Economist

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office works to unleash the full potential of America's hydrocarbon and geothermal resources to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy

As an Economist, you will:

• Formulate and execute complex economic analyses, models, and reports on global oil and natural gas markets to provide strategic policy inputs and market intelligence for senior department leadership.
• Analyze and monitor U.S. hydrocarbon energy supply, demand, transportation, and stocks to deliver urgent informational updates and support federal emergency response capabilities.
• Evaluate the economic impacts of new technologies, regulatory policies, and geopolitical forces to identify shifting trends and risks across the domestic and global fossil energy supply chains.
• Lead the development, testing, and validation of quantitative economic models to ensure they accurately simulate real-world energy dynamics and changing industry practices.
• Manage complex, multi-disciplinary economic research projects by establishing study methods, planning resource requirements, coordinating team workflows, and resolving conflicting expert viewpoints.
• Serve as an authoritative technical advisor on fossil energy topics to brief senior agency officials, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and represent the Department of Energy at professional conferences.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.
• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

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.

GS-14 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 of 5 of the following:

1. Understanding of global energy markets, with particular emphasis on oil or natural gas supply, demand, trade flows, infrastructure, and pricing dynamics.
2. Using or directing the use of models, analytical methods, and quantitative tools to assess energy and economic markets, with a preference for experience in programming or computational modeling.
3. Leading or managing oil or natural gas market research projects or programs, which includes defining research objectives, establishing study methodologies, coordinating team workflows, and verifying data integrity.
4. Evaluating and interpreting the impacts of regulatory changes, government policies, new technologies, or geopolitical events on oil or natural gas market dynamics, energy security, and industry performance.
5. Preparing and presenting technical reports, policy recommendations, or strategic briefings to senior-level decision-makers (e.g., high-level government officials, corporate executives, or board members) to guide organizational strategy or policy, including the development of summary charts and graphics.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Economist positions in the 0110 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process.

Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Economics
• Project Management
• Research
• Strategic Thinking
• Written Communication

Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (07/09/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12989728

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

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