Economist/Statistician (Economics)

Summary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other federal agencies, state and local governments, business, and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is with the U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Field Operations, Division of Compensation Programs.

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled either as an Economist or Statistician (Economics).

This position is inside the bargaining unit. 

Duties include but are not limited to:

Makes arrangements preparatory to obtaining data from enterprises for which the collection of data is expected to be straight forward and uncomplicated and requires the application of conventional methods. Applies standard practices and techniques to the solicitation of data and reports information in accordance with survey requirements. Performs routine analysis of collected information in order to discover and rectify common discrepancies. Work requires the application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria to a sequence of related collection tasks. Atypical situations are referred to the supervisor for further instruction. For training and development purposes, assignments may include some segments or aspects of work that are typically at a higher level.

Makes follow-up contact to respondents providing data to ensure accurate and timely survey results. While most data requirements are straight forward, some analysis is necessary to ensure that the data reported are accurate.

Prepares end-of-survey reports which provide a synopsis of collection experiences and recommendations for survey improvement.

Responds to queries from respondents for BLS information by providing them with the salient publications, assisting in interpretation where appropriate, or referring them to appropriate regional staff.

Travel Required

75% or less - Travel by any means of government or public transportation may be required.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the need for an employee promoted to the higher level, and supervisory approval.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Requires a valid drivers license.

Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.

Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

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.
Statistician (Economics), GS-1530:  A) Degree that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing. OR B) A combination of education and experience - courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
In addition to the Basic Requirement:
Specialized Experience:

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5. Specialized experience should include a thorough range of complex economic professional work. Some examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
GS-7 : Sampling, collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data; applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
OR
Education Substitution:
GS-7 : 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.
3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. A list of acceptable honor societies can be found

OR

Combination of specialized experience and education

Education

Please see the Qualifications section for the education requirements for this position.

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

Explanation of Evaluation Factors (Competencies)
All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies: 

Customer Service  - Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations. 

Decision Making/Problem Solving - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.

Interpersonal Skills  - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others. 

Self Management  - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. 

Technology Application and Management - Uses machines, tools, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format. 

Writing  - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. 

Economic Data Management and Analysis  - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. 

Product Oversight and Improvement  - Knowledge of methods for researching and analyzi...