Duties

As an Economist at the Federal Trade Commission you will perform the following duties:

Applying statistical, mathematical, and econometric techniques to the analysis of data in order to give empirical content to economic theories and test hypotheses.

Providing analysis and interpretation of economic and related information that is relied upon in policy and program decision-making.

Identifying or designing the appropriate statistical tests of various theories, selecting or efficiently collecting the appropriate data to satisfy the theoretical requirements of the underlying model, and analyzing and reporting the results of that analysis.

Conducting investigations, reviews, and studies that apply a thorough knowledge of microeconomic theory to study the behavior of individual consumers, firms, and industries in order to analyze how markets establish relative prices among goods and services and thereby allocate limited resources among alternative uses.

Developing oral and written products, tailored to the needs of the audience, in support of recommendations involving such far-reaching issues as the economic aspects of new or proposed investigations, policies, or rules affecting FTC programs.

Drafting, presenting, and defending positions for policy or enforcement decisions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• Due to COVID-19, the FTC is currently in a maximum telework posture through December 31, 2021. In addition, the agency is currently exploring the possibility of having a remote workforce for current and future employees beyond January 2022.
• If selected, you will be permitted to temporarily telework from a location outside the local commuting area.
• Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you may be required to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 60 days. At that time, you will be eligible to request telework in accordance with the FTC's telework policy.

Qualifications

To qualify for an Economist position, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:
1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.

OR

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the above, you must meet the requirements described below:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to the next lower level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector or academia, performing the following types of tasks:

GS-12 Level: You must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service or private sector or academia. Examples of qualifying experience may include: co-authoring an unpublished research paper and/or working on an economic research project applying quantitative and analytical skills.

GS-13 Level: You must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service or private sector or academia. Examples of qualifying experience may include: applying statistical research techniques to collect and interpret data and/or developing new economic models or theories; serving as an economic research analyst/assistant for a professor.

GS-14 Level: You must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service or private sector or academia. Examples of qualifying experience may include: independently preparing economic reports or studies that require advanced research techniques and crafting independent research that demonstrates familiarity with advanced analytical techniques that produced evidence of results.

GS-15 Level: You must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service or private sector or academia. Examples of qualifying experience may include: authoring published research articles/books on topics in microeconomics and/or serving as a consultant or advisor on technical economic issues and/or supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economist that results in providing technical advice or recommendations of action.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. All applicants should apply to the GS-12 level. Applicants should also apply to any other GS levels for which they meet the specialized experience requirements. Qualified applicants must exhibit thorough comprehension of microeconomic analysis and effective written and oral communication skills. Economists in all fields of applied microeconomics or econometrics are encouraged to apply.

Education

THIS POSITION HAS AN EDUCATION REQUIRMENT: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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

Additional information

This announcement will be filled through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to a Critical Hiring Need. Veterans preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this vacancy.

Click Here for more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authorities.

Per Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees , employment will be conditional until proof under perjury is provided regarding COVID-19 vaccination status. Actual proof of vaccination status will need to be produced prior to the start of employment with all privacy concerns taken into consideration. Upon onboarding, proof of vaccination status will be checked and verified.

Additionally, these conditions apply regardless of remote or telework situations . Despite the current posture of maximum telework that is currently in effect, you will be required to report to the duty station listed on the vacancy announcement once employees are permitted to return to the work site, as noted under Conditions of Employment

Reasonable Accommodations may be requested for religious or medical reasons. Steps for reasonable accommodations will also be used as necessary to accommodate potential new employees. Upon selection, instructions on how to submit a request for a reasonable accommodation, including submitting documentation in support of a request for a medical reasonable accommodation, will be provided with the tentative offer.

For more information, please access Executive Order 14043 . To view frequently asked questions (FAQs), please refer to the Safer Federal Workforce's FAQs .

This position is not represented by a Bargaining Unit.