Title: Chief Economist and Director of Revenue Forecasting

State Role Title: Policy Planning Manager III

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Department of Taxation

Location: Main Street Center

Agency Website: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/work-with-us

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Taxation is seeking a qualified Chief Economist and Director 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 revenue forecasts, ensuring 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 to inform 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 September 8th, 2023 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 $180,000. Relocation assistance is available if needed.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule with up to 2 days remote and 3 days in office per week.

Did you know that over 8 million citizens rely on more than $34 billion of revenue the Virginia Department of Taxation collects to fund government services that affect their daily lives? Virginia Tax, headquartered in Richmond, is responsible for administering 37 state and local taxes, sales and use taxes, and miscellaneous excise taxes with integrity, efficiency, and consistency. Virginia Tax works directly with individual and business taxpayers and local governments to ensure the Commonwealth’s revenue is collected and taxes administered with fairness, diligence, and integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead development of Virginia’s annual economic General Fund and Transportation Fund revenue forecasts 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)
• Supervise development of the JABE and GACRE economic/revenue publications
• Provide strategic leadership to the Office of Revenue Forecasting team comprised of four economists
• 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 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

Minimum Qualifications

• Significant experience in forecasting and statistical analysis
• Extensive knowledge and experience forecasting revenue and economic variables
• In-depth understanding of economics principles, statistical techniques, and revenue estimating methodologies
• 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
• 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
• Education in Economics, Public Policy or related field

Additional Considerations

• Extensive experience in applied econometrics, experience in economic consulting, government investigations, or other equivalent regulatory experience
• Experience with leading large-scale projects
• Proficiency in STATA, Python or other statistical software programs
• Understanding of the interaction between federal tax law changes and state tax policy (e.g., TCJA) and the potential impacts of tax planning structures (such as elective Pass-through Entity Taxes) on state revenues

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

All Virginia Tax employees must be current with filing their tax returns ensuring they were filed in compliance with established laws, rules and regulations. Selected candidate(s) will be required to consent to and successfully pass a background investigation, which includes fingerprint-based criminal history, tax compliance, and DMV driving record (if applicable) checks.

Pursuant to Sections 2.2-3115 and 2.22-3115 of the Code of Virginia, this position is designated to file a Statement of Economic Interests Form on or before the date the office or position is assumed and annually thereafter.

The selected candidate will be prohibited from performing tax or accounting services for compensation during or outside business hours.

Virginia Tax is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workforce. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, genetics, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities, if requested, during the application and/or interview process. If accommodations are needed, please contact Human Resources at (804) 786-3610.

Virginia Tax is committed to providing equal opportunity to disabled individuals and willing to provide reasonable accommodations to enhance opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Virginia Tax participates in E-verify.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Contact Information

Name: Virginia Tax Talent Acquisition Team

Phone: 804-786-3608

Email: hroffice@tax.virginia.gov