Environmental Economist - Economic Policy Analyst

The Environmental Economist position at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency involves conducting economic analyses to support environmental regulatory and policy efforts. Responsibilities include evaluating benefits and costs, assessing ecosystem services, conducting independent research, and providing financial analysis for compliance cases. Candidates should have three years of experience in economic and policy analysis, strong communication skills, and familiarity with statistical tools. This is a full-time role based in Moorhead, MN.
About the position

The Environmental Economist position at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency involves conducting economic analyses to support regulatory and policy efforts aimed at protecting water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. The role requires evaluating and quantifying the benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of various alternatives using economic principles and statistical techniques, while also assessing ecosystem services related to water quality. The incumbent will conduct independent research, correlate complex technical findings, and interpret economic theories and reports, providing financial analysis support for compliance cases and natural resource assessments.

Responsibilities
• Conduct economic analyses to support regulatory and policy efforts.
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• Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternatives.
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• Assess ecosystem services tied to maintaining water quality.
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• Conduct independent research and correlate complex technical findings.
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• Interpret economic theories and reports.
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• Provide financial analysis support for compliance ability-to-pay cases and natural resource damage assessments.
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• Support agency staff by performing economic, financial, and statistical analyses.

Requirements
• Three years of advanced professional experience in economic and policy analysis.
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• Ability to develop creative solutions to complex issues using economic principles and scientific processes.
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• Experience preparing comprehensive reports summarizing information into tables or texts.
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• Experience interpreting governmental or financial policies.
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• Ability to present information in writing and verbally to various stakeholders.
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• Experience coordinating and participating in stakeholder engagement activities.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience applying economic and financial principles to inform environmental regulatory decisions.
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• Experience with state government financial policies and practices.
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• Experience managing large data sets and statistical design within the environmental field.
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• Expertise with statistical computer packages (including R and SAS) and mastery of Microsoft products.
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• Familiarity with the environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP).

Benefits