Economist

Duties

• Serves as a technical expert and advisor for the agency on pertinent issues pertaining to economic analysis.
• Utilizes a variety of computer programs and databases to study the effect of alternative methods. The research typically requires the use of a wide range of new quality assurance tools and techniques or originating methods to bring about solutions to important and unusual problems. Accesses computer databases for analytical and/or computational purposes and provides special calculations utilizing either routine or specialized computer programs.
• Presents research results in comprehensive reports, tables, and charts. Applies expertise in data collection, analysis, and economic modeling. Solves major economic problems and draws rational inferences based on research findings. Identifies and interprets trends and makes relevant economic forecasts based on data.
• Research involves independently designing, planning, and conducting a series of integrated, data gathering studies, models, and projects to measure and assess the economic impact of legislation, national income and prices, impacts of employment and unemployment, the economic effect of changes in the production or consumption ratios for particular commodities, etc. Conducts research studies on economic products, industries, and data and applies a high degree of insight to isolate and define key features of the problem.
• Prepares mathematical models and develops and implements sophisticated predicting techniques required for solutions to significant problems for forecasting comparisons of without and with project conditions.
• Represents the agency with senior leadership, the private sector, other Federal agencies, state and local agencies, Congressional interests, and other stakeholders on issues related to economics. Prepares and delivers formal and informal presentations on the area(s) of expertise in meetings, conventions, briefings, etc. - clearly communicating and explaining complex technical principles and analyses to stakeholders, customers, and other appropriate audiences. Understands and explains economic movements as well as methods and concepts to external customers and stakeholders.
• Reviews the regulatory and economic impact analyses to assess compliance with any relevant Executive Orders, laws, and directives. Conducts quantitative evaluation studies to existing and emerging economic problems, policies, and legislation to determine the extent to which current program objectives are being achieved, their effect, and their long-term implications.
• Presents research results in comprehensive reports, tables, and charts. Prepares memos and documentation about the data trends and productivity measures, which originate from Department, other Agencies, or the private sector.
• Applies expertise in data collection, analysis, and economic modeling. Prepares mathematical models and develops and implements sophisticated predicting techniques required for solutions to significant problems for forecasting comparisons of without and with project conditions.
• Mastery of new and established practices and procedures to include but, not limited to, the following: the statistical formula for determining sample size, procedures for sample selection, the method of organizing actual data collection and reporting, procedures for data verification, processing and tabulation, and the principles and policy governing analysis and coordination of findings.
• Works in a matrix environment on interdisciplinary teams or leading teams with personnel from other divisions, offices, and agencies. Interacts with a variety of individuals across the agency as well as external experts, professionals, researchers, and contractors to further the agency's goals and research. Provides review and guidance on the scope and conduct of the economic analyses undertaken by lower-graded economists. Reviews work of lower-graded economists and ensures compliance with current policy guidance and technical regulations as well as overall technical quality.
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  
  

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirements/IOR (Individual Occupational Requirement) and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for the Economist, GS-0110-13 position as described below.

Basic Requirements/Individual Occupational Requirements

• Degree: in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
  
  

OR

• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
  
  

Evaluation Of Experience

Examples of qualifying experience include:

• individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
• supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
• teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.
  
  

Experience In Related Fields That Did Not Involve The Use And Understanding Of Economic Principles And Theories May Not Be Used As Qualifying Experience For These Positions. Special Attention On This Point Should Be Given To Certain Types Of Work That May Or May Not Have Provided Professional Economic Experience. The Following Examples Of Work Require Special Care In Such Determinations

• economic statistics;
• industrial surveys;
• management of individual business enterprises, including farms;
• industrial planning;
• writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and
• financial market analysis.
  
  

In Addition to meeting the Basic Requirements/IOR you must also meet the specialized experience for this position.

For GS-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that includes research into economic phenomena, analysis of economic data, and the preparation of interpretive reports; advice and consultation on economic matters to governmental officials and private organizations or citizens; and the performance of other professional work in economics.

Examples Of Specialized Experience For This Position Includes The Following. To Meet The Specialized Experience For This Position, Applicants Must Possess At Least 4 Of The Following Examples

• Experience gathering data from multiple sources and designing data analyses.
• Experience utilizing a variety of statistical software products (Stata, Excel, etc.) and statistical techniques to establish quality adjustments of data and identify patterns and trends.
• Experience independently developing quantitative economic research, applying economic theories, principles, and techniques, and conducting economic studies to measure and assess the impacts.
• Experience conducting regulatory or policy analyses to assess compliance with laws, regulations, Executive Orders and/or Agency policy.
• Experience conducting reviews of economic analyses and technical reports to ensure compliance with applicable principles, laws, regulations, Executive Orders and/or Agency policy.
• Experience developing comprehensive reports, tables, and graphs based on research results.
• Experience in presenting, orally and/or in writing, economic concepts and methodology to stakeholders, customers, and other audiences.
  
  

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position.

Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional Information

This position is being filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Traditional rating and ranking of applications do NOT apply. The Veteran's preference does not apply.

This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.

All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact Tara Werner at werner.tara.d@dol.gov or 972-850-2510.

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employee differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness so that all individuals can participate and contribute to their full potential.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

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Position subject to a 5-day minimum on-site work requirement per pay period (or bi-weekly).

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information .

The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act .

Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.

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