The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people.
The Antitrust Division has an opening for an Economist to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process.
Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy?
Summary
The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people.
The Antitrust Division has an opening for an Economist to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process.
Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy?
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15 - Promotion to the next grade level depends upon your ability to perform the duties of the next grade level, your performance rating, the Division's need for a higher-grade employee, completion of the required waiting period, and is not guaranteed.
The public. U.S. Citizens. This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. All applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration. Category Rating, Veterans' Preference, Schedule A and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this vacancy.
This position is located in the Expert Analysis Group (EAG) within the Antitrust Division (ATR). The Expert Analysis Group (EAG) is one of the world's leading venues for developing and applying economics to real world questions of competition. The Economist hired will conduct analysis that plays a central role in enforcement efforts to protect competition and benefit consumers through low prices, high quality, and innovation.
As an Economist (DIRECT HIRE), you will:
Analyze the likely effects on competition of horizontal or vertical mergers
Determine useful sources of data and other relevant information to resolve critical issues identified by theoretical framework
Prepare economic reports and guide other economists in the preparation of materials for decision makers
Develop oral and written presentations outlining study findings and recommendations
Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement.
You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this position.
You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
You may be required to take and successfully clear a drug test.
You must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see SSS.gov). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
This position is ineligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit.
This is a full-time, non-supervisory permanent appointment in the competitive service subject to a one-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 315.801.
The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program.
Qualifications
Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled.
To qualify for this position at the GS-14, applicants must meet both the basic qualification requirements AND demonstrate the required specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level.
Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
GS-14 level: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 level performing at least 2 out of 3 of the below:
Leading, as well as independently drafting analysis and studies for senior decision makers and management;
Identifying and evaluating the effects of regulations or similar constraints on the profit-maximizing strategies of firms; and
Communicating economic or econometric analyses including assumptions and concepts by organizing and documenting research results through written reports and oral presentations for the purpose of impacting decisions.
To qualify for this position at the GS-15, applicants must meet both the basic qualification requirements AND demonstrate the required specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level.
GS-15 level: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 level performing at least 2 out 3 of the below:
Managing all or part of a team performing economic or econometric analysis, with responsibility for the content of that analysis;
Presenting economic findings at government agency level and non-academic third parties to inform decisions; and
Providing economic advice and analysis to support litigation strategy and decisions.
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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.
Education
Basic Requirements:
1. A degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; NOTE: Transcript(s) must be provided.
-OR-
2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Applicants MUST submit a copy of transcripts with your application. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name, name of the school, the date and degree awarded (if conferred), the list of classes, grades and credits earned. You will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment if you are selected.
All academic degrees and course work must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation.
*Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
*All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is online.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over candidates from other agencies for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority over other applicants who are not employees of the Department of Justice if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is online.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume should demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume.
If after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your rating.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. A copy of your resume or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their resume, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. A cover letter is optional.
RESUME REQUIREMENTS - ALL APPLICANTS: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific resume requirements. If you have not written a federal resume before, you may want to read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements.
Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer.
For all types of work experience, indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked.
Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
2. A copy of your transcript - If there is a basic education requirement, you are qualifying based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position.
3. A writing sample, which can be a chapter of a doctoral dissertation, a job market paper adapted from such a chapter, or any other document that clearly establishes the minimum qualification requirements.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service) which shows type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form, which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include promotions, Within Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s over one year old). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof.
5. Documentation of eligibility for CTAP and ICTAP (if applicable) - You must provide written notification of your eligibility for CTAP and/or ICTAP; your most recent Performance Appraisal, and your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 04/01/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Please note: Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mailing systems are in violation of agency and postal regulations and will not be accepted.
These instructions outline our application process. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you must contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Section by email at ATR.personnel@usdoj.gov or by phone at 202-514-2469 to obtain an alternative application.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for disability during any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Karen Jung by phone at 202-514-8885 or by email at Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov. The Antitrust Division provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. You must contact us by 5:00 p.m. ET on the announcement's closing date to request accommodation. Callers with hearing or speech impairment can access their state's telecommunications relay service (TRS) to make TTY calls by dialing 7-1-1. Ms. Jung is not the point of contact for questions about the vacancy announcement.
Antitrust Division
450 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications based on the application we receive. Ranking will be determined based on responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 to 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. A copy of your resume or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their resume, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. A cover letter is optional.
RESUME REQUIREMENTS - ALL APPLICANTS: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific resume requirements. If you have not written a federal resume before, you may want to read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements.
Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer.
For all types of work experience, indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked.
Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
2. A copy of your transcript - If there is a basic education requirement, you are qualifying based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position.
3. A writing sample, which can be a chapter of a doctoral dissertation, a job market paper adapted from such a chapter, or any other document that clearly establishes the minimum qualification requirements.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service) which shows type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form, which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include promotions, Within Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s over one year old). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof.
5. Documentation of eligibility for CTAP and ICTAP (if applicable) - You must provide written notification of your eligibility for CTAP and/or ICTAP; your most recent Performance Appraisal, and your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 04/01/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Please note: Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mailing systems are in violation of agency and postal regulations and will not be accepted.
These instructions outline our application process. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you must contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Section by email at ATR.personnel@usdoj.gov or by phone at 202-514-2469 to obtain an alternative application.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for disability during any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Karen Jung by phone at 202-514-8885 or by email at Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov. The Antitrust Division provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. You must contact us by 5:00 p.m. ET on the announcement's closing date to request accommodation. Callers with hearing or speech impairment can access their state's telecommunications relay service (TRS) to make TTY calls by dialing 7-1-1. Ms. Jung is not the point of contact for questions about the vacancy announcement.
Antitrust Division
450 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications based on the application we receive. Ranking will be determined based on responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 to 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
