Economist (STEM - Direct Hire)

Summary

This position is in the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD), Policy Analysis Staff (PAS). The PAS is responsible for a wide variety of economic analyses concerning FSIS polices and regulatory activities. The incumbent will conduct policy analyses and regulatory (cost-benefit) analyses. Incumbent will also review food safety policy and identify areas requiring development and/or improvement of FSIS policies. Projects are complex, FSIS-wide, and may involve multiple agencies.

Duties

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• Lead economic analyses of FSIS policies and regulatory activities for complex, mission-critical initiatives.
• Conduct cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses for proposed and existing regulations and use findings to inform FSIS-wide policy decisions.
• Formulate and guide major research projects that address complex economic problems with limited precedent, taking full technical responsibility for interpretation and application of findings.
• Assess impacts of major rulemaking on production costs, public health benefits, government expenditures, small/very small businesses, and other variables, and communicate results clearly in writing and orally.
• Apply advanced economic theories and methods (risk assessment, cost-effectiveness, supporting statistics) to FSIS programs; innovate new methods when accepted approaches are insufficient.
• Use statistical software to analyze and interpret large, complex data sets with rigorous quality control.
• Mentor and advise staff; review work and direct the application of new methods and approaches across programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and education, as defined below.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE SERIES

A. Degree: In Economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in Economics and 3 semester hours in Statistics, Accounting, or Calculus.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in Economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Please refer to the Individual Occupation Requirements: Here

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

GS-14: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience must include at least 5 of the 6 below in your resume:

• Determining assignment requirements by conducting research on analytic models and methods for a regulatory impact analysis (RIA) and CBA under governmental instruction such as EO 12866, preferably in the food manufacturing sector;
• Implementing economic research assignments by finding relevant examples of similar studies, utilizing existing methods, but when novel approach is required and acting as the sole economist;
• Leading the development of research questions and recognizing additional or novel information may need to be collected or generated to complete an analysis, e.g. developing a questionnaire, conducting a survey, amending or expanding data sets;
• Leading self and teams in research and analysis of regulations, policy, or other complex topics;
• Developing documentation and reports supporting the economic analysis of policy or regulations to leadership.
• Presenting an economic study or research to internal and external leadership.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Note: This position has a positive degree requirement or education that forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

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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.