International Economist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. MP-25-033-MW Department U.S. International Trade Commission
Salary $84,601.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 11 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/19/2025 Close Date 9/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International 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

This position is located in the Office of Operations, Office of Economics, Applied Economics Division of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Economists in this division analyze the conditions of competition and pricing in U.S. industries to help determine whether they are injured by foreign imports.

This position will provide economic expertise in support of the Office of Economics, Applied Economics Division. Expertise in examining the impacts of dumped or subsidized imports is desirable. We are looking for an individual with strong economic research and analytical skills who is comfortable working in a team environment and who has demonstrated exceptional written and oral communication skills. Key to the traits for success in this organization is an individual who develops networks and alliances and has demonstrated interpersonal skills that show understanding, courtesy, tact and empathy towards others.

As an International Economist, you will perform the following major duties:

  • Identify, collect, and analyze data and information necessary to satisfy the legal requirements related to import injury investigations, in general, and issues specific to each investigation.
  • Compile large and detailed reports, qualitative and quantitative data sets, and information.
  • Establish work relationships with agency staff and external parties in order to place the collected information in context.
  • Prepare written reports, economic data compilation and analysis, and international trade-related research for reports, studies, and other Commission work products.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
  • You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain Secret Security Clearance.
  • You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a background investigation.
  • You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/1959.

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.

This occupation has a positive education and specialized experience requirement. Specifics are detailed below:

Basic Education requirement for all applicants:

Possession of bachelor's or higher degree in Economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. You are required to submit a copy of your transcript(s) to verify this requirement.

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

To qualify for the International Economist position, applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of full-time experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service (or comparable level of experience from outside the Federal service) to meet the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the International Economist, GS-11, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service that includes: 1) Collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data from primary and official data sources; 2) Experience with survey-based data collections, including developing questionnaires to gather information from first party sources; 3) Creating detailed research reports and presentations to share findings, including presentations to teammates and reviewers; and 4) Proficiency in Excel or other data analysis tools.

OR

Have completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

To qualify for the International Economist, GS-12, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service that includes: 1) Collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data from primary and official data sources; 2) Experience with survey-based data collections, including developing questionnaires to gather information from first party sources; 3) Creating detailed research reports and presentations to share findings, including presentations to internal stakeholders and management; and 4) Utilizing Excel and other data analysis tools to analyze complex datasets and translate findings into understandable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

To qualify for the International Economist, GS-13, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service that includes: 1) Collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data from primary and official data sources; 2) Leading survey-based data collections, including developing questionnaires to gather information from first party sources and identifying and correcting errors in responses; 3) Creating detailed research reports and presentations to share findings, including presentations to external stakeholders; 4) Utilizing Excel and other data analysis tools to analyze complex datasets and translate findings into understandable insights for non-technical stakeholders; and 5) Providing technical guidance on the above to lower-grade and peer economists.

Both specialized experience and/or the substitution of education for experience, must have required an in-depth understanding of international economic principles and theories, such as the interplay of economic forces of goods and services across international borders, matters of trade policy, and product or industry competitiveness.

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

Education May be Substituted for Experience as Follows:

At the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree.

At the GS-12 level: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

At the GS-13 level: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
To combine your experience and education, you must convert the figures to a percentage and add them together. The combined total percentages of your education and experience must equal at least 100% to qualify.

To calculate your percentage of undergraduate education, divide the number of undergraduate hours you've completed by 120. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours you've completed by 18. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience.

Finally, add your experience and education percentages. The two percentages must total at least 100% to be considered qualified.

You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials: http://www.naces.org/members.htm.

Additional information

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period (competitive service) or a two-year trial period (excepted service) 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Surplus or Displaced Federal Employees: The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Programs are available to federal employees that qualify. Those eligible for these programs are granted special priority selection rights. To be considered, you must be deemed well-qualified by receiving a score of 85 or higher. If you are a federal employee claiming CTAP, you must provide the documents listed under the Required Documents section to verify your eligibility. Also, you must indicate in your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For additional information regarding CTAP, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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/.

Severely disabled persons program information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/

Cover page to fax paper application - OPM Form 1203fx: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/forms/opm1203fx.pdf

Self-assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12785263

Vacancy ID number: MP-25-033-MW

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.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the announcement closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible, or your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities.

When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated, in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): This program applies to ITC employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

  1. Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
  2. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
  3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3).

Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12785263

Required Documents

To receive consideration, you must complete the self-assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by

  1. Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. If your resume goes beyond two pages, we will only consider the first two pages for the required experience as outlined in the specialized experience. It must contain the following information:
  • Name, address, telephone number, email address;
  • Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
  • If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
  • If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
  • PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination.
  • Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.

2. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles.
You must submit the following documents:
  • a copy of your agency notice;
  • a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
  • a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location

3. Cover Letter. This is optional.

4. SF-50. Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held. Award SF-50s typically don't contain your grade/step/salary.

5. Due Weight: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award 24 | Merit Promotion & Staffing Policy Personnel Handbook documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

6. Performance Appraisal. If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement.

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 complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/02/2025 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.

3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

The Vacancy ID is 12785263.

Agency contact information

Melanie West
Address
Office of Economics
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US

Next steps

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  1. After applications are received.
  2. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  3. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  4. If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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