INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIST (RESEARCH ASSISTANT)

Summary An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Trade Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases; and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life. Duties MAJOR DUTIES Develop data collection instruments, compile and validate datasets from multiple sources, and ensure accuracy, consistency, and methodological integrity of economic information used in agency studies. Monitor economic trends, industry developments, and policy changes to identify emerging issues requiring analysis and recommend areas for further research. Contribute to the expansion, modification, or refinement of ongoing studies by incorporating new data, adjusting analytical frameworks, and documenting methodological changes. Coordinate with internal staff and external stakeholders including other federal agencies, industry representatives, academic experts, and international contacts to obtain specialized information and clarify technical matters. Draft technical memoranda, background papers, and briefing materials that support senior officials in decision-making, strategic planning, and responses to statutory requirements. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship is Required. You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service. Selectee must pass successfully complete a background investigation. Selectee must obtain and maintain Secret Clearance. Qualifications You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position. Economist Series 0110 Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements 1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience obtained in the private or public sector that is equivalent to the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is defined as Applying economic theory and econometric methods to independently plan and execute complex economic research using primary and secondary data sources. Conducting statistical analyses (e.g., regression, time-series, or forecasting techniques) using statistical software such as R, Stata, SAS, or similar tools. Designing research approaches, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, interpreting and explaining significant or subtle data variations, and modifying analytical procedures to address unexpected conditions. Presenting clear, well-supported findings to inform policy, legislative, or program decisions is essential. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree 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 Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. GS-11: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree if related; or you may combine specialized experience and graduate level education which totals at least 100 percent. (school transcript required by closing date) School transcript(s) All transcripts must be fully legible at the time of submission. Illegible, blurred, incomplete, or altered documents will not be reviewed. The reviewer will not modify, enhance, interpret, or alter any submitted documents for the purpose of determining qualifications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are clear and readable prior to submission. Foreign Education If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html 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 an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). 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. Additional information As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Employment of Relatives Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302 Work Life Balance USITC offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.). This position is telework eligible. Background Investigation To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the USITC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation for a Secret Clearance. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. USITC will conduct an interim security clearance, pending the completion of the full investigative requirements for the final Secret clearance. The interim security clearance will be granted based on the favorable completion of preliminary checks that are accomplished as part of the security clearance process. The agency may rescind the tentative offer, if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance. Selective Service If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/. Reasonable Accommodations This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process. Vacancy ID number: DH-26-015-DF Additional Selections may be made for similar positions at USITC. by applying, you agree to have your resume shared with any interested selecting officials. 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 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.