Economist

Summary

This position resides in the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), Forecasting and Analysis Division, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Forecasting and Analysis Division has full responsibility for estimating and analyzing workloads, fees, fee collections, fee setting, and related

financial, economic, and operating parameters across the agency. Such estimates provide the basis for agency operating plans and policy.

Duties

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The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per leave year.

This position is right for you if...

• You enjoy selecting and adapting quantitative methods, practices and theories to perform analysis, interpret results, and document findings.
• You are committed to participating in major projects, and developing and completing segments of a project of limited scope to gather and examine technical problems, and explain work results.
• You thrive in participating in data gathering, analysis, and interpretation, and preparation of preliminary reports according to established procedures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Suitable for Federal Employment

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available here.

CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AS LISTED UNDER EDUCATION IN ADDITION TO SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE.

Basic Education Requirement: A. Degree: 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, 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 in the federal service.

For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-5. Specialized experience for this position includes:

GS-07:

• Experience assisting in the reviewing, drafting, and editing documents, summary material, tables, and related items; and
• Experience building models using qualitative and quantitative methods based on guidance and techniques from senior staff; and
• Experience documenting findings of analysis to discuss results with colleagues
• OR
  1 full year of graduate level education
• OR
  Superior academic achievement

GS-09:

• Experience reviewing, drafting, and editing documents, summary material, tables, and related items; and

• Experience building models using qualitative and quantitative methods based on guidance and techniques from senior staff; and
• Experience documenting findings of analysis and presenting results with colleagues

OR

2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education

OR

possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.).

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.

Education

If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

This is a Bargaining Unit position represented by 2325.

This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "moderate".

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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.

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.