Job Description
The Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) is seeking a Research Analyst to join their Economic Development Services team. Reporting to the Economic Development Director, the Research Analyst role encompasses certain regular tasks around the collection and analysis of core socioeconomic data, as well as a range of activities that contribute to and support the team’s production and delivery of research and marketing material for use in a wide variety of business attraction and expansion, community development, and planning initiatives in the fast-growing Upstate SC region.
Essential Duties
- Work as part of a dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary team focused on using data and technology to support informed regional economic development and community planning
- Conduct research and analyze data
- Identify emerging trends, needs, and services related to assigned area of offerings
- Ensure data quality and consistency
- Assist with maintenance of socioeconomic databases and mapping applications
- Provide technical assistance and training to partner economic development organizations, municipalities, and counties
- Pursue relevant grant opportunities and assist in the preparation of applications for federal and state grants
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Planning and economic development principles and practice
- Report preparation methods
- Marketing and/or public outreach principles
- Computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and desktop publishing applications
Skills:
- Data management
- Technical and narrative writing
- Strong attention to detail
- Effective time management
Abilities:
- Analyze and synthesize data
- Prepare a reports and presentations for a variety of audiences
- Manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
- Demonstrate independent problem-solving and decision-making
- Exercise sound judgement
- Adapt to changing technology
- Speak in public with confidence
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external colleagues
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, economic or community development, public or business administration, finance, or a related field
- Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two (2) or more years’ experience in economic development, business attraction and/or economic development research, community development planning, or a related field
- Proficiency in the use of the Adobe Creative Suite, Tableau, or other data visualization applications, and Esri ArcGIS
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job may be substituted for education at the discretion of organization management.
Compensation and Benefits
- Starting salary of $49,000 - $61,000, depending upon qualifications and experience
- Potential for up to 50% remote work after successful on-boarding period
- SC State Employee Health Insurance and Retirement Programs
- Twelve paid holidays per year, plus annual leave and sick leave
About Our Organization
The Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) is a voluntary organization of local governments in Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties of Upstate South Carolina. Since its founding in 1965, ACOG has evolved into a multifaceted service organization for local governments, providing public administration, planning, economic development, grants, and workforce development services, as well as a variety of services for the senior population. Funding for ACOG’s programs and services comes from a variety of sources, including grants from federal and state agencies and dues from member local governments.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $49,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience level:
Schedule:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Ability to Relocate:
- Greenville, SC 29607: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Greenville, SC 29607