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Senior Economist

Legislative Branch
Government Accountability Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions will be filled in one of the following GAO Teams, located in Washington, DC (HQ) or a Field Office: GAO Teams List

Applied Research and Methods (ARM)

(Washington, DC)

Education, Workforce, and Income Security (EWIS)

(Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC)

Financial Markets & Community Investment (FMCI)

(Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Oakland, CA; Washington, DC)

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/28/2019 to 11/29/2019
Salary
$88,011 to - $145,049 per year
Pay scale & grade
PE 2A
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Oakland, CA
Washington, DC
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
2A
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
GAO-20-TEAMS-0110-03MP
Control number
549762400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Applicants employed by other federal excepted service agencies who do not have status gained in the competitive service must apply to GAO-20-TEAMS-0110-03DEU to receive consideration.

Duties

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The GAO is seeking experienced professionals to serve as a Senior Economist; responsible for providing economics research in support of GAO engagements, and performing advanced economic analyses of federal programs and policies.  Specifically, the incumbent:

  • Identifies economic issues and participates in design, data collection and analysis, message development, and report writing.
  • Develops econometric analyses of economic, financial, and administrative data to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of federal programs and policies.
  • Applies advanced economic concepts and tools to the evaluation of federal programs and policies. Assesses economic trade-offs associated with federal programs and policies, including their impact on individuals, businesses, markets, prices and quantities.
  • Critically evaluates economic research conducted by federal agencies, academics and other experts to determine quality, relevance and implications for federal programs and policies.
  • Reviews draft reports to ensure accuracy, precision, and clarity of presentation of economic issues and data.
  • Clearly communicates in writing the methods and conclusions of advanced economic and econometric analyses and evaluations of economic research.
  • Presents results of economic research in formal and informal settings, including message agreement discussions, team meetings, and briefings for Congressional staff.
  • In collaboration with multi-disciplinary team members, develops findings and recommendations and prepares GAO products that provide factual and analytical information in a clear, balanced manner that meets the needs of congressional clients.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.<br>
  • Completion of a financial disclosure statement is required.<br>
  • Must be able to meet/maintain suitability & security requirements.<br>
  • Completion of a probationary period is required.<br>
  • Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.

You must possess the education and specialized experience as described to be determined basically qualified for this position.

All requirements must be met before the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

In addition to the education requirement, applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-12 in the federal service, or comparable private or public sector experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience applying statistical research techniques to collect and interpret data and developing new economic models or theories under the supervision of a senior researcher, such as a faculty member or manager.

You must also meet the following Selective Placement Factor (SPF):

Experience authoring economics research papers that provide evidence of knowledge of current advanced economic theories and research techniques in applied economics.

A writing sample, such as a research paper, that provides evidence of knowledge of current advanced economic theories and research techniques in applied economics must be submitted as part of your application package.

You must meet all qualifications requirements before the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Economist Series, 0110 Qualification Standard

A. Degree in 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.

**YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT SHOWING THIS COURSEWORK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION.**

Additional information

This is a bargaining unit position.

Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. 

Selectee will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement. (if applicable)
 
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit SSS.

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. At the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

Selectees will be subject to a determination of suitability for Federal employment.

GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodation@gao.gov.

GAO's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the GAO require completion of a probationary period.

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 qualification requirements stated, you will be further rated based on your responses to the assessment questions. Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume.

Please follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to an assessment question is "see resume”, your rating may be affected or you may be determined ineligible.

All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions, in conjunction with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

• Knowledge of advanced economics including theories and empirical techniques relevant to conducting research studies in applied economics.

• Ability to independently develop and perform analyses of complex economic issues.

• Knowledge of econometric techniques for the analysis of large data files and sensitivity analysis techniques when using econometric models.

• Ability to develop findings and author reports that adequately inform on the merits and limitations of an economic analysis

• Skill at oral and written communications while working in a collaborative environment.


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