As a Pathways Recent Graduates - International Economist, you will perform the following duties:

• Assists with smaller segments of larger projects that are designed to provide further experience and familiarity with the work of the organization, i.e., perform internet and other searches and document findings.
• Collect and compile relevant data to analyze a specified problem and update databases for econometric models using tables and charts to illustrate analyses.
• Prepare preliminary interpretive reports; and use computer applications to provide economic and/or trade related research.
• Assist more senior-level Economists in the performance of work assignments.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Pathways Recent Graduates - International Economist GS-0110-7/9/11 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Note: The Department's Recent Graduates Program is a 1-year program in accordance with Title 5, CFR § 362.301. However, subject to approval, a two-year program may be deemed allowable for occupations that require a longer and more structured training program. Recent Graduate may not be converted to a permanent position unless the Recent Graduate fully completes the designated 1 or 2-year program.

Conditions of employment

• This position is Open to U.S. Citizens who have completed a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 years or are within 9 months of graduating. Veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion. Click on the link for to search for Qualifying Education Institutions: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
• Exception to the 2-year application period: Veterans, as defined in Title 5 USC 2108 who due to military service obligation were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period, shall have a full-two year period of eligibility upon his or her release or discharge from activity duty. In no event may the veteran's eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date the individual completed the requirements of the academic course of study.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Drug Test: Yes
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will NOT be paid
• Trial Period/Probationary Period (Excepted Service Appointment "A Trial Period may be required")
• This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent position upon completion of all Recent Graduate program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information).

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) that makes education a basic requirement for the position. The position also has a specialized experience requirement for each grade level as described below.

Basic Education Requirement:
A. Bachelor's 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 that includes courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Note: Transcripts must be provided that show evidence of completion of academic requirements OR the expected date of program completion. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Minimum Qualification Requirements for each grade level (in addition to the basic education requirement described above):

To qualify at the GS-7 level you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Collecting and compiling economic research data to prepare preliminary report; and
• Experience utilizing computer applications to assist with economic research.

At the GS-7 level education may be substituted for the specialized experience, as follows:

A. One year of graduate-level education. (in addition to the basic education requirement described above).

-OR-

B. Superior Academic Achievement as demonstrated by a bachelor's degree in a related field (such as economics) from an accredited college or university with one of that included one of the following.

• A grade point average (GPA) of 2.95 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
• GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
• Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.

-OR-

C. A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. To combine education and experience, the total must add up to 100% and must be demonstrated in both the resume and transcripts.

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To qualify at the GS-9 level you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing studies and/or perform analysis including preparing preliminary reports.
• Collecting and compiling economic research data from primary and secondary sources; and
• Utilizing computer applications to perform economic research.

At the GS-9 level education may be substituted for the specialized experience, as follows:

A. Two years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

-OR-

B. A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience may be deemed qualifying. To combine education and experience the total must add up to 100% and must be demonstrated in both the resume and transcripts.

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To qualify at the GS-11 level you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Using Economic Theory to research information and facts on international trade, analyzing trends; and
• Developing presentations and performing any of the following: written analyses, charts and graphs based on international trade research data.

At the GS-11 level education may be substituted for the specialized experience, as follows:

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

-OR-

B. A combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience. To combine education and experience the total must add up to 100% and must be demonstrated in both the resume and transcripts.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are "gold", "silver" and "bronze". However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.


The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

• Economics
• Research
• Oral Communication
• Computer Skills

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration.

• Classified or government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636061

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.