876110 - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - 40050061

Requisition No: 876110 

Agency: Commerce

Working Title: 876110 - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - 40050061

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 40050061 

Salary:  $45,000 to $48,900 

Posting Closing Date: 05/22/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

JOB TYPE:    FULL TIME /      Career Service

POSITION LOCATION:      Tallahassee, FL (relocation benefits are not available for this position) 

Research Associate

**ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

OPEN COMPETITIVE

www.floridajobs.org/

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Economic Consultant, this position is responsible for providing analytical and technical assistance for the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program.

Prepares a portion of the (QCEW) report of employment and wages by industry and geography.  Analyzes and comments on or makes corrections to all data that failed an edit within set time frames.

Acts as the liaison between the Florida QCEW program and the national Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Center on data collection issues.  This involves downloading data collected by EDS, working with the QCEW team on resolving EDI edit failures, and working with the EDI team on resolving employment and wage data issues.

Continually find ways to improve efficiencies in the program and maintain detailed work-paper records of assumptions, methodologies, coding notation and information sources utilized during the performance of all analytical tasks. This would include writing “R” code to develop new processes and running SQL queries to extract data from the database. Recommends the implementation of process improvements to the Economic Consultants.

Work with the BLS regional office to enhance existing macros to streamline processes to assist in improving the efficiencies in the QCEW program.

Handles quarterly requests from reoccurring customers.

Produces quarterly and annual tables for publication.

Assists management in the review of non-economic changes (NAICS, county, or multi establishment breakouts) during the quarter to ensure that data changes are correctly applied.

Assists in the automated processing of multiple worksite data.  This would include the conversion of existing accounts and the solicitation of future accounts in order to build efficiencies in the program.

Produces the report that display all micro level records that contribute to an employment and wage macro edit.  This entails pulling data from a database using R code and SQL.

Contribute to projects and assignments (involving data gathering, analysis, and presentation) as part of project teams ensuring integrity, timely, accurate and quality delivery while coordinating and supporting the project’s team.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis.
• Extensive knowledge and skill in analyzing and interpreting data, policy and procedures.
• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents and other written materials.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding research.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

As a condition of pre-employment eligibility, a Level 2 security background screening is required, which consists of fingerprinting and a check of local, state, and national law enforcement records. 

Minimum:

• May be required to travel and work overtime.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Economics, Statistics, Math or four years' experience in research and analysis.
• Experience using spreadsheet applications.
• Experience using Statistical Software Packages such as SAS, or R.

Pay:

$47,500 to $48,824

Our Organization and Mission:

FloridaCommerce works across the state to support Florida’s economy, robust and talented workforce, and our local communities. We are dedicated to making a stronger and more resilient Florida, so our businesses, communities, and workforce are better prepared to withstand future economic slowdowns and natural disasters.

In collaboration with our partners, we salute our nation’s veterans and are honored to have the opportunity to support them and their family members by encouraging them to apply at FloridaCommerce for positions that fit their skill sets.

FloridaCommerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  (TTY/TDD 1-800-955-8771 or the Florida Relay Service – 711.)

Let our mission become yours. To find out more about us, click on the link: http://www.floridajobs.org/

The Work You Will Do:        

The Research Associate is a member of the Labor Market Statistics (LMS) team in the Division of Workforce Services. The incumbent in this position is responsible for editing employment and wage data for the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program within LMS. 

The Difference You Will Make:

This position is part of a team that produces the most detailed industry and geographic data for the State.  These data are used to determine average employment and wages which are used by FloridaCommerce leadership, workforce and economic development agencies, employers, and educational institutions.

FloridaCommerce is a fast-paced work environment in which critical thinking and prioritizing are a must.

How You Will Grow:

FloridaCommerce encourages its employees to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies.  Trainings are made available throughout the year and on request with the Office of Training and Development within the Bureau of Human Resource Management. In accordance with our Vision and Mission, the employee:

• Furthers Florida’s economic vision by providing support that enhances the economy and develops, safe, and healthy communities.
• Meets customer/client expectations with an emphasis on responsiveness, quality, quantity, and timeliness of work.
• Provides information clearly, accurately, and succinctly; and exhibits good listening skills.
• Works collaboratively to optimize the effectiveness of FloridaCommerce’s available resources and tools.
• Uses knowledge acquired through education, training, or experience to complete tasks.

These expectations are for all our employees, and you will be expected to model these as a leader.  We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Where You Will Work:     

Tallahassee is Florida’s Capital City and continues to grow by attracting development and new businesses. Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend.  FloridaCommerce’s main office is located in Downtown Tallahassee, the political epicenter that draws in visitors each year to visit the state’s Capitol. Each spring, the legislative session opens, and people pour in to see the Florida Legislature perform business and approve the state’s annual budget. Being in Tallahassee will guarantee you an experience vibrant with a unique experience, professional growth, entertainment, and culture.

Tallahassee is:

• Known for its beautiful parks, rolling hills and oak trees, canopied roads, hotels, dining, museums, arts, music, and natural resources (https://talgov.com/ )
• Home to major college campuses, Florida State University (FSU), Florida A & M University (FAMU) and Tallahassee Community College (TCC).
• Approximately 22 miles from the nearest beach ( https://choosetallahassee.com/beaches-near-tallahassee/ )
• Within a state having no state income tax for residents of Florida

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

*  State Group Insurance coverage options+
 (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)

*  Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)

*  Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year

*  Annual and Sick Leave Benefits

*  Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required)

*  Flexible Spending Accounts

*  Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)

*  Ongoing comprehensive training provided

*  Career Growth      

*  Highly skilled, professional environment

*  State Group Insurance coverage options+
 (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)

*  Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)

*  Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year

*  Annual and Sick Leave Benefits

*  Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required)

*  Flexible Spending Accounts

*  Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)

*  Ongoing comprehensive training provided

*  Career Growth      

*  Highly skilled, professional environment

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.