877656 - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - 40050035

Requisition No: 877656 

Agency: Commerce

Working Title: 877656 - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - 40050035

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 40050035 

Salary:  $45,000.00-$47,900.00 

Posting Closing Date: 06/21/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

JOB TYPE:    FULL TIME /      CAREER SERVICE

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

Research Associate

OPEN COMPETITIVE

www.floridajobs.org/

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Under general supervision of the Economic Consultant-SES, this position involves the development of industry and employment projections for the State of Florida and various sub-state areas. This position involves forecasting both industry and occupational employment trends at the state and local level as part of the data production process. This position performs work compiling, coding, analyzing, and conducting research on employment and wage data for use in the preparation of current occupational employment estimates (staffing patterns) and occupational wages for the State of Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), and Balance-Of-State areas (BOS).

Produces occupational employment and wage estimates tables and forecasts for the State of Florida and numerous sub-state areas using the MicroMatrix system to convert industry projections into occupational projections. This may involve utilizing computer programs and/or advanced software application programs to assist in producing projections. Associate is responsible for generating OES survey employment and wage estimates tables for the Floridajobs.org and Florida Insight websites.  Files are produced for Florida statewide and all sub-state areas on an annual basis following the receipt of new survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Associate is also responsible for preparing detailed industry staffing pattern files for all workforce regions and other sub-state areas, as needed, for use in the development of occupational employment projections. Reviews occupational estimates on an annual basis.  Provides technical assistance for the maintenance and updating of the Local Employment & Wage Information System (LEWIS). Produces, reviews, screens and publishes employment and wage estimates using LEWIS. Imports new estimates data from BLS into LEWIS. Responds and provides data for all LEWIS requests.

Serves as Program Specialist. Updates and maintains Occupational Employment Statistics survey database files for Florida businesses selected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Serves on address refinement team as needed to ensure updates are made with proper usage of Melissa Data. Utilizes the internet to complete search for current address and updates business contact information   as needed.   Analyzes employment and wage data giving special attention to the data highlighted for review when being entered in the database.  Reviews quality assurance edits showing unusual occupations, high and low wages, missing, and dependent occupations. Reviews, verifies, and makes necessary corrections to the data entered.  Explains any unusual variances in staffing patterns and/or wages in the comment’s module.

Collects, compiles, analyzes, and reviews occupational employment and wage survey data for assigned survey units and their employment.  Analyzes and edits survey responses, assigns occupational codes to the job descriptions reported by employers, and enters the data into the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) computer software system. Reviews and processes all electronic survey responses with significant employment and occupations using the BLS provided “Auto-batch” utility.  Utilizes the internet to conduct research on businesses.  Verification of atypical data with the employer and the addition of written comments on the survey data file may be necessary. 

Reviews and corrects North American Industry Classification System codes assigned to individual establishments on the Occupational Employment Statistics survey sample.  Research and investigates businesses which indicate they are classified incorrectly on the Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages database.  After extensive analysis and review, makes any changes to the Occupational Employment Statistics survey database to reflect the best North American Industry Classification System code for all businesses selected for the Occupational Employment Statistics survey sample by Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Works closely with other units within and outside of Labor Market Statistics. Prepares economic reports and other labor market information with explanations, analyses, and general correspondence as needed. This may require the use of advanced computer software and/or the development of customized computer programs to produce these special reports, charts, graphs, and/or presentations of data for the user. Assists with responding to special requests for employment and wage information, which may be atypical from the standard reports produced by the OES program. This requires the use of the LEWIS software system to generate occupational employment and wage estimates for specific industries or geographic locations as requested by data users. Assist in industry and occupational forecasts for the State of Florida and numerous sub-state areas for use in the development of supply/demand.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and proficiency using Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to navigate the internet and conduct research
• Knowledge of statistical methods and economic principles
• Knowledge of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) coding taxonomies.
• Advanced software programs -Tableau, R-Suite, MS SQL Server, SQL Reporting services, understanding of SQL database management and architecture.
• Knowledge of economic theory and principles.

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:

• Duties and responsibilities of this position must be performed at the official work site of the Department.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Economics, Statistics, or Math or related social science.
• Four years of experience in research and data analysis.
• Experience using spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of advanced software (i.e., R, SAS, Tableau, SQL)

Pay:

$45,000.00 - $47,900.00 annually

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 team of the Division of Workforce Services.

This position is critical to meeting contract deliverables with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and involved in the development of industry and employment projections for the State and substate areas.

This position involves forecasting both industry and occupational employment trends at the state and local level as part of the data production process.  A thorough working knowledge of economic theory and principles, knowledge of statistics, the methods of data collection, the ability to collect and analyze data, and a broad knowledge of microcomputers, software, and programming are required.

This position involves work compiling, coding, analyzing, and conducting research on employment and wage data for use in the preparation of current occupational employment estimates (staffing patterns) and occupational wages for the State of Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), and Balance-Of-State areas (BOS). These estimates are the primary source for developing occupational employment projections used for program planning by the education and job training community.

No leadership responsibilities.

The Difference You Will Make:

This position is part of a team that produces the most detailed occupational employment and wage data for the State.  These data are used to determine average employment and wages which are used by Florida Commerce 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

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

* We care about the success of our employees.

* We are always improving our technology, our tools, our customer’s experiences, and ourselves.

* A rewarding experience for reliable, compassionate, and professional employees.

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.