Duties

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), works within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and prevent or stop waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. We do this through audits and investigations. OIG also consults with Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations. The Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the Office of Inspector General autonomy to do its work without interference.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the DOT-OIG economics group, which produces its own research and consults on work throughout the agency. The group's analyses have encompassed a wide range of transportation-related topics, including: effects of the tarmac delay rule on airline cancellations, impacts of trucker wait times on commercial motor vehicle crash rates, effects of competition on airline service quality, efficiency of air traffic control towers, and anticompetitive practices in bidding on highway projects. DOT-OIG economists are required to maintain their skills through continuing education and attending economics conferences. In addition, they have published and are encouraged to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

You will serve in the area of economic analysis with responsibility for conducting research and analysis of economic data; assisting in the preparation of interpretive reports, advising and consulting on economic matters for transportation and related programs and operations. Duties include but are not limited to:

Uses expert knowledge of applied microeconomic literature in general, and industrial organization economics literature in particular, to identify current best economic research practices for each audit topic area on which he or she is called to consult or contribute.

Expertly reviews relevant economics and data science literature on the topic area for additional guidance. Applies and extends the research methods identified through this knowledge and review to address the topics at hand.

Conducts data analyses to research transportation economics issues. Develops, estimates, and tests microeconometric models to identify factors associated with or affecting transportation-related concerns and/or uses machine learning techniques to explore the issue at hand. Ensures that the quality of his or her data analyses is sufficient to provide reliable evidence for audit findings.

Prepares work papers, drafts report sections, and develops presentations detailing the methodologies used and findings developed in each audit. Produces these written products and presentations in language comprehensible to a nontechnical audience.

Provides technical expertise in writing technical reports, briefing papers, and testimony in support of the audit and investigations staff.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Less than 25% of the time.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
• Mandatory education requirement - submit transcripts.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED.

IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http://www.ed.gov .

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience.

Basic Requirements

Degree: 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.

AND

Specialized Experience GS-12: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.

Examples of specialized experience include: Research experience in microeconomics, to include reviewing a variety of economic literature such as industrial organization economics literature; applying various methods from researched literature; and applying microeconometric methods and/or machine learning techniques to the investigation of complex issues resulting in the production of at least one professional quality empirical economic research paper.

GS-13 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Examples of specialized experience include: Conducting microeconomics research and reviewing economic literature such as industrial organization economics literature; adapting various methods from researched literature; manipulation of large datasets; adapting advanced microeconometric methods and/or machine learning techniques to investigations of complex issues resulting in the production of several professional quality empirical economic research papers; advising/consulting on economic matters/operations; and presenting/addressing on economic issues.

Education

Basic Requirements

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

OR

B. 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.

Additional information

OIG carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, management advisories, and other products with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance.

This position has been identified as a telework-eligible position.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATIONS.

This vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority . Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this authority.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Candidates will be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306). Individuals selected for positions will be required to certify that their application materials are accurate when they enter on duty. Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment. Additional selections may be made within 90 days of the opening date of this announcement should vacancies occur. THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE AGENCY. THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON-AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON-DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON. THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. If selected for this position, you will be subject to favorable adjudication of an employment suitability determination.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

BASIS FOR RATING: All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. This vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority . Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this authority.

Your application will be evaluated for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience and/or education meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and other basic requirements will be referred and are eligible for selection.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcements.

The Human Resources Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. Please ensure that your resume and application provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Resume: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EXPERIENCE IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED IN YOUR RESUME OTHERWISE YOU MAY BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE.

• Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• For additional information see:
• What to include in your resume
• Resume Writing

TRANSCRIPTS- You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to an appointment date being established.

DD-214/VA LETTER/ and SF-15- To receive consideration including veteran's preference points, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit your SF-15 (revised 12/04). The form is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or the Department of Veterans Affairs that you are likely to succeed in the performance of the position. The letter must be printed on "medical professional's" letterhead and must include a signature or it is invalid.

CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

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.