Government Finance Research Center (GFRC) Graduate Hourly Positions

The Government Finance Research Center (GFRC) at the University of Illinois Chicago is seeking two graduate students for a limited, part-time hourly position to work with Results for America on data collection and detailed reporting on investments by 50 target jurisdictions to promote racial equity and accelerate equitable economic mobility across America. 

Hours Per Week: 30 hours/week

Duration: approximately 4 weeks

Rate of Pay: $30.12 

Please note this position is pending final contract approval and not eligible for tuition and/or fee waivers.

Duties:

Assist RFA in data collection of 1) total jurisdiction budgets for most recent two fiscal years, 2) jurisdiction budgets broken down by relevant department/agency, program/investment, and economic mobility priority areas, and 3) where possible, differentiate spending for services provided directly by the jurisdiction versus those provided by an outside agency through grants/contracts. Develop a scoring rubric regarding the ease/difficulty of shifting funds from current/planned use(s), and calculate a score for each jurisdiction targeted by the project. Compile data collected into Excel spreadsheet. Assist with draft final report detailing data collection process, assumptions, sources, calculations, and other relevant information. RFA will identify jurisdictions for which data are needed and how jurisdictions should be prioritized. 

Project Background

In June 2023, Results for America (RFA) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for project support detailing the budgets and funding in 50 target jurisdictions/governments. The RFP recognized the worsening and often placed-based trends of racial inequity and lack of economic mobility in many communities across the U.S., despite significant public and private investment to address these important social issues. Further, RFA acknowledged that the $2 trillion+ spent annually by states, localities, and the federal government to create opportunities for accelerating economic mobility will only be effective if the public sector collaborates with community partners in determining spending priorities, establishing a shared vision, prioritizing services with evidence-based effectiveness, etc. To improve the impact of current and future additional funding, RFA seeks support to learn more about the current fiscal landscape in select jurisdictions to identify areas for diverting resources into evidence-based solutions that improve equitable economic mobility at the federal, state, and local levels. 

Expectations and Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a graduate-level degree program and have completed at least one semester of coursework. Preference will be given to graduate students in CUPPA and students who have been previously employed at UIC.
• Knowledge of public sector budget and other financial documents.
• Working knowledge of Excel spreadsheet data entry and management.  
• Students must be able to work remotely and access information digitally though their own computer and internet connection.

Please send resume and brief statement of interest and experience to GFRC Director, Dr. Deborah A. Carroll at deborahc@uic.edu.Applications due by Wednesday, July 19, 2023, with interviews scheduled for July 20-21, 2023 and an anticipated start date of July 24, 2023.