Chief Economist

Job Description
Position Summary: The Chief Economist is responsible to help establish and sustain NRECA and the electric cooperative network as leaders in the economic aspects of improving the quality of life for people living in rural communities across the country. A key focus of this role will be evaluating and advancing electrical grid and energy markets supporting the rural and agricultural sectors, as well as the impact that human capital investments (including compensation, retirement, health/welfare, and other investment programs) can have on the long-term viability of these communities. The Chief Economist must have relationships at the highest levels of the economic community in these sectors and participate in meetings on behalf of NRECA and the co-ops in government, industry, and professional forums and participate through authored papers and presentation. The Chief Economist organizes the pursuit of socio-economic research and leads or supports regulatory, legislative and economic forum filings where appropriate. The Chief Economist must support and recruit high level economic and market talent and build partnerships with leading researchers in industry and academic institutions. The Chief Economist supports NRECA, its electric cooperative members, and affiliated member economists in their vital role to fulfill the business needs of electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. Within NRECA, the Chief Economist is responsible for management and administration of staff within the Business & Technology Strategies team involved in data analytics, modeling and reporting. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Directs, pans, and conducts research, economic policy and analyses to assess and project short- and long-term impacts of issues and trends in the energy/electrical, ag/rural, human capital and related investment sectors of the economy that can impact overall quality of life. * Provides economic advice and analysis to NRECA, it’s members and other key stakeholders in the area of general economic developments, capital and labor markets. * Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates general and regional economic trends and financial and economic developments that have a direct bearing on cooperatives and rural America. * Conducts or commissions economic impact studies of proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting electric cooperatives. Assures that study conclusions and recommendations are timely, of the highest quality and are provided to the appropriate leadership within NRECA. * Conducts analyses identifying trends and opportunities affecting rural America, community growth and development opportunities. * Manages competitive industry resesarch and analysis. Leads programs to improve market structure. Serves as the internal technical expert for NRECA staff and America’s Electric Cooperatives with respect to industry structure and market economics. * Researches local and regional economic issues and provides consultation regarding the development of dynamic regional and local economies, as well as urban and rural regeneration. Proposes solutions to issues such as labor markets, education and skills, deprivation and social inclusion, inward investment and business development. * Leads and directs the work of experienced economists and analysts. * Llaises with technical staff at other trade associations and allied organizations to further the development of economic analysis in relevant sectors. * Proactively collaborates with other departments within NRECA to ensure that cooperative members and other key stakeholders receive the highest degree of coordinated engagement and the most relevant information on a timely and consistent basis. * Responsible for the proper security and disposal of any confidential information that he or she may possess in the course of performing this position's job duties, as well as ensuring staff compliance with security protocols in accordance with NRECA’s Personnel and Administrative Policy and HIPAA Privacy and Security Policies and Procedures Manuals. Direct Reports to this Position: Program Manager Data and Analysis Lead Economist
Qualifications
Formal Education and Certifications Required: Master's of Economics required – Ph.D in Economics preferred. Experience Required: Twenty years of related power industry, ag/rural sector and retirement/pension sector experience. Ten to fifteen years of progressively responsible experience analyzing energy and/or other relevant socio-economic issues affecting the electric utility industry and rural communities in general. Experience with multivariate statistical methods, survey research and/or qualitative research and design and analyses, economic projections and forecasts – rural, ag, business economic outlook, socio-economic analyses, economic databases, indicators and performance measures. Five or more years experience working at or with electric cooperatives would be a plus. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required (as demonstrated by prior work experience): * Prominent presence in the economic and energy market communities. * Knowledge of the power sector and electric cooperative industry. * Knowledge of electric utility restructuring issues at both state and federal levels. * Knowledge of socio-economic and demographic data and trends. * Ability to plan and manage complex, multi-dimensional studies and analyses. * Ability to present complex information in an manner that is understandable and actionable by a wide variety of audiences, including co-op members, elected officials and the media. * Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner. * Ability to support in a collaborative way a diverse organization’s needs for general economic, energy and rural community economic insights to support their business needs. * Ability to travel. * Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) in the day-to-day essential duties of the job. * Ability to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment. * Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful. Essential Physical Requirements: * The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading. * Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work. Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail humanresources@nreca.coop or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

EEO is the Law. The law requires NRECA to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination. For information regarding your legal rights and protections, please click on the following link: EEO is the Law and EEO is the Law Supplement .

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

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Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: Multiple Locations