Economist

Full Job Description

The Bureau of Labor Statistics 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, Office of Field Operations, Dallas Region, Data Collection Center.

Applicants must meet the basic education requirements, eligibility requirements of time-in-grade (52 weeks at the next lower grade), time-after-competitive-appointment (90 days), and minimum qualifications (52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade in federal service).

These requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

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 Requirements above, applicants must also meet the minimum qualifications to be considered.

For GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service.

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 demonstrate a thorough understanding of economic principles and theories and a wide knowledge of current economic factors and their implications.

Specialized experience includes all of the following: Provides technical assistance and guidance in the collection, processing, estimating, analysis, and interpretation of economic data; Proficient at presenting materials of a technical nature to a diverse group and provides training to a diverse group; Recommends changes in technical procedures to improve program effectiveness and data adequacy; AND Reviews program plans and specifications and comments on their adequacies and expected impact.

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:

This position is the Data Collection Center Manager in the Dallas Region and performs the following duties: Serves as liaison between the Data Collection Center and BLS national office as well as among other data collection centers.

Communicates, on a continuing basis, with managers in the national office to develop and, where appropriate, revise plans to meet collection needs.

Establishes, communicates, and monitors production goals and priorities for contract collection operations.

Serves as primary BLS resource and technical expert for contract operations in the Data Collection Center and exercises leadership in overseeing its statistical/economic and management activities.

The incumbent's leadership and decisions affect the quality of statistical and economic data and the effectiveness of the program for one of the Bureau's most important and highly visible statistical efforts.

Oversees the contractor management of technology and associated operational and logistical issues to ensure full infrastructure capability to operate the Data Collection Center reliably and efficiently.

Serves as the primary technical liaison with national system staff and as an expert on BLS operating systems.

Assists in developing the requirements, testing, and implementing enhancements to the BLS processing systems.

Thorough understanding of Computer Assisted Telephone Collection (CATI), Web collection, and other sophisticated establishment data collection techniques in order to serve as the primary technical liaison with national system staff and as an expert on BLS operating systems and to assist in developing the requirements development, testing, and implementing enhancements to the BLS processing systems.

Supervise less than 25% of the time - Provides administrative and technical direction to a small staff of federal employees in the Data Collection Center.

Assures that staff follows BLS Agency, Division, and Office policies, procedures, standards, and agency policy.

The position is responsible for on-site technical, operational and quality control direction for the data collection program in the Data Collection Center.