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Chief Economist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Oct 19, 2021
Duties

Summary

Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Chief Economist is responsible for advising U.S. Copyright management on the economic implications of policies and programs affecting the United States' intellectual property system and the international copyright framework.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework.

The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Act; advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world's largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public.

The Office of Policy and International Affairs has certain responsibilities for administering the copyright law with special emphasis on policy, legislative, and international matters.

The position description number for this position is 409009.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

The work entails foreign and domestic travel.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

The incumbent will serve as Chief Economist for the Copyright Office with a focus on economic research and related matters. The incumbent will be responsible for advising the Register of Copyrights the Associate Register for the Office of Policy and International Affairs, and other Copyright Office officials on the economic implications of policies and programs affecting the United States' intellectual property (IP) system and the international copyright framework. The incumbent will initiate and oversee economic analysis on topics of copyright protection and enforcement, and on the provision of Copyright Office services, to assist the Office in effectively fulfilling its statutory obligations to administer the U.S. copyright system and advise on copyright policy.

While expertise in a specific area of economics, such as microeconomics or econometrics, is critical, the incumbent must also demonstrate an understanding of the legal, practical and political issues involved in the protection and enforcement of IP rights and the functioning and role of the and the U.S. government as a whole. This knowledge is rare, and will be a critical asset in determining the types of analysis to conduct and the relevant recommendations to make to policy makers.

Plans, directs, and evaluates the economic research and analytical activities of the US Copyright Office. Formulates, plans, conducts, and responds to economic studies, analyses and research related to domestic and international IP protection and enforcement. The incumbent will also develop conclusions and recommendations concerning such studies and research, including economic impact on the Copyright Office or US interests, while ensuring effective coordination and communication between the Copyright Office, other government agencies, and domestic and international organizations with regard to economic issues relevant to domestic or international IP protection and enforcement.

Prepares insightful, responsive, authoritative, integrative, organizationally relevant written products, including electronic products, within the Economist's expertise for the public, Congress, the Library and the Copyright Office. The Economist employs, refines or extends existing methodologies, and develops creative approaches to highly complex, contentious issues of national and international significance. Written products apply new hypotheses, concepts, and approaches to IP issues. They define or clarify issues; apply concepts and principles from several disciplines; assess political, social, economic, or institutional constraints; organize and present policy options and analyze their consequences; or anticipate the direction of policy development.

Serves as a principal Copyright representative to committees and officers of the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, other government agencies (such as the US Patent and Trademark Office), professional organizations, universities, and other research organizations on the broadest matters related to Copyright research, policy and organization (such as the World Intellectual Property Organization). Through these interactions, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level individuals, including Members of Congress and their staff and senior managers and staff of other legislative and executive agencies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - The work entails foreign and domestic travel.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • See requirements listed below under Qualifications Required.


Your resume is important to this application process. It will be reviewed to determine whether you possess the qualifications referenced above. All applicants are required to submit a resume that provides specific information (to include accomplishments, work experience and education/training) that clearly describes what you would bring to the position.

Qualifications

The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position.

A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has:

Knowledge of the field of economics and how it applies to policies and programs affecting the United States intellectual property system and the international copyright framework**: The successful candidate has demonstrated and applied knowledge of the field of economics. This included application of economic theories to legal, practical and political issues involved in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Ability to conduct economic research and analysis to develop recommendations and project findings**: The successful candidate has the ability to conduct research and analysis and develop recommendations and project findings.

Ability to prepare written research materials related to economics**: The successful candidate has produced a variety of descriptive, background, or analytical written products related to economics with a focus on intellectual property and/or microeconomics Prepared summaries or abstracts of research materials, and performed quality control reviews of others' written materials.

Ability to serve as a liaison, build coalitions, and interact collaboratively with others: The successful candidate has the ability to represent, present, negotiate, defend, explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner in order to negotiate with individuals and groups in a manner that influences them to support a program and achieve results; developing and maintaining coalitions with other organizations. This includes the ability to lead and effect change in carrying out the organizational mission that integrates key goals, priorities, values, etc.; championing ideas that promote the mission with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; gaining support and commitment from others; motivating and inspiring others to improve work efficiencies and accuracy.

Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations, and other presentations: The successful candidate has conveyed analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations, in both planned and extemporaneous situations, in order to discuss or explain public policy issues related to intellectual property, economic policy, the U.S. economy, and/or international economies and markets. This included targeting the amount, form, depth and level of detail, and content of information to the needs of the receiver/audience.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing: The successful candidate has the ability to speak clearly and with professional poise in both formal and informal settings to customers, vendors, and peers, managers to both provide and seek information. This includes providing information that is accurate, current, and complete. This also includes targeting the amount, style, and content of the information to the needs of the receiver; actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.

Education

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.

  • Ph.D. in economics is preferred.

    You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected.

    These (official or unofficial) documents may be attached to your online application or emailed to the Staffing Specialist ( imot@loc.gov ). The documents can also be e-mailed during the interview scheduling process. They must be received prior to a full interview. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation will not be interviewed and will be disqualified from further consideration. Official documentation will be required if selected for the position. Failure to complete all mandatory sections of the on-line application form or failure to submit a resume will disqualify applicants from further consideration for the vacancy for which they are applying.

    Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

    Additional information

    All initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, all newly appointed Senior Level executives, from outside the Library as well as from within, must serve a one year probationary period in accordance with the Library of Congress Regulations (LCRs) 2017.2-1, Senior Level Executive System.

    The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

    Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

    This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

    Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

    The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

    The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

    The selected applicant will be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

    Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

    For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf .

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    The Library of Congress will evaluate applicants using the information provided in your resume. Reviews are intended to explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. For Senior Level positions, applicants do not need to respond to specific competency questions but will be requested to answer one question related to how they became aware of this job opportunity.
    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected.

    These (official or unofficial) documents may be attached to your online application or emailed to the Staffing Specialist ( imot@loc.gov ). The documents can also be e-mailed during the interview scheduling process. They must be received prior to a full interview. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation will not be interviewed and will be disqualified from further consideration. Official documentation will be required if selected for the position. Failure to complete all mandatory sections of the on-line application form or failure to submit a resume will disqualify applicants from further consideration for the vacancy for which they are applying.

    Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

    Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

    Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

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