Economist
What you'd do
This position is located in the United Stated Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Office of Workforce Investment (OWI). OWI is responsible for implementing an integrated national workforce investment system that supports economic growth and provides workers with the information, advice, job search assistance, supportive services, and training for in-demand industries and occupations. This position is inside the bargaining unit.
Major duties
This is a career ladder progression position. The incumbent serves in a developmental capacity, wherein the work is less complex in nature and the supervisor or a senior level employee provides specific instruction and guidance. Key functions will be essentially the same as those described at the full performance level of the target Economist, GS-0110-14. Major Duties for the GS-13 are listed below: Serves in a developmental capacity as a primary economic expert on the use of statistical and economic methods for program and policy analysis, data collection, validation, and technical computation with large datasets. Conducts complex economic studies and analyses involving workforce development programs, labor market conditions, employment and training services, program performance, and related public investments in human capital. Analyzes large and complex administrative, programmatic, economic, and labor market datasets to identify patterns, measure outcomes, assess relationships among variables, and support program and policy analysis. Oversees and/or performs policy and program analysis, including designing data collection systems, assembling datasets, and developing data validation methodologies. Leads the creation of econometric and statistical models for efficient program management, generates high-quality economic reports on labor market and economic trends, and develops or refines legislative proposals, policy briefs, and program documents. Represents the organization in meetings, workgroups, and consultations with Federal, State, local, academic, and other stakeholders on issues involving labor market analysis, workforce development programs, economic research, and related data matters. Develops and uses statistical programs, computational tools, and related programming code necessary to organize data and perform complex quantitative analyses. Plans and carries out coordinated research efforts or related series of studies designed to resolve workforce and labor market problems, assess performance results, and evaluate the implications of program or policy alternatives. Provides technical advice and recommendations to Employment & Training Administration (ETA) managers, program officials, and other staff on economic findings, data interpretation, methodological issues, analytical limitations, and the likely effects of proposed programmatic or policy actions. Participates in the design, refinement, and technical review of program data collection, reporting, and performance accountability processes to improve the reliability, consistency, and analytical usefulness of workforce program information. Conducts or coordinates auxiliary studies needed to test assumptions, resolve methodological issues, strengthen interpretation of results, or support broader analytical conclusions. Coordinates analytical activities with other economists, analysts, evaluators, subject matter experts, contractors, and program staff engaged in related research, data, reporting, or policy efforts to ensure consistency, methodological rigor, and effective use of findings. Prepares technical reports, issue papers, policy analyses, briefing materials, presentations, and related written products that explain methods, findings, conclusions, and implications for program operations, legislative proposals, and workforce policy.
What you need to qualify
You must meet the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience to qualify for the Economist, GS-0110-13 Basic Requirements: 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 as listed below or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience include: individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation; supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems. Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations: economic statistics; industrial surveys; management of individual business enterprises, including farms; industrial planning; writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and financial market analysis. In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements above, applicants must also meet the specialized experience shown below: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-12, in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and actual experience to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Qualifying specialized experience for GS-13 includes all of the following: (Note: Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience.) Researching, compiling, and analyzing economic data and/or statistical reports from a variety of sources (e.g., federal agencies, states, grantees); Validating data, preparing interpretive reports, and presenting/reporting results and outcomes reflecting economic patterns and/ or labor market trends; Advising and consulting on economic and workforce matters to government officials, private organizations, and/or citizens; and Demonstrated experience working with Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) data. WHEN DOCUMENTING EXPERIENCE IN YOUR RESUME, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. NO ASSUMPTIONS WILL BE MADE ABOUT YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE. There is no substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.
Before you apply
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