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

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.

Travel Required

Not required

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

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

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

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.

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 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.

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.

Unofficial college transcripts must be submitted to meet the basic requirement. If you are selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts before a Final Offer is extended.

Education

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.

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 may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references, and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

Click here for Evaluation details.

INFORMATION FOR CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under CTAP or ICTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. 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.

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. 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.

The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step, and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

- Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your computer and USAJOBS 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.

- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) , and showing the character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)

Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents

- Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements): (a) 30% or More Compensable Disabled Veterans (DAV) (b) Military Spouses (MISP) (c) Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA)

- Land Management Eligible(s): a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act . This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time-limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- 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.