Senior Research Analyst

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. We fund and deliver job training programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. Our vision is that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce, and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. We seek to earn trust and inspire growth in every action we take.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic & Policy Initiatives, the Senior Research Analyst is a hands-on technical expert responsible for translating labor market and program data into actionable strategy for workforce programs, policy development, and regional partners. This role serves as a foundational pillar for SDWP's data-driven decision making producing high quality analysis, equity centered insights, and accessible data products that inform leadership, staff, the Workforce Development Board, and external stakeholders. The Senior Research Analyst will play a crucial role in driving insights into the industries and occupations driving San Diego's economy, and sharing this information with job seekers, employers, educators and policy makers. In addition to analysis, the Senior Research Analyst will develop actionable data products dashboards, briefs, and reports that enable staff and partners to move from insight to action. The Senior Research Analyst will balance rigorous quantitative work with strong communication and applied problem-solving.

Essential Functions

• Conduct in-depth labor market analysis using sources such as BLS, ACS, CA EDD, and other related datasets to assess demand, wages, career pathways, and regional trends.
• Conduct disaggregated analysis by race/ethnicity, geography, and barriers to employment to inform equitable workforce strategies.
• Perform Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis as it relates to San Diego Workforce priorities.
• Develop data products that are intuitive, decision-oriented, and tailored to different audiences (executives, program staff, Board members, partners).
• Design and maintain actionable dashboards and visualizations using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, and ArcGIS.
• Co-author internal and external reports, briefs, and research products that elevate SDWP's credibility and influence.
• Respond to data requests/inquiries from external and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and institutionalize research projects, keep detailed records and track all elements of the research process.
• Design, implement and provide recommendations for all steps of the research design and implementation processes.
• Research new methods, best practices, and emerging tech to enhance workforce policy and programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Fundamental Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, business administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Three to five (3-5) years of Working experience in Workforce Development, Economic Development, or Public Policy.
• Three to five (3-5) years Applied Research experience in Workforce Development, Economic Development, or Public Policy.
• Demonstrated knowledge in research, data analysis and report writing.
• Demonstrated knowledge in designing and managing research projects through its completion.
• Strong hands-on experience with labor market and workforce datasets.
• Ability to conduct research and effectively visualize data, conduct data mining, data presentation and communication, statistical analysis including reporting and writing, and knowledge of economic principles.
• Ability to present data and analyses to the community and SDWP stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail to ensure accuracy, great problem solving and time management skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work under limited supervision at the same time producing high-quality research.
• Ability to collaborate across teams; supporting decision making and strategy.
• Computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Desired Requirements

• Master's degree in economics, public policy, business administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Familiarity with WIOA performance metrics and workforce system operations.
• Experience conducting equity-focused or disaggregated analysis, with a geospatial lens.
• Experience forecasting, scenario modeling, or data governance practices.

Our Values

Collaboration:

Engaging in inclusive, respectful relationships among colleagues, customers and community that foster the achievement of shared goals.

Excellence:

Driving quality, innovation and measurable outcomes through a customer-centered focus and a high-performance culture.

Stewardship:

Strategic, efficient, effective use of resources to meet the evolving needs of our customers and community with the highest levels of integrity.

Inclusion:

Taking responsibility for creating a culture where everyone is welcomed, heard, valued and empowered to fully participate and reach their full potential.

Equity:

Prioritizing those who have been systemically denied opportunity through policies, priorities, practices, and behaviors that result in access to opportunity for ALL colleagues, customers, and communities.

We Love to Take Care of Our Workforce Associates-

We offer a great work environment, a culture that values individuality and inclusion, collaborative and innovative teams, and a competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits include: PTO, PTO sell-back program, generous employer-paid benefits (platinum plans), company-paid learning and professional development program, pension plan and 457 retirement plan additional employee wellness. Compensation for this position ranges from $37.32 to $48.84

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. If you are hired at San Diego Workforce Partnership, your final base salary (within the pay range), will be determined based on factors such as education, knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members when determining any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer generous benefits and retirement plans.

At the Workforce Partnership, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, and the work that we do in the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

San Diego Workforce Partnership is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.