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Economist

Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.

This position is with the U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Field Operations, National Compensation Survey (NCS) and and Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS).

This position is inside the bargaining unit.  

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/22/2021 to 02/26/2021
Salary
$49,884 to - $79,323 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Orange County, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel by any means of government or public transportation may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
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.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
DE-21-CHI-BLS-085
Control number
592896000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens; Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program and Career Transition Assistance Program eligibles in the local commuting area.

Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

  • The incumbent makes arrangements preparatory to obtaining data from enterprises for which the collection of data is expected to be straight forward and uncomplicated and requires the application of conventional methods.

  • Applies standard practices and techniques to the solicitation of data and reports information in accordance with survey requirements. Performs routine analysis of collected information in order to discover and rectify common discrepancies.

  • Work requires the application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria to a sequence of related collection tasks.

  • Makes arrangements preparatory to obtaining voluntary data from enterprises for which the collection of data is expected to present relatively few complexities and for which precedents exist.

  • Atypical situations are referred to the supervisor for further instruction. For training and development purposes, assignments may include some segments or aspects of work that are typically at a higher level.

  • Makes follow-up contact to respondents providing data to ensure accurate and timely survey results. While most data requirements are straight forward, some analysis is necessary to ensure that the data reported are accurate.

  • Prepares end-of-survey reports which provide a synopsis of collection experiences and recommendations for survey improvement.

  • Responds to queries from respondents for BLS information by providing them with the salient publications, assisting in interpretation where appropriate, or referring them to appropriate regional staff.

  • Other duties as assigned: For developmental purposes may assist in universe and sample refinement and participate in test projects.

    Duties at the GS-07 are development leading up to the full performance level of the GS-12.

Requirements

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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.
  • Requires a valid drivers license.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Basic Requirement AND Minimum qualifications for each grade they wish to be considered for.

Basic Requirements:

Economist, GS-0110: 

A) Degree in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. 

OR 

B) A combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, applicants must also meet the minimum qualifications to be considered:

GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5. 

GS-9: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7. 

Specialized experience should include a thorough range of complex economic professional work. Some examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

GS-7: Applying standard practices and techniques to the solicitation and collection of economic information or data for surveys or projects, analyzing or interpreting economic or statistical information in order to identify and resolve discrepancies, and preparing reports based on collected information.

GS-9: Applying economic principles, standard practices and techniques to the solicitation and collection of economic data or information for surveys/projects in accordance with requirements; analyzing and interpreting economic information to recognize variances and discrepancies; and preparing reports based on collected information and recommending improvements.

OR

Education Substitution:

GS-7: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement.

Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

1) Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.

2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. A list of acceptable honor societies can be found.

GS-9: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

GS-7: An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

GS-9: An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this position.

For additional information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management Operating Manual for Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions.  Individual Occupation Requirements for Economist Series GS-110.

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

This position is located in Orange County, CA.

Explanation of Evaluation Factors (Competencies)

All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.

Decision Making: Employs strategic & critical approaches to decision-making and/or problem solving.

Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, professionalism, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, & politeness, even with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed.

Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial).

Planning and Evaluating :Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitor progress and evaluates outcomes.

Self-Management: Sets well-defined & realistic personal goals; displays a high level of motivation, initiative, effort, and commitment towards timely completion of assignments with minimal supervision.

Technology: Uses machines, tools, instruments, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format. Keeps up-to-date on technological developments.

Writing: Recognizes & uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information, in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information.

Economic Data Management & Analysis: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, & tools of data management.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

DELEGATED EXAMINING UNIT AGREEMENT DOL-1 2010

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.

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).  The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings.  Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions.  If not, the HRO 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 ELIGIBLES 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 eligibles 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.

Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.


To preview questions please click here.

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