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Economist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Department of Energy
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are to be filled under the OPM Government-Wide Direct Hire Authority Certain STEM Positions for grades GS 11-15. This serves as a public notice for the use of the Direct Hire Authority in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3327 and 3330 and 5 CFR 330. Under this recruitment procedure, applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified in this Public Notice. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/16/2023 to 09/30/2023
Salary
$69,107 to - $183,500 per year

Pay will vary by geographic location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 15
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Anchorage, AK
Berkeley, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Menlo Park, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Multiple
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CY-23-OCDH-0110-11789714-DH
Control number
700077500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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The Department of Energy is seeking motivated and highly-qualified candidates for exciting positions available in multiple locations throughout the United States.

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

As an Economist, at minimum you will:

  • Conceive, design, perform and document a broad range of economic analyses and research assignments involving conditions and problems pertaining to Energy and bring such studies to meaningful conclusions.
  • Evaluate impact of new technologies, systems, policies, and international market forces.
  • Document study purposes, methods, assumptions, and conclusions, and briefs high-level officials. Acquire thorough parametric knowledge of subjects to perform sound, authoritative economic analyses.
  • Obtain, compile, organize, and analyze economic data. Select critical elements of real world systems for inclusion in models and applies economical techniques in innovative ways.
  • Monitor and conduct special studies important to agency decision makers. Analyze in innovative ways, the effects of different policies and advises high level managers of positive and negative effects of the different policies and policy options.
  • Generate ideas for new programs, policies, studies and approaches in assigned subject areas.
  • Brief study sponsors and high level officials on findings and conclusions of studies, and on relationships of conclusions to existing and proposed policies and policy options.
  • Apply extensive knowledge of issues, problems, and studies to assure results reflect real world environments.
  • May serve as a project leader, assuming responsibility for the development of project planning, coordination of overall team efforts, and maintaining appropriate lines of communication.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
  • May be required to successfully complete a 1-year probationary period.
  • Positions are located agency-wide and may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
  • Appointments made with this authority may be processed as a new appointment into the Civil Service.
  • The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret - DOE "Q" clearance.
  • Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location.
  • This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

A. Degree: 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.

In addition to meeting the education requirement above. You must also meet the experience requirement below.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The specialized experience listed are the minimum requirements for the series, each particular vacancy may have additional experience necessary to meet the applicable grade level.

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for these positions are defined as:

GS-11: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

  • Applying quantitative methods and techniques used to evaluate information concerning mathematical, statistical, or economic factors related to energy market conditions or energy industry practices.
  • Drafting reports and/or written results.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

  • Developing methods used to gather, analyze and evaluate information concerning critical mathematical, statistical, economic or other relevant factors related to energy market conditions, or energy industrial practices.
  • Planning and executing a variety of projects pertaining to energy.
  • Developing strategic planning activities, including program objectives, goals, or measures.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

GS-13: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

  • Analyzing and evaluating current methods used to gather, analyze and evaluate information concerning mathematical, statistical, economic or other relevant factors related to energy market conditions or energy industrial practices in order to make improvements.
  • Creating, performing and documenting economic analyses involving current and projected pricing, production supply and distribution patterns, conditions and problems pertaining to the energy industry.
  • Providing research interpretations and recommendations to senior officials based on economic research and studies.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

GS-14: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

  • Initiating, formulating, developing, designing, performing, and documenting a broad range of economic analyses and assignments that provide systematic economic data collection, analysis, modelling, reporting and policy inputs, and associated timelines and costs, for current or continuing or projected programs in one or more areas of economic activity.
  • Documenting purposes, methods, assumptions and conclusions, and bases sound economic analyses on thorough parametric knowledge of subjects studied.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.

GS-15: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Experience defined as:

  • Providing analyses, interpretations, and opinions to officials internal and external on a broad variety of cases and issues that include economic and policy positions on very complex and difficult matters requiring a high order of original and creative economics endeavor that will broaden or restrict activities, or have a very important impact on energy and related industries and the public.
  • Assessing the readiness level, quality of output and outcomes, and the organizational support for the broad function of economics study necessary to create and maintain the highest level of professionalism and efficacy in the economics discipline.
  • Reviewing and commenting on proposed legislation, rulemaking and regulatory activities of agencies to ensure adequate consideration of concerns and to assess the impact of those activities on statutory missions or policies.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-0110 series can be found at the following website: 0110 Qualifications

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • This public notice is to gather applications for current and future vacancies that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
  • Applications will expire 90 days after receipt.
  • Applicants are limited to 4 geographic locations.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
  • Positions may be designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) and subject to testing for illegal drug use. A negative drug test must be obtained prior to being appointed into these positions and will be subject to random testing thereafter.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • This announcement is intended to build an applicant registry for a variety of positions in the listed series up to the GS-15 grade level. There may or may not be promotion potential depending upon the actual position filled.
  • Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
  • Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with regulation and policy.
  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • Position may require you to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). For additional information and to obtain the form, please visit the Office of Government Ethics.
  • EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
  • Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
  • Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

How you will be evaluated

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

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


This position is announced under a government-wide Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Economist positions in the GS-0110 series. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Administration and Management
  • Economics
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Project Management


You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements at the time the applications are reviewed.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11789714.

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