Research Assistant

• Assist in obtaining and compiling data from Postal Service and other sources into comparable formats to be used in analysis and evaluations.
• Identify, develop, and deploy technological solutions to data indexing and analysis problems.
• Verify the mathematical accuracy of financial, economic, marketing, and statistical data and statements submitted by the Postal Service.
• Research and analyze postal regulatory practices to identify practices and regulations that could inform the work of the Commission.
• Research and analyze studies on the postal sector to identify issues of interest to the Commission.
• Promote the exchange of best practices in postal regulation.
• Write reports and provide briefings on research findings with analyses of issues of potential interest to the Commission.
• Monitor and analyze documents on postal financial, regulatory, and policy issues.
• Assist in the response to special study requests from Congress.
• Identify trends and patterns within postal service data over time.
• Detect anomalies and discrepancies in postal service data, investigating the root causes and proposing corrective actions.

Conditions of employment

• Citizenship Requirement: You must be a U.S. citizen or national to be eligible for this position.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Exempt
• e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form, this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
• Background Investigation Requirement: You must successfully pass a background investigation. Failing to pass the background check may be grounds for removal or legal action. If hired, you may be subject to additional investigations at a later time.
• Direct Deposit: You will be required to have all federal salary payments electronically deposited into a bank account with a financial institution of your choice.
• Selective Service Registration: All applicants born male, on (or after) 12/31/1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System OR have an approved exemption. Visit www.SSS.gov for more info.
• This position may require you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry and annually thereafter.
• You will be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Qualifications

To be eligible for consideration, your application materials must demonstrate that you have experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Economics, Data Analysis, or Statistics
• Strong knowledge of data analytics software, such as Python and R
• Demonstrated ability to develop interactive data apps
• Ability to draft reports and presentations explaining complex and technical projects
• Experience performing data analysis on large data sets (over 1 million observations)

To be eligible for consideration, your application materials must demonstrate that you have experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. Typically, experience will be related to legal or regulatory work at a level similar to this position and may encompass 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated by a screening panel based on evidence of your ability to successfully perform the duties of the position according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. The panel will forward the appropriate candidates to the Director of Accountability and Compliance for further consideration and possible interview.

In order for your application to be considered complete, the following documents must be submitted:

1. Cover Letter (no more than two pages)
2. Resume: For each position listed on your resume, youmust specify the following information:
   1. Start and end dates (month/year)
   2. Description of duties
   3. If the position was Federal, you must include the grade and step for each
   4. education
3. Current and former Federal employees:
   1. Submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" to indicate your current federal status. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess the years of experience required for this vacancy. You must provide additional SF-50s that clearly demonstrate that you meet the years of experience required for this vacancy.
   2. The SF-50 must show your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied. [i.e., Excepted or Competitive] Performance award, Realignment, and Detail SF-50's will not be accepted as proof of grade or tenure.
4. Veterans: If claiming Veteran's Preference, you must submit a Member-4 copy of your DD-214
   1. Disabled Veterans Disabled Veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must submit:
      1. SF-15 Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference
      2. Member-4 DD-214
      3. disability rating letter (if applicable)
   2. If you are currently on active duty to be released within 120 days, you may submit an armed forces certification in lieu of a Member-4 DD-214

Failure to provide this documentation will result in your application not receiving 10-point preference.

1. Military spouse of an Active-Duty Military Member:
   1. Marriage license
   2. A copy of your spouse's active military orders
2. Military Spouse of Separated Veteran:
   1. A copy of your marriage license
   2. A copy of the Member-4 DD-214
   3. A copy of your spouse's 100% service-connected disability letter OR document of death during active duty

You are not eligible for Military Spousal benefits if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried. Failure to provide required documentation will result in your application not receiving preference.

1. Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities:
   1. Submit a copy of your Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).

For more information on your eligibility, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/

Next steps