Summary
This position is located in the Office of the Chief Actuary, Office of Long-Range Actuarial Estimates, Headquarters Main Complex, Woodlawn, MD.
This is a career ladder position description leading to the full performance position description, Economist, GS-110-12.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
- Plans and conducts studies and projects applying economic theory and econometric techniques to the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of program planning, evaluation, and general management data.
- Produces statistical trust fund information to be used by SSA, Congress, other Federal Agencies and the general public.
- Designs and conducts economic studies to produce projections in the areas of labor force, productivity, and...
- [cont'd] National Income and Product Accounts measures of economic output to be used in projecting trust fund revenues and expenditures.
- Develops and designs computer programs necessary to produce statistical data and research reports.
- Analyzes and responds to outside studies and inquiries relating to projections of SSA revenues and expenditures, where expertise in economic theory and econometric methods are applicable.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
- Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
- Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
- Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
- Relocation expenses will not be paid
- All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Qualifications
To qualify for this GS-9 level position, you must have one of the following:
- At least Fifty-two (52) weeks of specialized experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been performed at a level equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Such experience should include using econometric, statistical or mathematical methods to assist with collecting and analyzing data for econometric analysis. OR
- 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate claimed education. OR
- A combination of graduate level coursework and specialized experience (as described above) which equals 100 percent of total requirements of this grade level. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education.
To qualify for this GS-11 level position, you must have one of the following:
- At least Fifty-two (52) weeks of specialized experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been performed at a level equivalent to the GS-9 in the Federal service. Such experience should include conducting econometric studies or analysis using econometric, statistical or mathematical methods to create projections or predictions. OR
- A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR have completed 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education. OR
- A combination of graduate level coursework and specialized experience (as described above) which equals 100 percent of total requirements of this grade level. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education
APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- A bachelor's degree or higher degree in economics which included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. NOTE: Submission of a transcript with application documents is required to qualify; OR
- A combination of education and experience which includes coursework equivalent to a major in economics (at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus) plus appropriate experience. NOTE: Submission of a transcript with application documents is required to qualify.
**Both the specialized experience AND coursework are REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume and transcripts, or you will be disqualified from further consideration.**
Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Economist Series 0110 (opm.gov)
Education
ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 21 SEMESTER HOURS IN ECONOMICS AND 3 SEMESTER HOURS IN STATISTICS, ACCOUNTING, OR CALCULUS to meet the basic educational requirements. Submission of a transcript is required to qualify.
Applicants can meet the education qualification requirement by one of the following:
-
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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Examples of qualifying experience that could be combined with education to meet this requirement include:
- individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
- supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
- 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.
Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience to be combined with education to qualify for this position.
Providing Proof of Education or Substituting Education
If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.
Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. These competencies include:
- Knowledge of economic theories, concepts, techniques, and econometric software packages.
- Knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods.
- Ability to communicate technical information orally and in writing.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12442632
Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the Assessment Questions. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
1 - Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements will NOT automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category for the Economist position announced. All preference eligibles have absolute preference within each quality category
Required Documents
You must submit supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:
- proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
- proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD-214 member 4 copy preferred) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must contain dates and show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Applicants claiming derived preference must submit the SF-15 and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received.
Note: If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days of the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by or under the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders, or higher headquarters.
For more information visit the Vet Guide.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume
- The Occupational Questionnaire
- Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents section)
The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight (EST) on 07/05/2024.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact OPE Staffing OCACT at OPE.Staffing.OCACT@ssa.gov or 410-965-1234.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
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