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Economist

Social Security Administration
Office of Analytics & Improvements (OAI), Division of Analytics Center of Excellence (ACE)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As an economist in the Analytics Center of Excellence, (ACE), the incumbent participates with senior staff members in the design and execution of the strategic planning process and establishing agency performance goals.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/16/2018 to 07/27/2018
Salary
$96,970 - $126,062 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
District of Columbia, DC
Woodlawn, MD
Falls Church, VA
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - /Flextime/Alternate work schedules may be available.
Service
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
SH10258542
Control number
504877700

Duties

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  • Develops, implements, and refines studies and executes projects applying economic theory and econometric techniques to the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data.
  • Prepares study plans and cost estimates, conducts economic analyses, and uses cost-benefit analyses to determine the value of alternative federal investments.
  • Designs and executes complex research studies into program operations to resolve service delivery issues including requisite data wrangling, research, and analysis.
  • Provides statistical advice and support on study design, sample selection, variance calculations, hypothesis testing, and data analysis.
  • Maintains proficiency in statistical software and database applications.
  • Analyzes study findings and develops recommendations proceeding from study results.
  • Prepares background papers, confidential reports, briefing materials, and recommendations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • Background and/or security investigation required
  • Job offers are contingent on background / security investigation results
  • Selectees are required to serve a 1 year probationary period
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position? Such experience should include competence in the application of a professional knowledge of economics in the performance of duties. This experience should be related to planning and carry out a project for collecting detailed economic data, recommending the initiation, development or revision of projects or studies, providing technical validity of findings, recognizing and evaluating significant and critical factors, solving complex problems and drawing rational inferences based on research findings and preparing reports, analysis and interpretations for management.

In addition, applicants must possess either:

  1. A degree in economics; that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR
  2. A combination of education which includes education courses that are equivalent to a major in economics (at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus) and experience such as individual economic research assignments, supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists; or teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following: personal research that produced evidence of results; direction of graduate theses in economics; or service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.
Please see the Education section for instructions on providing proof of education to satisfy this educational requirement. Transcript are required.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must have a degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; OR a combination of education which includes education courses that are equivalent to a major in economics (at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus) and experience detailed in the Qualifications section above.

For information on qualification requirement, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/economist-series-0110/

Providing Proof of Education or Substituting Education
For information on providing proof of education or substituting education for experience, visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-cler.asp

If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.

Additional information

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. These competencies include:

  • Skill in designing and conducting comprehensive research studies and/or developing analytic applications.
  • Skill in applying complex economic, econometric, mathematical, statistical, and analytical theories, principles, and concepts, including predictive and prescriptive modeling.
  • Data science and data wrangling skills.
  • Skill in interpreting results of comprehensive and complex analysis and developing findings.
  • Skill in written and oral communication.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10258542

Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the Assessment Questions. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:

1 - Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.

Social Security Administration

Do you have a desire to:

  • help SSA manage its Social Security programs?
  • analyze and solve problems?
  • help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals?
  • work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own?
Join SSA, one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!

Agency contact information

Stephanie Creek-Bevins
Phone
(410) 965-7916
Email
Stephanie.Creek-Bevins@ssa.gov
Address
DCARO - OAI
6401 Security Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21235
US

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http://www.ssa.gov/careers

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