Senior Research Economist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 26-12932174-NS Department Treasury, Departmental Offices
Salary $151,661.00 to $228,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/30/2026 Close Date 5/30/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Serves as a Senior Research Economist in the Office of Tax Analysis (OTA), reporting to the Director of the Office of Tax Analysis. Provides authoritative leadership on Federal tax policy and economic analysis, directing high-impact studies that inform Administration priorities. Advises senior officials, represents OTA in interagency forums, and addresses complex, precedent-setting issues shaping the development and implementation of Federal tax policy.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Duties

1. Directs: Analyzes, evaluates the need for, and initiates, plans, and develops a wide range of special economic and econometric studies under tight deadlines. These studies consider complex interrelationships of economic variables and generally involve micro-simulation modeling, econometric analysis, and/or general equilibrium modeling to better understand behavioral responses to changes in tax policy. These studies form the basis for Special Analyses prepared by OTA and required for Federal tax regulations. Collaborates with the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Analysis), the OTA Director, division directors, and attorneys in the Office of Tax Policy and IRS to implement Administration tax policies. Reviews Special Analyses for publication with Federal tax regulations.

2. Estimates: Plans and coordinates the estimation of economic effects, compliance costs, and revenue impacts of Federal tax regulations, often under tight deadlines, for publication as Special Analyses. Provides briefings and reports to the Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy), OTA leadership, Treasury offices, and other Federal agencies, including the Council of Economic Advisers and OIRA. Furnishes authoritative economic, statistical, and technical information and provides clear, non-technical explanations to support policy decisions. Advises on factors such as tax rates, transition relief, and the reliability of estimates.

3. Methodology: Develops and advances analytical and estimating methodologies, directing research to improve approaches and accuracy. Oversees testing, refinement, and development of models, data sets, and procedures to assess the economic effects of tax regulations. Establishes workflows to deliver timely, authoritative analyses and ensures methods align with Administration priorities, available resources, and advancements in analytical techniques.

4. Advice: Stays current on developments in economics, public finance, and tax policy through research and professional engagement. Provides expert advice to Office of Tax Policy leadership and staff to enhance methodologies and assumptions underlying economic, compliance, and revenue estimates. Participates in conferences and supports recruitment of economists and related professionals through application review and interviews.

5. Liaison: Supports Treasury leadership in engagements with Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) by providing technical expertise on tax regulation analyses. Advises senior officials on the basis and implications of economic estimates and responds to interagency inquiries with authoritative analysis. Represents the Department in interagency forums to coordinate Federal tax policy initiatives affecting multiple agencies.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Must meet the basic education requirements for the Economist Series, 0110, which include a degree in economics with at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • A one-year probationary period is required, if not previously completed.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
  • File a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of appointment (or prior to entry on duty, if required) and annually thereafter.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

To qualify for the position of Senior Research Economist, you must meet the following requirements:

EDUCATION:

  • Possess either (a) a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in economics which includes at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus; or
  • Possess (b) a combination of education and experiences courses equivalent to a major in economics as shown in (a) plus appropriate experience or additional education.
RESUME: Applicants must submit a resume not to exceed two pages that clearly demonstrates the Technical Qualifications (TQs) associated with the position. The resume must reflect substantive evidence of senior-level experience, accomplishments, and expertise aligned to the TQs. Failure to demonstrate these qualifications within the prescribed two-page limit will result in a determination of ineligibility and removal from further consideration.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Applicants must demonstrate the Technical Qualifications (TQs) for this position within a resume not to exceed two pages. The TQs assess senior-level experience directly related to the requirements of the position. The resume must clearly reflect demonstrated accomplishments and progressively responsible, senior-level experience aligned to the TQs listed below.

TQ 1 - Expert knowledge of economic and statistical studies that form the basis for analyses required for Federal tax regulations.

TQ 2 - Expert knowledge of estimation of economic effects, compliance costs and revenue effects of Federal tax regulations.

TQ 3 - Demonstrated senior-level experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder processes related to tax policy or regulatory development, including collaboration with IRS, RAAS, Counsel, OMB, and senior leadership, with responsibility for managing timelines and ensuring alignment with policy and program objectives.

Please DO NOT submit separate narrative statements addressing the TQs.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Provides priority to eligible veterans. Applicants must meet eligibility, be qualified, and submit required documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-15).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): These programs provide selection priority to eligible displaced Federal employees. To receive priority, applicants must meet ICTAP or CTAP eligibility requirements, be found well-qualified, and submit all required documentation at the time of application. Well-qualified applicants receive priority over other candidates. For more information, visit OPM's Career Transition Assistance Programs at https://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers for current or former political appointees. If you currently are, or have been within the past five years, a Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES, or Presidential appointee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this on your resume and to Human Resources.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodation during the application process should follow the instructions in the job announcement; for later stages, contact the hiring agency directly. Requests are evaluated case by case. A reasonable accommodation is a change to the job, work environment, or process that enables equal access to employment and benefits.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.
This position requires personnel vetting, including a background investigation and enrollment in Continuous Vetting upon onboarding, which involves ongoing automated record checks throughout employment. The selectee will also be enrolled in the FBI's Rap Back service, enabling Treasury to receive near real-time notifications of criminal activity (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions).

Please review the three hyperlinks of your rights. (Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov)

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.

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.

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.

Your resume will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your application will be referred to and evaluated by an executive panel. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and/or be asked to provide a list of references or additional documents to confirm eligibility.

The Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results of the evaluation and make a written recommendation on the final selections to the appointing authority. Unless you have already been certified by the OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) in the past or received certification by an OPM approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program, your qualifications must be certified by an OPM QRB before appointment may occur.

If the selected candidate does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the individual will be required to undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM to determine that you meet the leadership competencies required to serve as a member of the SES.

REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents, please ensure the resume DOES NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.

Additional information about the SES and Executive Core Qualifications is available at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/#url=Overview

Required Documents

**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************

1. RESUME: The SL hiring process requires applicants to submit a two-page resume. Additional pages will not be considered. The resume must include sufficient detail to support a qualification determination, including position titles, employment dates, work schedule (full-time/part-time or hours per week), and, for federal positions, series and grade level. It should clearly demonstrate relevant experience, education, and accomplishments aligned to the required Technical Qualifications (TQs).

2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

  • SF-50: Current and former federal employees must submit an SF-50 verifying eligibility (preferably the most recent); award SF-50s will not be accepted. Current Career SES members and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility must provide an SF-50 reflecting career SES status.
  • Veteran's Preference: Applicants claiming Veterans' preference must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4 or equivalent) showing service dates and discharge status. Those claiming 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 with supporting documentation (e.g., VA disability letter). Active duty members may provide a certification or statement of service in lieu of a DD-214.
  • Derived Veteran's Preference: Applicants claiming derived Veterans' preference must submit an SF-15 and supporting documentation, including the veteran's DD-214, VA disability letter (if applicable), and proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate).
  • ICTAP/CTAP: Applicants claiming ICTAP/CTAP eligibility must submit: (1) a separation/RIF notice or agency certification, (2) the most recent performance rating (at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent), and (3) the most recent SF-50 showing position, grade, and duty location.
  • Candidate Development Program Certificate: SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) graduates that have not been appointed to the SES must submit a copy of their OPM QRB Certification. This document should be uploaded under the "other document type" field.
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must approve employment offers for current or former political appointees. Applicants who have served in the past five years as a Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES, or Presidential Appointee must disclose this on their resume and to HR.
  • Education Documentation: Applicants are not required to submit transcripts for this initial phase of the application process. Applicants will be referred for consideration based on their self-certification. If you are selected for a position, you will be required to submit official transcripts verifying your qualifications prior to a job offer being issued.
Applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to verify eligibility and application information. Failure to submit requested documents within the specified timeframe may result in withdrawal of an offer or removal from consideration.

Applicants who do not submit all required documents will be rated "Incomplete" and will not be considered. Faxed, emailed, or mailed application materials will not be accepted.

NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL DOCUMENTATION BY 11:59 P.M. EST ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

2. Follow the prompts to select your resume to be included with your application package. Your uploaded resume may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.


3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

4. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

Agency contact information

Nieva Satcher

Next steps

You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status". For a more detailed update of your application status, you may click on "more information."

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Treasury, Departmental Offices

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a distinguished history dating back to the founding of our nation. As the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, Treasury is a major and influential leader in today's global economy. We have over 100,000 employees across the country and around the world. Come Join the Department of the Treasury and Invest in Tomorrow.

Agency contact information

Nieva Satcher