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Interdisciplinary Statistician (Economics)/Economist

Department of Defense
Defense Human Resources Activity
Defense Personnel Analytics Center (DPAC)

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity. The incumbent will be responsible for all matters related to DoD cost of living allowances, statistical data, mathematical data and economic data..

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/28/2026 to 05/10/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$121,785 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Alexandria, VA
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DHRADPAC-26-12946657-DHA
Control number
866942300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hiring Authority Notice open to the Public using the Government-Wide DHA for STEM Positions.

Duties

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This position is being posted under OPM's Direct Hire authority for Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) positions: For more information please see: Direct Hire Authority (opm.gov)

As a Interdisciplinary Statistician (Economics)/Economist at the GS-0110/1530-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

If selected at the GS-13 level, the below responsibilities will be performed in a developmental capacity.

  • Selection and collection of pertinent economic and cost-of-living data.
  • Review of the system and techniques used to make cost-of-living allowance determinations.
  • Establishing COLA rates by directing and managing large data submission cycles.
  • Giving authoritative interpretations, findings, briefings and judgments upon which official action and policy are based.
  • Coordinating with the Departments, Bureaus, Agencies, and private firms interested in cost-of-living allowances in order to set allowance

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Perform in-depth analysis of economic markets and cost-of-living data to determine and recommend allowance rates. This includes utilizing statistical procedures, automated systems, and database management techniques for complex estimations.
  • Oversee the selection and collection of economic and cost-of-living data, reviewing the systems and techniques used for allowance determinations, and managing large data submission cycles.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in interpreting, explaining, and applying complex regulations, policies, and procedures governing allowances, such as those found in the Financial Management Regulation (FMR) and United States Code Title 37.
  • Develop and present authoritative findings, briefings, and judgments to senior officials and other government agencies. This includes defending allowance program methodologies and explaining the impact of policy changes to a variety of audiences.
  • Coordinate with various organizations both within and outside the Department of Defense (DoD) including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of State, Congressional staff, and private firms on matters related to statistical input, data sources, and economic conditions.
You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

B. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Apply data analysis techniques to clean, transform, and model cost-of-living data, uncovering insights to inform allowance rates and identify trends, patterns, and anomalies using statistical tools and software.
  • Participate in the collection of economic and cost-of-living data, apply established techniques for allowance determinations.
  • Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations governing allowances to operations, ensuring compliance through ongoing analysis of regulatory changes and requirements.
  • Develop findings to support briefings for senior staff and explain program methodologies to stakeholders.
  • Collaborate across agencies and teams to achieve shared goals by fostering relationships, coordinating efforts, and resolving conflicts constructively.
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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0110/1530 series.

Statistics 1530: Basic Requirements:

A. Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.


OR


B. Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.


Economist 0110: Basic Requirements

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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY?

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (
ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12946657.

To review the status of an application through USAJOBS:
1. Log into your USAJOBS account
2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application
3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf .
Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144. You are highly encouraged to submit your application package and complete your assessment questionnaire on-line.

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Defense Human Resources Activity

DPAC is an operational component within DHRA and is designated to serve in direct analytic support to the military Services and OSD to conduct comprehensive analysis on how policy or environmental changes affect the performance or composition of the workforce. DP AC provides the go-to expertise for scientific assessments, data analytics, and outreach, to improve the lives of the DoD community. It enhances people-related policies and programs through collaborations, recommendations, and solutions in a responsive, objective, and customer-focused approach. DPAC provides a vibrant learning environment for all team members. Professional development is encouraged, and researchers continually build their skillsets and hone their expertise.

Agency contact information

DHRA Servicing Team
Phone
6146920201
Email
DHRS-D-DHRA@dla.mil
Address
Defense Human Resources Activity
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-110
US

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