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Economist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jun 14, 2021
Duties

Summary

The individual serves as a Economist, GS-0110-11/12/13/14, in the Office of Economics (OE). One or more positions may be filled through this announcement. This announcement may not be open for the full open period shown above. It will close when 100 applications have been received.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNDER MERIT PROMOTION PROCEDURES. PLEASE SEE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT STB-21-CM-11087571-ST.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

You will serve as an Economist in the Office of Economics (OE), and in this capacity, you will:

- Serve as a staff economist with proficiency in econometric and quantitative techniques.-

- Work with econometric and statistical techniques such as predictive modeling,empirical cost models (for e.g. activity-based costing), event study analysis using time series, cross sectional, panel and transactional data.

- Study the economics and public policy challenges facing network industries.

- Conduct qualitative and quantitative studies that evaluate a wide range of complex issues related to the economic regulation of the rail industry and other segments of the transportation industry subject to Board regulation.

- Plan and execute economic studies on a variety of topics, including transportation costing, infrastructure investment studies, and economic impact studies.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel occasionally for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


U.S. Citizenship is required.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date (Tuesday, June 22, 2021). Your application package will not receive consideration if it lacks any of the required documents under the "Required Documents" tab.

Probationary Period: One-year probationary period may be required.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/

Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance. If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements: Basic Requirement for Economist:
A. You must have successfully completed a full four (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; OR B. you must possess a combination of experience and education: coursework that is equivalent to a major in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus and appropriate experience or additional education which demonstrates appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the duties of this position (Your resume must demonstrate this clearly. SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS).
Minimum Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirement for all grade levels, you must also meet one of the following requirements: GS-11: A. You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 level in the Federal service, with experience in ALL of the following duties: performing general econometric and statistical techniques; individual economic research; conducting general studies that evaluate complex issues related to economic regulation of the rail/transportation industry. In lieu of the above, the individual performed general economic analysis, general experience with Microsoft Office or general experience with statistical software packages. The individual will have the ability to present results clearly in communication. (You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you have ALL of the above experience, or you will be rated ineligible). B. Successful completion of three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.; or successfully completed a Ph.D.; or equivalent degree, e.g., LL.M., at an accredited college or university in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim. C. A combination of education and experience: less than one year of experience as described in A and less than 3 years of graduate level education as described in B, but you possess specialized experience and graduate level education beyond the Master's level that when combined, equals at least 100% of the total requirement.
GS-12: You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, with experience in ALL of the following duties: using significant econometric and quantitative techniques; working with econometric and statistical techniques; conducting significant studies related to the economic regulation of the rail/transportation industry; performing economic studies and economic impact studies. In lieu of the above, the individual would have performed significant economic analysis with significant experience with Microsoft Office or significant experience with statistical software packages. The individual has the ability to present results clearly in communication. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level include: Research experience in microeconomics; applying various methods from research; applying microeconometric methods and/or machine learning to the investigation of complex issues. (You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you have ALL of the above experience, or you will be rated ineligible).
GS-13: You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, with experience in ALL of the following duties: serving as a staff economist with proficiency in robust econometric and quantitative techniques; extensive experience working with robust econometric and statistical techniques (such as predictive modeling, empirical cost models for activity-based costing, event study analysis using time series, cross sectional, panel and transactional data); conducting robust studies evaluating complex issues related to economic regulation of the rail/transportation industry; performing robust economic studies on transportation costing, infrastructure investment, and economic impact. In lieu of the above, the individual would have performed robust economic analysis, robust experience with Microsoft Office or robust experience with Sequel, and statistical software packages. The individual has the ability to present results clearly in communication. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level include: Conducting microeconomics research and reviewing economic literature; adapting methods from research; manipulation of large datasets; adapting advanced econometric methods and/or machine learning to complex issues; advising on economic matters; and presenting on economic issues. (You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you have ALL of the above experience, or you will be rated ineligible).
GS-14: You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the
S-13 level in the Federal service, with experience in ALL of the following duties: Conducting highly complex independent economic research in support of data analysis projects - economic impact analyses, cost benefit analyses, and development of decision support tools. Leads teams tasked with quantitative and qualitative analysis by using various highly complex economic research techniques - econometric analysis, market analysis, pricing, economic multiplier models, uncertainty and risk analysis, statistics, mathematical models, simulation, optimization, industry analysis, and game theory. Makes authoritative recommendations on policies that provides technical expertise to senior leadership on policy initiatives on economic analyses. In lieu of the above, the individual performed and led teams employing highly complex economic analysis, mastery of Microsoft Office or mastery of statistical software packages. The individual has the ability to conduct highly complex & rigorous economic analysis to present results clearly in communication. (You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you have ALL of the above required experience, or you will be rated ineligible). (You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you have ALL of the above experience, or you will be rated ineligible). Examples of specialized experience at the GS-14 grade level includes: Conducting independent economic research in support of projects - economic impact analyses, cost benefit analyses, and development of decision support tools. Conducts analysis using various economic research techniques including econometric analysis, market analysis, pricing, economic multiplier models, uncertainty and risk analysis, statistics, mathematical models, simulation, optimization, industry analysis, and game theory. Makes authoritative recommendations on policies that provides technical expertise to senior leadership on policy initiatives.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY?

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

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 . You must provide translated transcripts.

Additional information

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. In addition, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you. We offer:

Flexible Work Schedule options: Two flexible work schedules, the Flexitour Option and the Compressed Work Schedule. Employees on the Flexitour may schedule fixed arrival and departure times around established core hours and work 8 hours plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch period. Employees on the Compressed Work Schedule may work 8 9-hour work days and one 8-hour day (plus the 30-minute unpaid lunch period) in each biweekly pay period and receive one scheduled day off; OR may work 4 10-hour days (plus the 30-minute unpaid lunch period) with one week day off each week;

Limited Telework opportunities upon supervisor approval and in accordance with the Employee Work Schedule policy;

Fitness Center: STB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located in the building; and

A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1. Knowledge in microeconomics and industrial organization.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of industrial organization and econometric principles.

3. Skill in research findings in order to recognize and evaluate significant and critical factors to resolve complex problems.

The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veteran's preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Category Rating Procedures: Applicants who apply under "All US Citizens" eligibility and do not have eligibility under Merit or Noncompetitive status, will be placed in one of the following categories:

Best-Qualified: Applicants who demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, as determined by the job analysis.

Well-Qualified: Applicants who demonstrate acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, as determined by the job analysis.

Qualified: Applicants who demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, as determined by the job analysis.

**Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify.

Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11087572

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

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

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current Federal or STB employee:

1. Resume that includes the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month and year, and hours worked per week, if part time. Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.

2. Responses to questionnaire.

3. Supporting documents verifying your eligibility or any preference eligibility along with your application package.

These documents may include, but are not limited to:
  • Veterans documentation: All veterans MUST submit a DD-214, MEMBER 4 copy, if you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions;
  • Preference eligible documentation: If claiming 10-point preference you must also submit a SF-15 and any other proof that you are eligible for 10-point preference if a job offer is extended to you, final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information);
  • ICTAP documentation: RIF separation notice along with last performance rating or appraisal; and
  • Transcripts if you are using education to substitute or if position has a positive education requirement.


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.

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