DOLA Population Projections Demographer (Statistical Analyst III or IV)

About the Department

Who can Apply

This opportunity is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

About the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.

Vision

The Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through: accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building; strategic training, research, and technical assistance; and funding to localities.

Mission

Our mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communities.

Why work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?

The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our communities and are passionate about supporting our communities. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs. 

In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:

• Medical and Dental Plans

• Strong, secure, yet flexible Retirement Plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans

• Employee Wellness Programs

• Paid Life Insurance

• 11 paid Holidays per year plus Vacation and Sick Leave

• Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage

• RTD Eco Pass to all eligible State Employees

• Flexible work schedule options and hybrid work options

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Training opportunities

• Variety of Free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

Please see the  Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

Position Duties

Join the State Demography Office (SDO) within the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), where your work will shape the future of our communities! We are a dynamic team dedicated to providing accurate, insightful data that guides policy and planning decisions across the state. Our office is at the forefront of applied demographic research and analysis, and we're looking for a talented demographer to help us produce population, household, and labor force forecasts by different characteristics and contribute to our mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Coloradans. SDO serves as a crucial part of decision-making by the Governor, General Assembly, state agencies, and local governments each year. As an employee of the SDO, you will be part of a team of dedicated professionals who work hard every day to provide vital data and information to serve the people of Colorado.

As the Population Projections Demographer, you will lead the development of the population, labor force, and household forecasts that inform state and local policy decisions. Your work will directly impact housing and economic planning, social programs, and community development across Colorado. You will collaborate with a team of demographers, economists, and planners to ensure that our state’s forecasts are both accurate and actionable.

The primary duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and maintenance of the SDO’s demographic cohort-component population projections model, programming the relationships of survival, fertility, and migration of the population at the county level for the total population and at the state level for racial and ethnic groups of the population. 

• Manage large databases (e.g. over 500,000 records), maintain documentation of data sources and files for use by others. 

• Prepare forecasts of households by household type by relating household composition and/or formation to age of householder and household members by the use of statistical analysis and the study of national, state, regional, and local trends and relationships. 

• Design new statistical models to predict population change. Routinely develop guidelines and methods to create population, household and labor force forecasts.

• Prepare forecasts of the labor force by age and gender that are consistent with current population forecasts by the use of statistical analysis and the study of national, state, regional, and local trends and relationships.

• Prepare reports and other publications and give public speeches presenting the above mentioned data and analyses, describing assumptions and procedures used in developing forecasts, and summarizing the resultant population and economic forecasts by writing text, preparing charts and tables, and materials for public presentations.

• As the agency expert in population estimates and forecasts for the state, performs leading-edge applications of mathematical formulations and inferential statistical techniques in the analysis and forecasting of economic and demographic variables. Provide reliable data that influences management decisions for the agency.

This position is being posted as either Statistical Analyst III or IV class, depending on the candidate’s skills and experience. In addition to the duties above, the Statistical Analyst IV position will entail supervision and higher level duties, to include:

• Represent the State Demographer as needed in key meetings.

• Supervise two or more statistical analysts by mentoring, guiding, managing performance, assigning tasks, monitoring work, approving timecards and making hiring recommendations.

• Have senior authority (expertise) in demographic projections delegated by management.

• Oversee the development and implementation of technical systems for the preparation of the population estimates and forecast of published reports. 

Minimum Qualifications

Class Code & Classification Description

I1B3XXStatistical Analyst III

I1B4XXStatistical Analyst IV

While this position is posted as a Statistical Analyst III, there is flexibility for progression should the top candidate have the skills and experience for the Statistical Analyst IV classification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only for Statistical Analyst III:

Seven (7) years of experience in demographic or economic analysis which must have included:

• Detailed experience in statistics and the proven ability to use them independently in an applied demographic environment to resolve complex and difficult issues;

• Comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. Census Bureau and other population and population related data sources and use of U.S. Census Bureau data in analysis;

• Senior level knowledge and experience of at least one statistical or geospatial software program such as SAS, R, Python, or STATA, and the ability to use that software to independently devise methods and processes to resolve complex or difficult issues;

• Senior level skills with Microsoft office products: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and database software.

OR

Education and Experience for Statistical Analyst III: A combination of related education in Business Analytics, Economics, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Mathematics or a closely related field (as determined by the agency) AND experience as described above equal to seven (7) years.

The Statistical Analyst IV classification includes the experience listed above with an additional 1 year requirement. The selected candidate will be assessed for class placement. 

Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for.

Applicants must upload their unofficial college transcripts that include the student name, college name, courses completed and/or degree with date conferred with this application, in order to receive credit.

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution.

Required Competencies

• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind

• Advanced experience using Excel, including use of pivot tables, advanced functions (such as VLOOKUPS), data analysis, and data visualization

• Experience conducting statistical analysis and forecasting

• Experience working with U.S. Census Bureau data and/or state-level demographic data

• Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and visual communication 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced statistical and spreadsheet software coding skills, with a preference for experience with R and Excel

• Experience producing population estimates and projections

• Experience with demographic and socioeconomic data

• Experience with fertility and survival rates

• Experience with data analytics and visualization techniques

• Knowledge of database software applications (Microsoft Access and/or SQL)

• Familiarity with the Google suite (Gmail, Google docs, Google sheets)

• Presentation skills, specifically in the area of demographic data

• For the Statistical Analyst IV position an additional year of management or supervision experience is preferred

Conditions of Employment

• You MUST be a Colorado resident (at the time of application) to apply for this position. 

• Pre-employment criminal background checks will be conducted as part of the selection process. 

• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. DOLA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. DOLA does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

• MUST have a valid, unrestricted Colorado drivers license with a safe driving record. A safe driving record requires the following: 

  • No convictions within the last seven (7) years for Reckless driving; Vehicular manslaughter; Driving under the influence (DUI); Two (2) or more driving while ability impaired (DWAI) convictions; One (1) conviction related to bodily injury or death to another person as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239. Eluding the police; or Street racing. 

  • No convictions within the last five (5) years for: Three (3) or more careless driving convictions; or  Speeding 20 mph over the speed limit. Two (2) convictions related to distracted driving or use of a mobile  electronic device as described in C.R.S. 42-4-239. 

  • No convictions within the last three (3) years for: Three (3) or more moving violations with a total of more than seven (7) points assessed on the license; or Suspension or revocation of driver license (unless for unpaid child support or other suspension not related to a moving violation).

  • No requirement of a breath monitoring device, also known as Interlock, to operate a motor vehicle.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.

Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application. Applications left blank or marked “See Resume” will not be accepted. Please address every requirement for the position with your experience in your application.

The application may include the following documents that MUST be uploaded at the time of application:

• A resume (this is not a substitute for the online application demonstrating work history)

• Cover letter / letter of interest

• Transcripts (if using education to meet the minimum qualifications)

• DD214 (member-4 form) from applicants that may be eligible for veteran’s preference

Comparative Analysis

Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) are required to participate in the comparative analysis process through this job posting.

Applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) for the position. Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, training and experience review, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants. Be sure your application specifically addresses the requirements as listed in the minimum qualifications. Address your specialized experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position duties, required competencies and preferred qualifications in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

Other Qualifications

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 

DOLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Melissa Bellew, DOLA ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

Email Address: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

Biweekly Pay: As of July 1, 2023, all DOLA new hires, including transfers of current state employees and reinstatements of former state employees, will be placed on the biweekly pay schedule. This means you will be paid every other Friday for a total of 26 pay periods over the course of a year. Biweekly pay is also lag pay, meaning you will be paid two weeks after the end of each pay period. Please click here for more information about the move to biweekly payroll.

Technical Assistance: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) please contact NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

Appeal Rights: An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director. As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action. For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

For questions related to this job posting, please reach out to Danielle Milone via email at [email protected].

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/