Duties

Summary

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) conducts research on major policy issues facing the Commission; assesses the economic impact of regulatory changes on derivatives & related commodities & financial markets; participates in the development of Commission rulemakings; partners with CFTC Offices/Divisions to provide quantitative & economic analysis for the CFTC; conducts special studies & evaluations; & produces public-facing research targeting both the general public & academic audiences.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Research Economist serving as Head of Academic Outreach you will:

• Conduct specialized economic research, self-initiated or as requested by the Chief Economist, regarding the commodity and futures markets utilizing econometric tools. Provide expert guidance to the Chief Economist and the Commission staff based on research results. The incumbent often utilizes the expertise of other economic researchers and monitors the progress of the work being performed.
• Develop and implement a strategy to attract increasing numbers of high-quality economic and finance academics to partner with OCE staff on research projects. Search for universities that have a curriculum with an emphasis on financial markets, especially those dealing with swaps and derivatives.
• Manage the process by which paid and unpaid consultants are on-boarded; determines the level of access given to CFTC systems; and educate them about the Commission's rules and procedures governing data, reports, and publications and the release of same.
• Coordinate with OCE staff managers to ensure that OCE staff members are participating in the program in a manner consistent with their career development and other CFTC responsibilities.
• Develop and monitor ongoing projects (usually long-term studies with little or no precedent) of paid and unpaid consultants to ensure that high-quality projects and papers are completed and presented to management (the Chief Economist and Commissioners) in a timely fashion.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 15% or less

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Background/Security Investigation.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• A one-year probationary period may be required

You will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Economics and Accounting
• Research
• Project Management
• Partnering
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

Writing samples may be required at time of interview.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet both the basic requirement and specialized experience for the positions.

Basic Requirement

Applicants must possess one of the following-

A) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. (Transcripts MUST be submitted) -OR

B) Possession of courses equivalent to a major as shown in A above plus additional education or appropriate experience. (Transcripts MUST be submitted)

In addition to the basic requirements for this position:

To qualify for this position at the CT-15 level, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CT/GS-14 level in the Federal service or comparable pay band system.

Specialized experience is defined as: Mastery of a professional knowledge of economics that enables the incumbent to analyze and interpret relationships incorporating economic factors; Mastery of advanced statistical methods used to formulate quantitative and qualitative assessments of existing and proposed changes to trading systems or practices; the ability to conducting economic research that distills and synthesizes economic information for use in Government decisions; the ability to utilize organizational and managerial skills necessary to monitor ongoing projects of paid and unpaid consultants; and thorough understanding and familiarity with academics in economics and finance, including the practice of research, seminar presentations, the conference circuit, and the peer-review publication process.

However, candidates who are selected for the position must provide documentation of completing all educational requirements prior to entering on duty.

A copy of your official transcript(s) are also required prior to your first day

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Translated transcripts are required. Only education/experience obtained by 11:59 pm EST on the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Education

Experience cannot be substituted by education at this grade level.

Additional information

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Probationary Period. Candidates selected under competitive examining procedures will subject to a one-year probationary period.

CTAP and ICTAP. Candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp .

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 1. A copy of your specific RIF notice, written notice of your expected separation or other documentation of priority consideration status; 2. A copy of your latest SF-50 - noting current position, grade level, and duty location; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following: 1. A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, or notice of disability annuity termination; 2. A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade level, and duty location; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities: 1. VRA - http://federaljobs.net/veterans.htm 2. VEOA - http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp 3. 30% or more disabled veteran - http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp 4. Persons with disabilities - http://www.opm.gov/DISABILITY/ 5. CTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/ 6. ICTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/

EEO Policy Statement. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation. Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

• Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional)
• An unofficial college transcript (Failure to submit this form will result in your application not being considered) Note: if you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.
• Performance Appraisal
• SF-50

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.