Economist
What you'd do
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making. These positions are with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Price Programs, Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Major duties
Duties include but are not limited to: Collects data from less complex businesses/sample units for assigned survey(s). Some analysis is necessary to ensure that the data reported are accurate. Data may be collected via telephone, in-person, on-line, or via video collaboration tools, depending on program procedures and respondent willingness. Performs internet research on sampled companies. Secures voluntary cooperation and interviews with company officials in order to collect data from businesses for assigned survey(s). Makes phone calls to schedule appointments, and conducts interviews with sampled establishments. Deliberate with group member to gain consensus and accomplish project goals. Communicate with situational awareness and persistence to solicit cooperation from outside parties. Build constructive and cooperative relationships with others while working to accomplish the organization's mission. Organize, prioritize, and/or complete assignments according to established standards, procedures, and deadlines. Manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities to complete concurrent projects within time constraints. Duties at the GS-07 are developmental leading up to the full performance level of the GS-12
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet the Basic Requirements and the Minimum qualifications to qualify for each series and grade they wish to be considered for. Basic Requirements Economist, GS-0110: A) Degree in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. OR B) A combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, applicants must also meet the Minimum Qualifications to be considered: Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience should include a thorough range of economic professional work. GS-07: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal Service. Examples of qualifying experience: Planned, scheduled, and collected economic or survey data from assigned companies and industries and collected data via protocols such as personal visits, video collaboration tools, phone, and or/email, or entered collected data into software for review and transmittal. OR Education Substitution: GS-07: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. A list of acceptable honor societies can be found at Association of College Honor Societies OR Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: GS-07: An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. For additional information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management Operating Manual for Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions: Individual Occupation Requirements for Economist Series GS-110.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.