Associate

Overall purpose of the position

ECOnorthwest is seeking a technically minded and intellectually curious Associate to support our applied economics work across a broad range of public- and private-sector projects. The Associate will conduct quantitative and qualitative research, contribute to economic and fiscal analyses, develop clear and defensible analytical methods, and communicate findings through reports, presentations, and other client deliverables. Projects may examine how policies, programs, investments, and major developments affect local and regional economies, public revenues and costs, workers, housing markets, businesses and industries, communities, land and natural resources, infrastructure, and public services.

The Associate will support projects in areas such as renewable energy, data centers and other large-scale infrastructure development, economic and community development, agriculture and natural resources, ecosystem services, land use, public finance, and workforce and housing. The ideal candidate enjoys working in a collaborative team environment, learning about unfamiliar topics, working with complex or incomplete information, and translating technical findings into useful insights for clients, policymakers, and communities. Prior experience in every subject area is not expected; curiosity, analytical rigor, strong writing, and a genuine interest in ECOnorthwest’s applied consulting work are essential.

Associates are important members of ECOnorthwest project teams. They may structure analyses, lead a work stream within a larger project, delegate tasks to Research Analysts and Senior Research Analysts, or manage smaller projects under the direction of a Project Director or Project Manager. Associates prepare sections of client presentations and reports and may prepare complete deliverables for smaller projects with limited direction. They help manage project scope, schedule, and budget; interact directly with clients; and contribute to proposals and other business development activities. Associates commonly work on multiple projects and proposals simultaneously and must balance competing priorities while communicating proactively about workload, progress, and potential concerns. This position is expected to maintain a billable-hours ratio of 75 percent after five months.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to conduct economic analyses using a variety of frameworks, such as economic impact analysis (e.g., input-output analysis using IMPLAN or similar models), fiscal impact analysis, industry and market analysis, workforce and labor market analysis, housing analysis, land-use and agricultural analysis, benefit-cost analysis, nonmarket valuation, and evaluation of public policies, programs, and investments. Direct experience in all frameworks not required, but familiarity with applied economic methods and their application across a variety of subjects desired.
• Strong spreadsheet and data-analysis skills, including the ability to organize and evaluate complex datasets, develop transparent calculations, identify inconsistencies, and independently check results.
• Ability to apply relevant qualitative, quantitative, statistical, and spatial methods and synthesize the results for client deliverables.
• Ability to integrate information from multiple sources, including government datasets, client-provided information, spatial data, plans and regulatory documents, academic and industry research, interviews, surveys, and other primary research.
• Ability to identify data limitations, evaluate the reasonableness of assumptions and results, and clearly distinguish evidence, interpretation, and uncertainty.
• Ability to translate technical methods and findings into clear narratives, tables, graphics, maps, and presentations for nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to understand the physical and operational characteristics of a proposed policy, program, investment, or development and determine how those characteristics affect the appropriate analytical approach.
• Ability to independently lead a technical analysis or work stream within a larger project through either: (1) specialized technical capabilities, such as input-output modeling, fiscal impact modeling, benefit-cost analysis, nonmarket valuation, statistical analysis, or spatial analysis; or (2) relevant subject-matter expertise, such as economic and community development, public finance, energy and infrastructure, agriculture and natural resources, or workforce and housing.
• Knowledge of, and ability to apply, relevant analytical and research frameworks, including appropriate datasets; database, spreadsheet, statistical, or spatial software; economic and planning principles; and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Ability to select appropriate principles, methods, and tools based on the project question, available information, client needs, and intended audience.
• Understanding of how data limitations and research methods may overrepresent, underrepresent, or otherwise affect particular populations and communities.
• Ability and motivation to learn unfamiliar subject matter, incorporate new information into project work, and adapt analytical approaches as project needs evolve.
• In collaboration with project leadership, ability to understand and communicate the strategic, regulatory, and political context and potential implications of the work while maintaining ECOnorthwest’s standards for objective, evidence-based analysis.

Project and Team Management Skills

• In collaboration with a Project Director or Project Manager, anticipates project and team needs and proactively addresses sensitive issues with collegiality, sound judgment, and initiative.
• Consistently produces accurate, polished, and client-ready analyses and written deliverables while meeting deadlines and managing competing priorities.
• Writes clearly and efficiently, responds constructively to editorial feedback, and revises te