RESEARCH ECONOMIST - SES - 76002106

Requisition No: 862387 

Agency: Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle

Working Title: RESEARCH ECONOMIST - SES - 76002106

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 76002106 

Salary:  $65,000.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Office of the Executive Director

Office of Financial Management

*Selected Exempt Services*

*Open Competitive*

To be considered for this position, applicant responses to qualifying questions must be clearly stated within the employment history. Software systems, actual work experience, and years of employment must be clearly defined, or the application may not be considered for the position. 

Contact Person: Steve Burch, (850) 617-3404

The Organization
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education, and enforcement. With a workforce of approximately 4,500 employees throughout the state, the Department is leading the way to A Safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles, and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol.

 
Our Benefits include

• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual and Sick Leave Package
• Nine Paid Holidays
• State Health and Life Insurance
• Educational Benefits
• Contributory Retirement Plan  

To learn more about FLHSMV and why it’s a great place to work, visit our website at: flhsmv.gov/careers.   

If you're seeking employment with a meaningful mission, opportunities for skill growth and career advancement, competitive medical and life insurance, retirement benefits, ample vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and educational assistance, consider building your career at FLHSMV!  

Duties and Responsibilities
As a Research Economist - SES within the Office of Financial Management, this role plays a critical part in ensuring the responsible review of financial data and producing reliable financial reporting. The primary focus is on revenue forecasting, financial analysis, and compliance to support the agency’s operational and strategic goals.

The Research Economist - SES assists in developing the agency’s revenue forecast for the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC), analyzes financial data, and performs research for Legislative Bill Analysis. The role also includes preparing reports for agency leadership, the Governor’s Office, and the Legislature, while ensuring compliance with Florida Statutes and administrative codes. Additionally, the Research Economist – SES will provide insights and recommendations for legislative budget inquiries and audits.

This position will support the agency’s transition from the FLAIR (Florida Accounting Information Resource) system to Florida PALM (Planning, Accounting, and Ledger Management). This transition represents a significant modernization of the state’s financial management processes, and the Research Economist - SES plays a key role in ensuring a seamless shift by assisting with system implementation, data migration, and process adaptation.

Collaboration is crucial, as the Research Economist - SES engages closely with department heads and program managers to ensure that financial planning aligns with operational priorities. Additionally, they coordinate with the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, offering feedback on requests and related data.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill in operating personal computers, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and other financial management software
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret financial data to prepare accurate reports and forecasts
• Ability to solve problems and think critically, developing innovative solutions to improve processes and operational efficiencies
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey financial information, policy updates, and strategic plans to leadership
• Skill in planning, organizing, and coordinating work assignments, ensuring compliance with deadlines and legislative requirements
• Ability to develop financial projections and forecasts
• Ability to adapt to changes in financial policies, legislative mandates, and funding allocations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and operational continuity

Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Two or more years of experience using Microsoft Office programs Word and Excel
• Two or more years of experience in the collection of data, ensuring timely reporting of data, and/or updating procedures
• Two or more years of experience planning, coordinating or organizing work assignments

Job Related Requirements

• The incumbent may be required to work additional hours during peak periods of the state fiscal year end cycle. These cyclical demands include, but are not limited to, the Legislative Session, the beginning and end of the Fiscal Year, and the submission of the Department’s Legislative Budget Request.
• The position you are applying is subject to a Level 2 background check, along with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) clearance, to include a fingerprint-based check of the criminal records of the FBI, as a condition of employment pursuant to Chapter 110.1127, 435 and 943, Florida Statutes.  Please note that, since this position requires CJIS clearance, the Department will have access to all an applicant’s criminal and juvenile delinquency records, even those that have been sealed or expunged. 

General Information

• The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment and/or oral interview.
• Applicants being considered for employment will be required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation, which will include a check of the criminal history records of the FBI. Fingerprints and associated information/biometrics will be retained in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system and fingerprints may continue to be compared against fingerprints submitted to or retained by NGI.
• FLHSMV employees are paid once a month on the last workday of each month.  All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113 Florida Statutes. 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.