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The Virginia Department of Taxation is seeking a qualified Chief Economist and Director for the Office of Revenue Forecasting. The primary role of the Chief Economist is to provide the Governor with timely and complete information and recommendations to make well-informed public policy and budget decisions.

This position reports to the Tax Commissioner and is responsible for complex, statewide economic research, including quantitative and qualitative analysis on Virginia and national economies and on state revenue and fiscal issues. The primary responsibility is the development of the annual General Fund and Transportation Fund’s revenue forecast and its quality and rigor.

Other responsibilities include identifying and analyzing state and national data to track long-term financial metrics that can support the reporting of the state’s economic performance; conducting analyses of the Commonwealth’s tax competitiveness relative to other states; and providing data-driven tax policy proposals for consideration by the Governor’s office and the legislature.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until filled. Applications submitted prior to August 1, 2022 will be interviewed promptly. Applications submitted after this date will be interviewed at a later date.

The anticipated salary is commensurate with experience up to $165,000.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead development of Virginia’s annual economic and General Fund and Transportation Fund’s revenue forecast to inform policymakers and assist in budget preparation and planning
• Lead meetings of the Joint Advisory Board of Economists (JABE) and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE)
• Provide strategic leadership to the Office of Revenue Forecasting comprised of four economists
• Supervise development of the JABE and GACRE economic/revenue publications
• Promote continuous improvement, generate new ideas, and adapt to changing priorities
• Perform economic/econometric forecasting functions using SAS, complex Excel spreadsheets, and SQLs
• Supervise the development/application of the national economic model, the Virginia model, and other inputs into the general fund revenue model
• Identify, analyze, and track state-level and national economic data that can be used as metrics to develop/report on state economic performance
• Respond to questions from the Governor, Governor’s staff, legislators, and legislative staff about state revenues and economic conditions
• Occasionally make public presentations on the economy and state budget

Interested applicants can apply to https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/300670

• Significant experience in forecasting and statistical analysis
• Possess broad expertise on Virginia’s economic and fiscal issues, as well as factors influencing state revenue collections
• Expert level knowledge of forecasting principles including econometric forecasting techniques
• Experience researching, compiling, and comprehensively understanding appropriate data from various sources for economic and revenue analysis
• Significant work experience in an analytical and quantitative role in business, economics, or related field
• Extensive knowledge and experience forecasting revenue and economic variables
• Experience collaborating with peers, managers, and policymakers
• Strong proficiency in Excel and SAS or similar statistical software packages
• Experience leading a professional forecasting staff directing economic and financial research
• Experience leading project teams and developing complex reports and recommendations
• Strong written and oral communication skills, especially with an ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely
• Graduate degree in economics or a related field