Skip to main content

This job has expired

Economist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Oct 27, 2021
Duties

Summary

Position is located in the Employment and Training Administration, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI). OWI is responsible for providing national leadership, oversight, policy guidance, and technical assistance to the workforce system authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The work includes providing technical assistance to grantees to ensure high performance and service quality.

This position is inside the Bargaining Unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Major Duties include but not limited to:
  • Serves as a developmental economist on the application of appropriate statistical and econometric methods for program and policy analysis, data collection and validation, and technical computation with respect to very large datasets of the public workforce system and partner programs.
  • Leads the development of and/or carries out analyses of policy and program activities including the design of program data collection systems, assembly of program datasets, and design and execution of data validation methodologies.
  • Responsible for the development of econometric and statistical models used for efficient and effective program management; the production of publishable quality economic reports on economic and labor market trends; and the development or refinement of legislative proposals, policy materials such as analytical papers, and/or programmatic materials describing initiatives, plans for research, demonstration and/or evaluation agendas or projects relating to econometric and statistical analysis of labor market data.
  • Develops and analyzes data collection systems for legislatively-mandated program requirements; develops and implements statistical and econometric models to conduct program data validation and project program outcome targets; develops and communicates policy recommendations for decision makers that include options to resolve issues.
  • Perform research methodologies, public workforce system datasets and collection systems, and econometric modeling for the federally-funded workforce development system.
  • Prepares reports, develops replies to inquiries and requests for analyses of policies and guidance relating to the performance accountability aspect of workforce development matters, among others, directed to the office by agency leaders, program offices, federal partner agencies, state, local and private agencies, stakeholders of workforce development interests.


Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor's recommendation to the next grade.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.


Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations. As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with the agency (if later than November 22, 2021). The agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

The Economist Series, GS-0110, has specific basic requirements described in an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). Applicants must meet the below basic education requirement as well as the specialized experience requirement from the IOR.

Basic Requirements (IOR):
  • 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.

  • In addition to meeting the IOR requirements, applicants must have specialized experience AND/OR directly related education for the GS 11 level:

    3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

    Specialized Experience:

    In addition to meeting the IOR above:

    At the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level 09 in the Federal Service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience must demonstrate a mastery of economic issues regarding research and analysis of economic data to include all following:

    Compiling and analyzing program data, evaluation, and/or statistical reports from a variety of sources (e.g. states, grantees, etc.), validating data, and reporting results/outcomes as well as preparing reports reflecting economic patterns and labor market trends. Programs include those authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), (or its predecessor Workforce Investment Act (WIA)), and partner programs such as Trade Adjustment Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program, amongst others.

    At the GS-12 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level 11 in the Federal Service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience must demonstrate a mastery of economic issues regarding research and analysis of economic data to include all the following:
  • Compiling and analyzing program data, evaluation, and/or statistical reports from a variety of sources (e.g. states, grantees, etc.), validating data, and reporting results/outcomes as well as preparing reports reflecting economic patterns and labor market trends. Programs include those authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), (or its predecessor Workforce Investment Act (WIA)), and partner programs such as Trade Adjustment Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program, amongst others; and
  • Analyze research methodologies, analysis of economic data, and prepare interpretive reports; advise and consult on economic matters to governmental officials and private organizations or citizens; and/or the performance of other professional work in economics.


  • Education

    There is an education requirement for this series at each grade level. You must submit a transcript(s) (with confer date) that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210 etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned.

    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

    DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' 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 are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

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

    Position Telework eligibility is determined by management based on position duties during the recruitment process. Employee participation in telework on a routine or situational basis is determined by management primarily based on business needs. Employees participating in telework are subject to the terms and conditions of the Department of Labor's Telework Program.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.

    Categories

    Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.

    Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position.

    Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualifications requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

    Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:
    • Program Knowledge - Knowledge of public workforce system performance accountability cycle.
    • Technical Competence - Ability to research analyze and evaluate large data sets of workforce development programs. Ability to use statistical software for analyzing and synthesizing data.
    • Economics - Knowledge of economic policy, principles, and practices, market and non-market values, and the analysis and reporting of economic data.
    • Communication - Ability to communicate technical and complex statistical and econometric methods in a clear, concise, organized and convincing manner; and work with individuals at different levels of an organization with varied backgrounds and perspectives.
    • Data Collection - Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data collection, management and monitoring to ensure the adequacy of data.

    The information you provide on your resume may be verified by a review of your work experience, employment start/end dates/hours worked and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.)

    INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified." Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.

    To preview questions please click here .

    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

    The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password-protected documents.

    - Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and the number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume. We also suggest that you preview the vacancy questions, and confirm that your resume supports your question responses.

    - Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty ). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov

    - Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

    - Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted. Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

    Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - If you are using education as a basis for qualifying for this position, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, Ph.D., etc.). If specific coursework is required to qualify, you must supply an unofficial transcript from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

    You may upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.

    NOTE: The OFFICIAL Transcript(s) MUST BE RECEIVED, if you are selected, and prior to receiving the firm offer with a start date.

    Reference the "Education Section" for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.

    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.

    Get job alerts

    Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

    Create alert