Economist

Teamsters Headquarters, Washington DC

Strategic Initiatives Department, Economics Team

Job Opportunity for Economists

The Teamsters Union is the largest and most diverse union in the country with over 1.3 million members. For more than a century, the Teamsters Union has been standing up for working people. Beyond freight drivers and warehouse workers, the Teamsters represents workers in virtually every occupation imaginable.

The Strategic Initiatives Department oversees the Teamsters’ communications, research, economic analysis, and capital strategies, as well as the Teamsters History Project. Strategic Initiatives provides essential resources to Teamsters affiliates to succeed in organizing, public relations and contract campaigns, expand audience reach and improve messaging and public perception of the Teamsters. The Analytics Team in the Strategic Initiatives Department researches and analyzes data to assist with contract bargaining, organizing or other strategic initiatives.

Position Description: The Economist’s role is to advise the Teamsters on labor market forces, microeconomic factors impacting employers of Teamsters and macroeconomic forces on Teamsters industries. Time-sensitive expertise, such as during ongoing contract negotiations or labor disputes, will require travel. As an essential part of the Analytics Team, the Economist provides market analysis of wages and compensation, analysis of company health, reports on economic forces affecting union labor, snapshots of company financial health, and valuation and estimation of negotiated contract impacts such as changes to wages, benefits and working conditions. In addition, Teamsters Economists provide expert testimony in impasse proceedings such as mediations, fact findings, and arbitrations. The role involves supervising Analyst work in support of reports, long- and short-term research, and testimony in assigned industries. Findings may be confidential, so tact, clear communication and integrity are important. An ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate across departments, and plan are essential.

A successful candidate has a leadership mindset, with experience providing both skills training to support staff and educating leaders in the organization on important work. This requires an Economist who can effectively communicate technical information and complex data concepts to non-technical audiences.

Occasional travel is required. The position is based in Washington, DC. Candidates must be available to work in-person full-time at our DC headquarters.

Salary and Benefits: Starting salary range is $115,000 - $140,000 plus FICA reimbursement. The Teamsters Union headquarters offers a robust benefits package including a 100% employer-paid health & welfare plan, pension, 401(k), FSA, and vacation & sick leave.

Qualifications and Experience:

• At least four years of work experience, including at least two years of experience as the lead Economist on large-scale, collaborative projects with high stakes and complex legal considerations such as expert testimony or contract negotiations.
• An advanced degree in economics, finance, business, mathematics, or a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, and data management skills.
• Knowledge of labor unions, collective bargaining agreements, compensation practices and health and retirement benefits is required.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite is expected. Proficiency with statistical software such as R, Python, Stata, SPSS, EViews is preferred as well as the ability to program tasks with VBA, C++ and Python.

Application Process:Please submit a cover letter, resume, a short writing sample, and 3 references.

The Teamsters Union Headquarters is an Equal Opportunity Employer.