Economist - DIRECT HIRE BIL

Summary

We are seeking entry-level Economists to work with colleagues to provide leaders with information to make policy, programmatic, regulatory, and procurement decisions. Work includes benefit-cost analyses, forecasting, evaluations, and surveys. The work that you do can save lives, save time, support sustainability, promote civil rights, and help make every dollar count!

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Duties

As a Economist, You Will

• Perform literature reviews of the economics or transportation literature to provide analytical frameworks and information to inform the analysis.
• Develop datasets for econometric analysis, including data cleaning and addressing any data quality issues.
• Perform benefit cost analysis of regulatory, investment or other programmatic options.
• Analyze data using spreadsheets, including the use of formulas and development of graphs.
• Write programs in statistical software to calculate descriptive statistics or run regressions.
  
  

The ideal candidate: Applicants who sought out and enjoyed a rigorous curriculum and research experience are happiest with our work. Flexibility, creativity, curiosity, a willingness to take initiative, and good social skills are vital for interacting with our sponsors and your colleagues online, in the office, and in the field. Experience with and enthusiasm for transportation-related issues is a plus.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position
  
  

Conditions Of Employment

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• POSITION SENSITIVITY AND RISK: Varies by position and will be based on the position to which appointed.
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position. If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• REMOTE WORK: This position may be eligible for Remote Work. Remote work means the residence is the full-time official duty location. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule. If selected for a remote work position, you must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency standards from the approved work location within the Contiguous United States and sign a remote work agreement.
  
  

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To Qualify For The GS-07 On Experience, You Must Have At Least One Year Of Experience Equal Or Equivalent To The GS-05 It Must Include

• Experience assisting professional economists in economic research requiring the evaluation and interpretation of information using economic analytical techniques, such as regression analysis or benefit cost analysis.
• Experience gathering data, developing data sets, and supporting economic analyses.
  
  

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 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.
• 1. 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.
• 2. 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.
  
  

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To Qualify For The GS-09 On Experience, You Must Have At Least One Year Of Experience Equal Or Equivalent To The GS-07 It Must Include

• Experience conducting literature reviews and analyzing data for economic analyses using statistical software packages and spreadsheets.
• Experience gathering data, developing original data sets, and conducting economic analyses.
  
  

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of economic policy, principles, and practices, market and non-market values, and the analysis and reporting of economic data.
• Knowledge of economic techniques, including benefit cost analysis and econometrics.
• Skills in economics, i.e., research of economic phenomena, economic data analysis and the preparation of interpretive reports.
  
  

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Basic Requirements

• 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 A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
  
  

Additional information

U.S. DOT is committed to fostering an all-inclusive diverse workforce where employees feel valued for their unique backgrounds and qualities and have a sense of belonging and engagement in helping to advance transportation for the public good.

PLEASE NOTE: Current Volpe Center employees with duty stations other than Cambridge, MA may apply for this position and may remain in their current duty station, if selected. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay of the specific area. Salaries for areas are available on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code

9202(c) and 5 C.F.R

920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.

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• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

DOT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE / HAHR-50

Washington, District of Columbia 20590

United States