Senior Policy Analyst, Penn Wharton Budget Model

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Policy Analyst, Penn Wharton Budget Model

Job Profile Title

Data Analyst Senior

Job Description Summary

The Penn Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) is a non-partisan, research-based initiative that provides analysis to policymakers to assess the effects of policy on budgetary outcomes (government revenues and costs) and various economic variables. PWBM’s work is widely cited and has been influential in many key recent policy discussions, including tax reform, infrastructure, budget reconciliation, pre-K education, paid family leave, universal income, debt, Social Security, and health care. The PWBM team consists of roughly 30 Ph.D. economists, policy analysts, research analysts, software engineers, and developers.

The Senior Policy Analyst is a public policy expert specializing in one or more of the following areas: health policy, retirement policy, income security programs, discretionary spending, or tax policy. The Analyst offers research support, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in support of policymaker requests and flagship analyses. The Analyst is an expert communicator who interprets model output and summarizes results in written and oral formats. The position involves developing and maintaining PWBM’s models for household taxes, government transfers, and other policy areas. Advanced statistical programming skills (for example in Python or R) are required for many of the Analyst’s tasks.

Two-year position subject to renewal based on the discretion of the faculty director and available funds

• Position contingent upon continued funding

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a public policy topic-area expert. Provide research expertise for addressing policymaker requests, both qualitatively by describing the nuances of specific program design and quantitatively by identifying and collecting information and data from relevant sources and conducting analyses as necessary.
• Analyze PWBM model output in collaboration with staff analysts and economists. Prepare written summaries of results for public briefs and reports and communicate results to stakeholders.
• Assist with development and maintenance of PWBM’s policy models. Regularly incorporate data, staying abreast of relevant data releases and legislative proposals and changes.
• Contribute to data processing, statistical modeling, policy analysis, and projections by utilizing programming skills.
• Support Director of Business Tax and Economic Policy and Faculty Director in Capitol Hill outreach, communications, and education efforts.
• Apply communication skills and policy expertise to assist with business development efforts (such as grant proposal writing) and social media outreach.
• Serve as a liaison between policymakers and PWBM staff for requested analyses by communicating (written and verbally) PWBM capabilities, results of analyses, and inquiries.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required (preferably in Economics or a related discipline). A master’s degree, for example in Public Policy or Applied Economics, is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience conducting policy analysis and/or economic research at a think tank, government agency, financial institution, or similar is required.
• Demonstrated professional and personal interest in public policy and economics is required.
• Advanced statistical programming skills (for example in Python or R, etc) and proficiency with data analysis tools, including Microsoft Excel, is required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills is required.
• Excellent organizational skills, including a keen orientation to detail and deadlines, as well as the ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously is required.
• Subject matter expertise in one or more of the following subject areas is preferred: health policy, retirement policy, income security programs, discretionary spending, or tax policy.
• Ability to effectively work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible – This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week that is divided between working onsite and working remotely.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and transcript.

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$74,476.00 – $100,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay 

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