Economist

Minimum Education Requirement:

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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience

Examples of qualifying experience include:

1. individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
2. supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
3. teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.

Specialized Experience:

BAND LEVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Band III (GS-11) In addition to meeting the Basic Entry Requirements above, applicants must have the experience listed below.

EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade/band (GS-9) equivalent level or Band II. Examples of specialized experience include compiling and assembling economic material; applying statistical techniques and analysis to time-series and micro data using statistical software (Stata, R, or Python); providing written analysis to communicate economic findings; preparing statistical tables and reports; conducting research and preparing preliminary write-ups of findings.

OR

EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree.

Specialized Experience:

In addition to meeting the Basic Entry Requirements above, applicants must have the experience listed below.

BAND LEVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Band IV (GS-13 Level) To qualify for the Band IV (GS-13 level), you must meet the basic requirements listed above and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12 level) or Band III. Examples of qualifying experience includes compiling and assembling economic material; applying statistical techniques and analysis to time-series and micro data using statistical software (Stata, R, or Python); providing written analysis to communicate economic findings; preparing statistical tables and reports; conducting research and preparing preliminary write-ups of findings; managing multiple projects and tasks; locating and collecting relevant data to analyze a specified problem and communicating economic concepts at various levels; conducting economic research of great importance, significance, and difficulty; advising on important agency policies and programs as well as relevant economic policies; leading interagency projects or collaborating with other statistical agencies on key economic programs.

Education: Education cannot be substituted at this band/grade level.

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.