Economist
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, located in Washington, DC. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
Major duties
CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. As an Economist you will serve as the lead economist in the preparation of regulatory analyses for CBP regulatory actions, with occasional support to other economists. Assisting with major and conducting smaller complex economic analysis that involves extensive research and documentation; and using and developing innovative analytical techniques. This position starts at a salary of $121,785.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $158,322.00 (GS-13, Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Typical duties may include: Serving as lead economist for proposed and existing CBP regulatory actions, preparing comprehensive regulatory impact analyses that assess economic and societal effects, including baselines, costs, benefits, and alternatives, in accordance with EO 12866, OMB Circular A-4, RFA, PRA, and UMRA. Conducting research and analysis on regulatory issues affecting the secure movement of people through U.S. ports of entry, security of international cargo supply chains (truck, rail, air, sea), and international trade and customs revenue functions, and document results in detailed, reproducible reports for rulemaking dockets. Providing technical guidance and support to other economists, including reviewing their work, developing analytical approaches, and preparing and delivering briefings, policy papers, and other materials that translate complex economic concepts for technical and non-technical audiences. Reviewing regulations and supporting economic analyses from other DHS components; participating in intra- and interagency workgroups and committees to exchange information, coordinating positions, and contributing economic expertise on homeland security, customs revenue, and international trade policies.
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience as described below and meet the basic requirement listed above. Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Participating in intra- and interagency workgroups by reviewing regulations and economic analyses, exchanging information, and contributing economic expertise to support homeland security and international trade policy discussions. Providing technical support to economists and stakeholders by drafting policy papers, delivering briefings, and translating complex economic concepts into accessible formats for meetings, workgroups or projects. Determining assignment scope and methodology by identifying objectives, resolving arising problems, and adapting strategies to ensure effective completion of economic analyses. Identifying and evaluating multifaceted economic issues by resolving critical problems and developing defensible analytical findings to support Assisting in planning, initiating, and conducting multifaceted economic analyses of regulatory actions by supporting study design, identifying relevant data sources, and applying established quantitative and qualitative methods to meet agency objectives. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/31/2026. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.
Before you apply
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