Montgomery County Government · 22 hours ago
Chief Economist (Manager II), Grade M2
Rockville, MD
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$114K/yr - $200K/yr
7+ years expMontgomery County Government is seeking a Chief Economist to lead economic analysis and tax revenue forecasting activities. The role involves developing economic assumptions for budgeting, conducting fiscal impact analyses, and collaborating with various stakeholders to present economic data and forecasts.
GovernmentNon Profit
Responsibilities
Develop economic assumptions for the County Executive’s annual recommended operating and capital budgets based upon independent research as well as third-party provided economic forecasts. Forecast key variables including property assessable base, employment, personal income, population, inflation and net taxable income. Utilize the economic assumptions in the tax revenue forecast for the recommended operating and capital budgets, the 6-year fiscal plan, and the annual December fiscal plan update. Coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the operating and capital budgets and the 6-year fiscal plan, as well as with Finance’s Controller and Treasury divisions for financial reporting and tax data
Utilize the economic assumptions in the development of the tax revenue forecasts for the County’s major tax revenues, including property tax, income tax, fuel/energy tax, transfer and recordation taxes, and several excise tax revenue streams. Provide supporting data for key economic indicators that are used to produce the tax revenue forecast
Publish monthly economic reports highlighting key drivers of the County’s economy and tax revenue
Lead Finance’s work with the Revenue Estimating Group (REG) that was created per Chapter 20 Section 84 of County Code, including monitoring economic indicators and tax revenues throughout the fiscal year, recommending changes to economic assumptions as needed, authoring the quarterly required REG report to Council and the County Executive, and present to Executive and Legislative branch staff and elected officials, as requested
Conduct fiscal impact analyses for recommended or enacted State, County, and Federal legislation. Coordinate with OMB on Fiscal Impact Statements for County legislation or with the County’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations on State legislation
Consult with Executive branch staff on economic development programs and policies as well as refining models used by Finance to determine the economic impact of the County’s economic development incentive programs
Present economic and revenue briefings for budget discussions with Executive and Legislative branch staff and elected officials, union negotiations, and community/business groups, as directed
Provide economic data and tax revenue information to the Controller for the ACFR, OMB for budgets, and the Debt Management Unit for the Annual Information Statement and Bond Rating Agency presentations
Maintain regular communications with senior executive branch staff, elected officials, and department representatives
Represent Finance at County Council and committee meetings, County Executive meetings, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate. Articulate complex topics in an understandable manner tailored to the audience
Develop and maintain relationships with State, regional, and local peers to share economic information and ensure the highest level of understanding/collaboration regarding regional economic conditions
Maintain, and update as needed, policies and procedures for all Chief Economist activities
Qualification
Required
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience as a leading economist or revenue forecaster for a municipal government with a large budget, three years of which were in a supervisory or executive capacity
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration (with a major or concentration in Economics), Finance (with a concentration in Economics), or related field
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted
Preferred
Experience as a Chief Economist developing revenue forecasts for a governmental entity
Leading the development of economic indicators and tax revenue forecasting activities for property tax, income tax, and excise taxes of a large governmental entity with a large annual operating budget and a multi-year capital improvement program
Leading a consensus revenue estimating group for a governmental entity
Developing or refining models to forecast tax revenues and analyze economic development programs
Publishing monthly economic reports highlighting key drivers of the economy and tax revenue for a governmental entity
Written and oral communication, including ability to convey highly technical or sensitive information in plain language to high-level executives, elected officials, and other stakeholders
Development of collaborative relationships within all levels of an organization and with State, regional, and local peers
Company
Montgomery County Government
Government for Montgomery County, Maryland
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Beryl Feinberg
Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer in the Department of General Services
Karen Quinlan Hawkins
Chief Operating Officer, Finance Dept
Recent News
Montgomery County Maryland
2025-07-26
Montgomery County Maryland
2025-07-18
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