Population Estimates Program Manager
Posted: 9/26/2017 (Employment)
The Population Research Center (PRC) at Portland State University (PSU) seeks an experienced and dynamic population researcher to manage the Center’s Oregon Population Estimates Program (OPEP). Affiliated with the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) in the College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA), the PRC fulfills several Oregon statutory requirements through the Oregon Population Estimates program, the Oregon Population Forecast Program, and the Oregon Census State Data Center.
Additionally, the PRC works with local and state government and nonprofit agencies to conduct demographic analyses that support public and private decision making, such as school enrollment forecasts, analysis of trends and issues related to aging and public health, housing needs, and small geography population estimates. Center research faculty engage in a variety of research projects that provide data analysis to decision makers throughout the Portland metropolitan region and across Oregon.
Position Summary
The principal duty of the Oregon Population Estimates Program Manager is to produce annual population estimates for all cities and counties in Oregon on an annual basis, an annual Oregon Population Report, and quarterly supplemental reports.
The success of the program requires the Manager carry out the following responsibilities:
1) administration and planning (e.g., plan, manage, and implement the program research approach; establish and meet deadlines),
2) population estimation and demographic analysis (e.g. execution of data collection and database development, model development, and documentation of estimate assumptions), and
3) communication (e.g., reporting results in reports and public presentations).
Because population estimates drive decision making at the state and local level, the Manager is encouraged to engage with state and local decision makers and may be asked to make presentations explaining the assumptions and methodology of the estimates and to describe demographic conditions in Oregon. The position therefore may require some travel within Oregon. In addition, this position represents the PRC in the Federal State Cooperative for Population Estimates, requiring occasional travel to Census Bureau headquarters in the Washington, DC area.
A secondary duty of the Oregon Population Estimates manager is to develop custom estimates, such as small area estimates, for local governments and nonprofit organizations, and to develop other custom demographic analysis on a contract basis. The position will also contribute to the Center’s other programs, such as the Oregon Population Forecast Program. This position, if qualified, might also teach courses within PSU’s Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, toward the Graduate Certificate in Applied Demography, managed by the PRC.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Demography, Sociology, Geography, Economics, or a related field and demonstrated proficiency with population estimation and forecast methodologies and research design.
• At least three years of applied work experience in applied demography or other social science research demonstrating proficiency with population estimation methodologies and research design.
• Solid experience with spreadsheets, databases, statistical analysis software, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Strong familiarity with Census data.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• An entrepreneurial and collaborative attitude.
• Experience managing complex, high visibility research projects requiring public outreach and input.
Preferred Qualifications
• PhD in Demography, Geography, or Sociology, Economics or a related field.
• Interest and experience in teaching courses in applied demography.
• Competency with relevant programming languages such as R and Stata.
Key Cultural Competencies
• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Deadline: 10/09/2017
Location: Portland State University