Economist

Full Job Description

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.

This position is with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Federal/State Programs.

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. Specialized experience should include a thorough range of complex economic professional work.

Some examples of qualifying specialized experience include: GS-9: Plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate program productivity and deliverables from state partners; assist with planning and executing program quality assurance activities including conducting state visits to perform these activities; conduct data collection and/or review program data for accuracy; utilize program systems used in data capture and/or review.

OR Education Substitution: GS-9: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR Combination of Education and Specialized Experience:GS-9: Graduate education (more than one year but less than two) and specialized experience as required for GS-09 (less than one year) that when combined totals one year.

Only graduate education beyond the first year (18 semester hours or quarter hour equivalent) can be combined with experience to total one year.

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.

Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Provides non-complex guidance and technical assistance to cooperating state agencies in the collection, processing, analysis and interpretation of data generated by the Branch programs.

Participates in on-site reviews and analysis of reports to verify the integrity and validity of data produced by cooperating state agencies.

Collects data and assists with quality control work including response analysis studies and other special projects to improve overall program output.

Participates in providing training and orientation seminars for state agency personnel and selected regional staff, and may give presentations and speeches to business, union, governmental and professional groups relative to assigned programs.

Reviews and provides comments to supervisor on national program plans and specifications. Assists in adapting national directives to regional needs, conditions and resources.

May serve on technical advisory committees and/or special working groups to develop and recommend improved procedures for gathering, processing and analyzing data.

Provides assistance to senior staff in contract negotiations with top state agency officials for experimental or demonstration project, and in evaluating and accomplishing performance deliverables.

Duties at the GS-09 are developmental leading up to the full performance level of the GS-12