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Economist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy Headquarters
Office of Energy Dominance Financing

Summary

This position is part of the EDF Office of Energy Dominance Financing, Department of Energy. As an Economist, you will evaluate large-scale energy financing transactions by developing complex financial and economic models, conducting credit-risk and downside scenario analyses, and ensuring compliance with federal credit policies to protect the government's financial interests.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for situational telework only.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$121,785 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
27-EF-13095824-DHA
Control number
889633800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Duties

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The Office of Energy Dominance Financing is committed to financing American energy and manufacturing projects that meaningfully contribute to U.S. energy security, grid reliability, and lowering costs for all Americans.

We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy

As an Economist, you will:

  • Create and test complex economic and financial models to see if projects can reliably repay their debt under different market and stress conditions.
  • Analyze multi-billion-dollar project-finance and corporate-finance structures to evaluate economic risk and recommend protective financing terms.
  • Recommend loan terms, conditions, and risk-mitigation measures to safeguard government investments.
  • Verify that transactions meet federal lending laws, Treasury rules, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) credit regulations.
  • Prepare clear written reports and brief senior officials and interagency partners on transaction risks, findings, and recommendations.
  • Apply advanced analytical techniques and software to improve due diligence, risk analysis, and portfolio monitoring.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
  • If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
  • At the GS-14 level, you are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
  • This position is not included in a Bargaining Unit.

Qualifications

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

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

  1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.

    OR

  2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.


GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

  1. Developing and running financial or economic models, including performing sensitivity, scenario, or stress analyses to evaluate cash flow viability, debt capacity, and credit risk.
  2. Analyzing commercial, corporate-finance, or project-finance transactions to assess financial risks and evaluate terms, covenants, or credit protections.
  3. Applying lending policies, credit guidelines, or regulatory standards (such as federal credit policies, banking regulations, or institutional credit underwriting standards) to evaluate proposed financing agreements and document findings.

GS-14 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

  1. Evaluating complex, multi-billion-dollar project-finance or corporate-finance transactions to assess borrower credit risk, debt capacity, and long-term repayment viability.
  2. Conducting and financial modeling and stress testing (including sensitivity, scenario, and downside analyses) to evaluate the financial viability and repayment capacity of borrowers or projects.
  3. Preparing credit evaluations and technical documentation governed by federal credit laws, OMB guidelines, or commercial underwriting policies, and advising decision-makers and review authorities on transaction risks and regulatory compliance

"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.


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


You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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". 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

  • Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
  • EEO Policy: https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process
  • Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/articles/reasonable-accommodation-and-personal-assistance-service-procedure
  • Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses
  • Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
  • The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov.
  • CTAP/ICTAP Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.

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.

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Economist positions in the 0110 series. . Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process.

Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

USA Hire: Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to meet the established proficiency threshold or fail to complete the assessment.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, the result of the USA Hire assessment, and a minimum qualification review.

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
  • Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
  • Attention to Detail
  • Compliance
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Economics
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Risk Management
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
  • Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status.
  • Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include:
    • Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and
    • The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/26/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13095824

Department of Energy Headquarters

Agency contact information

Lorraine Liebes
Email
lorraine.liebes@hq.doe.gov
Address
EDF Office of Energy Dominance Financing
Department of Energy
Human Capital Shared Service Center
1000 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20585
US

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https://www.energy.gov

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