This position is located in the Office of Economics & Competition Analysis (OECA). The office provides a unique opportunity to work on anti-trust, logistics, and transportation issues. The OECA provides support to the agency in antitrust economics and competition policy and analyzes and monitors agreements for any anti-competitive effects. The incumbent will perform a range of technical and specialized program functions directly associated with oversight of the liner shipping industry.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of Economics & Competition Analysis (OECA). The office provides a unique opportunity to work on anti-trust, logistics, and transportation issues. The OECA provides support to the agency in antitrust economics and competition policy and analyzes and monitors agreements for any anti-competitive effects. The incumbent will perform a range of technical and specialized program functions directly associated with oversight of the liner shipping industry.
Analyze (or assist senior economists in analyzing) the impact of agreements filed at the Commission on prices (shipping rates) and transportation services offered to shippers.
Conduct market studies of different sectors of the US international maritime industry, including ocean carriers, drayage trucking, chassis and other equipment providers, port authorities, marine terminals, ocean freight forwarders, etc.
Provide support in developing policy, preparing economic findings, and in developing economic and market aspects of congressional testimony.
Monitor the commercial and operational activities in assigned agreements and trade areas for potential anti-competitive effects.
Maintain monitoring data sets and conduct statistical analysis to determine anomalies and identify any potential red-flags in these data.
Participate in meetings with users and providers of ocean transportation services to discuss the competitive impacts of agreements, operational strategies, and commercial practices of all regulated entities subject to the Shipping Act.
Interact with politically appointed Commissioners (and Commissioners' staff) and present findings at public Commission meetings.
The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.
It is your responsibility to ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year (MM/YYYY), and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
You must meet the Basic Requirement AND the Additional Qualification Requirement listed below by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirement:
A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. (Masters in Economics preferred, but not required.) OR
B. Have a combination of education that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus AND experience that involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories. Examples of qualifying experience include (1) individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation; (2) supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or (3) teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (a) personal research that produced evidence of results, (b) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (c) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.
Additional Qualification for GS-12 level:
You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience may have been demonstrated by performing duties such as:
Conducting analyses for minor components of reports;
Preparing short memos or analyses; and
Conducting standard statistical tests between means and between proportions.
Additional Qualification for GS-13 level:
You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience may have been demonstrated by performing duties, such as:
Conducting analyses for entire, final reports (or significant subcomponents of major studies);
Initiating researching, planning, interpreting findings, and preparing results of analyses conducted; and
Utilizing standard econometric techniques (e.g., OLS) and software packages.
Education
Please see the sections "Qualifications" and "Required Documents" for additional education information.
Additional information
Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the occupational questionnaire.
This opportunity is also open to Status Eligibles under Announcement 2019-06-MP. Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
We may fill like positions within 12 months of the close of the announcement.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
A 1-year probationary period is required.
A Public Trust background investigation is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a background investigation.
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
May be required to obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.
Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:
Economics
Manages and Organizes Information
Reasoning
Oral Communication
Rating: This position will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the direct-hire authority. For more information on Direct Hire Authorities, you may visit OPM's Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet.
Referral:If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)), you must be assigned to the Well Qualified category or better to receive special selection priority.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancyquestion responses, 3. Transcripts (official or unofficial); and 4. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or will not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.)
VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION
If you are claiming veterans preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form.
For more information on veterans' preference please visit FedsHireVets.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, you must submit the following documents:
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, you must submit documentary evidence, e.g., Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice, Certification of Expected Separation, SF-50 documenting separation by RIF, or a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration;
Displaced District of Columbia Government, Department of Corrections employees will be eligible for priority consideration and competitive appointment (Public Law 105-274). Eligible candidates are not restricted by geographic location or grade level in jobs for which they apply. Documentary evidence is the same as stated above.
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTATION
If you are applying under a special hiring authority (i.e. Schedule A persons with disabilities authority), submit a copy of proof of your eligibility.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon EST on the announcement's closing date.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Bureau of Trade Analysis
800 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite 940
Washington, DC 20573
US
Next steps
You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS My Account tab and clicking on Application Status. For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on more information.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancyquestion responses, 3. Transcripts (official or unofficial); and 4. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or will not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.)
VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION
If you are claiming veterans preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form.
For more information on veterans' preference please visit FedsHireVets.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, you must submit the following documents:
If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, you must submit documentary evidence, e.g., Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice, Certification of Expected Separation, SF-50 documenting separation by RIF, or a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration;
Displaced District of Columbia Government, Department of Corrections employees will be eligible for priority consideration and competitive appointment (Public Law 105-274). Eligible candidates are not restricted by geographic location or grade level in jobs for which they apply. Documentary evidence is the same as stated above.
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTATION
If you are applying under a special hiring authority (i.e. Schedule A persons with disabilities authority), submit a copy of proof of your eligibility.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon EST on the announcement's closing date.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Bureau of Trade Analysis
800 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite 940
Washington, DC 20573
US
Next steps
You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS My Account tab and clicking on Application Status. For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on more information.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.