economic Development Division. This position will utilize applied economics, data analysis, and research skills to assist state and local government decision makers with studies, models, evaluations, and other types of technical assistance. The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a Public Service Unit under the leadership of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. The position will be available February 1, 2026 and carries rank in the public service faculty career ladder of The University of Georgia. Rank on hire will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, according to Public Service and Outreach Appointment and Promotion Guidelines found here : https : / / outreach.uga.edu / resources / promotions /

The Institute is looking for individuals with a passion for public service who are curious and life-long learners. We are seeking professionals that can conduct rigorous research and deliver practical technical assistance, but also teach and share their expertise with our various audiences. The Institute of Government is uniquely positioned to provide objective support to state and local governments and provide timely and reliable applied research to address many of the challenges being faced by communities across Georgia. This position will have a critical role in guiding and informing the strategic decisions of governments across the state.

The successful candidate will have primary responsibilities in conducting economic analysis, fiscal analysis, economic impact studies, research and providing professional services for state agencies and local governments. The applied economist will also work on collaborative projects with the Institute’s applied demographer, workforce and economic development team, and data analytics teams. The position monitors and interprets economic, labor, demographic, and government administrative data indicators. The position analyzes developments in Georgia’s labor market, state tax and revenue, and other areas effecting Georgia’s economy and considers the impacts on the state’s economic outlook. The position uses and adjusts computer programs, models, and databases for data retrieval, manipulation, presentation, statistical analysis. The position involves consulting with local government officials, the state legislators, state agency leaders and staff, non-profits, and private groups; and preparing reports, and other publications that address practitioner / policymaker needs. This position has responsibility for providing technical assistance, project management, specialized analysis, and training on numerous projects in varying stages. Some travel / overnight travel required.

Additional Requirements :

The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Public Service Assistant, Public Service Associate, or Senior Public Service Associate.

Relevant / Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and / or Certification :

A master’s degree, with one year of experience, in economics or applied economics, statistics, political science or similar quantitative field is required. Ph.D. or equivalent is preferred.

The ideal candidate will have at least one year of work experience performing economic analysis and economic impact analysis in an applied setting.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and / or Competencies :

• Must be able to function effectively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Must have extensive knowledge of applied economics, including economic forecasting, conducting economic modeling, conducting policy and program analysis, and data analysis.
• Must have knowledge of labor markets and labor market data. Superb analytical and mathematical skills.
• Background using IMPLAN to conduct economic impact modeling.
• Must be able to effectively work alone, as a team member, or as a project lead.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for client interactions and public speaking skills are needed for presentations.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation and perform applied research as needed.
• Basic statistical analysis, data management, and process knowledge required.
• Knowledge and background doing applied research and addressing workforce and economic development challenges at the state and / or local government level.
• Background working on policy issues with state policy-makers and local government officials.
• Strong interest in public service and state economic trends.
• Background working on client projects with defined timelines and deliverables.
• Superb research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of applied economic principles, concepts, and practices.
• Knowledge of economic forecasting methodologies.
• Knowledge of statistics and research methods.
• Knowledge of economic modeling and associated tools (e.g., IMPLAN, REMI, etc.).
• Knowledge and ability to use statistical software (e.g. Stata, R, SAS, or Python).
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in data visualization.
• Skill in writing software programs for carrying out responsibilities.
• Ability to learn, adapt, and apply new economic analysis and forecasting techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and presentations simultaneously.
• Ability to explain complex methodologies and solutions in a practical manner.
• Ability to apply creative solutions to complex problems / issues.

Is this a Position of Trust? :

No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? :

No

Does this position require a P-Card? :

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? :

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position? :

Yes

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? :

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) :

No

Credit and P-Card policy :

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .

Background Investigation Policy :

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .

Duties / Responsibilities :

Lead applied economics applied research projects including coordinating with clients, developing project plans, preparing meeting materials, conducting research for projects, managing final deliverables, facilitating meetings, overseeing the efforts and contributions of other personnel, and other project management duties. Serve as the primary author on written products for projects managed. Typical products include final project reports, executive summaries, strategic plans, meeting notes, and presentations.

Percentage Of Time : 60

Duties / Responsibilities :

Serve as the lead methodologist and analyst for studies examining the economic and fiscal impact of tax policy as requested by the Governor’s Office, Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, or the Georgia General Assembly. Determine appropriate statistical and quantitative procedures to be used in analysis. Interpret results of analysis and effectively communicate the impact in writing.

Percentage Of Time : 60

Duties / Responsibilities :

Collaborate with colleagues across the Institute of Government to apply economic theory and economic methods to other applied research and technical assistance projects.

Percentage Of Time : 60